The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-10-01
BlJIMER ANSWERS.
BEDDOW CHARGES
Dairy Chief Says Attor-
ney Did Not Stick To
Facts In Argument

Charges made against L. c. Bulmer,
chief Of the health departments food
and dairy division, by Attorney Rod
crick Beddow in his argument before
the city commission in behalf of the
milk code amendments sponsored by a
group of raw milk dairymen, drew
heavy fire and an emphatic denial from
Mr.. Bulmer Tuesday night.
Bulmer issued this statement:
1.-THE attorneys for small group
of dairymen having made me the butt
in an apparently very unseemly re-
sentation of the alleged woes of their
clients at a city commission session al
which / was not present, newspaper re
ports quote Attorney Roderick Beddow
as directly charging me with lie in
: addition to such tactics as barterIne
and trading. The health commissioner
was fortunately able to quickly remove
the foundation on watch the charge
of bartering and trading stood, but II
appears desirable to Thoroughly clear
the situation by presenting the facts
concerning which the charge of Il lie
was hurled by Mr.. EeGuow.
Judge Hugh A. Locke and Rodder-
lex Beddow visited my office In the
health department aboIt september !
for the purpose of dis. .ussing the milk
question from the angle that concerned
their clients, certain group demand
ing modification of the milk code re-
iquirements.: Judge Locke stated that
in his opinion ii was undesirable 70
fight out the milk problem in the
press and that ne felt that already
far. too much publicity had been given
the matter. Mr.. Beddow stated to
Judge Locke an ny presence, mad
yisedly or otherwise. that legal fight
had never been won in the newspapers
and that he thought it would be good
idea, for both sides to give out nc
further information to the press. II
this could be agreed upon, he intimateC
that he and Judge Locke might feel DIS
posed to go 20 the extent Of taking the
public health interest into consideration
and endeavor 10 frame the proposed
amendments in such, manner as to meet
their clients demands with as little
embarrassment to the health depart
ment as they could arrange under the
circumstances. Feeling that the matter
in question was to be regarded from
the standpoint of the board of health
as one of grave public concern, rather
than legal battle to be settled on
points of law or by arbitrary agree
merits, l asked the two attorneys, who
ats the time was in his private office
MI. Beddow stated they had not for
the treason that they believed it would
be- difficult to influence the views OF
DR. Bowling.
Wide Open Policy
VI stated that was obliged to carry
out the policy of DIR. Bowling, and that
his directions were to throw open, at
all times, public records to press rem.
resentatives and allow them to judge
suchNinformation and news to which the
public was entitled. l also explained
that. newspaper reporters visited the
health department twice daily and that
j should feel obligated to answer any
questions asked about the milk situa
tion. i made, however, a definite state
meht, which l felt would meet DIR
Dowling's approval, that the department
would not purposely precipitate a mill
fight, and in fact would deplore ami
kind of fight which would be liabl,
to yjeopardize proper private enter
prises or the milk industry of this city
1T sthL- statement was misconstrued as
an assurance concerning the n0n-publi'
cation of public records as to the true
status of certain milk peddlers who had
not met the legal requirements and who
are at present agitating to impair en-
fOrcement of such requirements, for the
purpose of stabilizing their traffic.
very much regret it.
"For the enlightment of Mr. Beddow,
and in order that in future he may use
more discretion before coloring his ora
lions by branding public officials as
liars it may be stated that the matter
was purely one of misunderstanding on
his part that the set policy of the board
of health is as open to the public for
review as are its official records, but
that l am merely a servant of the city
of Birmingham and the board of health
employed to assist in executing a sci
policy, which have no power t.
change nor authority to ignore. 1t is
to be hoped that the next time Mr.. Bed
dow has occasion to make a bargain, h,
will seek to do so through the proper
authorities"