The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-06
DOCTORS LEAGUE SOUNDS WARNING IN MILK BATTLE Say Code Changes Would Open Way Here For
 Epidemics DECLARE CHTLDREN'S LIVES ENDANGERED Health Authorities Now Backed By All Med-
 ical Bodies


 amendments sponsored by a small group --of raw milk ,dairymen would render un- safe the raw milk supply of this community and make pos sible the return of typhoid and colitis epidemics," declares a statement made public Sunday by the executive committee of the Physicians Civic league of Jefferson county, whose mem Ibership embraces practically every doctor in the Birming- ham district.
 Declaring that the lives of many children will depend upon the "uncom. promising stand" of the city commits sion on the question, the executive committees statement says
 We implore the citizens of this city to oppose the proposed revision of the present milk laws. Acceptance of these amendments by tlse city com mission would render unsafe the raw milk supply of this community and make possible the return of typhoid and colitis epidemics, It is not the intention of the health authorities to bring about the pasteurisatton of all milk, but on the contrary, to insure pan simple, clean aud safe raw milk supply which cannot De assured by A health depaftmant powfFleAs te ell: f0nee It's Feeulnfipns.
 we make this non n.partisan ap- neal particularly in the interest of the children of the district, many of whose lives will depend upon the un- compromising stand of the city com mission on this queati0n."
 Statement Signed
 The statement was signed by nll members of the executive committee :: Dr. D. F. Talley, chairman, and the following physicians Nat G. Clark, Scale Harris, J. M. Mason, Stewart IT. welch, M. ?. Stiles, Lloyd Noland and M. Y. Dabney.
 The leagues firm stand against the so-caIled sstabilization" ordinance, fol- lowed closely the action of the board of health, the medical milk commission and group of leading baby specialists in denouneing the proposed measure and urging it's defeat in the interest of the health of the community.
 It was reported that still other or ganizations are preparing to act in opposition to the proposed ordinance. Already, it has been opposed by every medical organization in the district. Civic organizations may next take q hand, it is said.
 The proposed ordinance was presented to the city commission sev- eral days ago, and Police Commissioner W. B. Cloe made an effort to have it passed without reference to the board of health. His move was defeated, and the commission will hold further hearing as soon as Health Commission CT Mary Echols recovers from her ill- ness. Cloe has announced he will re- new his motion to pass the ordinance. s Sees No Health Menace
 Street Commissioner W. E. Dickson. at the first hearing. spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance, declaring he saw nothing in it that would menace the public health, However, he refused to support Cloe's motion for immediate passage, and promised to give careful consideration to the health boards side of the question. None of the other commissioners have made their posi- tions known except Mrs. EchOls. She is against the measure, and it is re- ported at city hall that President Me- Lendon and Commissioner W. l.. liar rison will side with her.
 The hoard of health has prepared a statements outlining it's reasons for op- posing the measure. Copies have been given commission members The board asserts that the raw milk group be- hind the ordinance are trying to tear down the health structure of the city and impair enforcement of the legal regulations.
 Representative of approximately 80 per cent of the dairymen of the city, including as many raw milk operators as are supporting the "stabiliza tion" have taken a similar position.
 The medical milk commission has pointed out in a statement that the city commission has no technical knowledge of milk operations and that 1t should not ''go over the head of the health department and adopt the p9o- p0se3 ordinance. The board of health has charged that the measure was drafted by persons either totally ignor- ant of health conditions or unmindful of the obligation due the people of Birmfngham to keep ieir milk supply pure.
 Judge Hugh Locke and Roderick Beddow, attorneys for the raw milk grou, made their arguments before the commission at the first hearing. The opposition of the health authorities, which is gaining support daily from various quarters, is expected to bring about fhe defeat of the measure.