The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-28
MILK DEALERS DENOUNCE PLAN
 TO AMEND CODE
Backward Step, Health Office Says-Action
 Due Monday

The Raw Milk Dealers association, which is seeking to amend the milk code and stabilize" the dairy indus try, ran into trouble Saturday when another group of raw milkmen de- nounced the movement in a petition to the city commission and strongly urged against any change in existing regula- tions, which were described as reason able, just, adequate and in the best interest of the raw milk business and the public health."F
 These dairymen will formally present their petition Monday morning, wher the commission hears arguments fol and against the proposed changes. Tn, board of health, which is vigorousl! fighting the measure, and 106 othe dairymen who are backing the board will be represented. The health board reasons for it's opposition have beer prepared in writing and will be reaC at the opening of the haring. Adoption of the amendments would involve tht code in hopeless maze of technical ities and seriously impair enforcement, the board will charge.
 Saturdays developments, coming on the eve of the open hearing, apparently took much of the fight out of the raw milkmen's association. Its members had not figured that opposition would emanate from their own fellow-work CTS. The opposition group, it was learned, organized quietly and kept Its plans secret until it was ready to file it's petition with the commission.
 Arguments MOhdAy
 Indications are that the commission will hear all the arguments Monday and take final action on the proposed amendments at it's Tuesday meeting.
 Declaring that more than 70 per cent of the established dairymen of Jefferson county are fighting the so- called rehabilitation" ordinance, l.. C. Bulmer, chief of the food and dairy di vision of the health department, warned in a strong statement that the pro posed amendments, if adopted, would mark backward step" and that the milk supply would be endangered.
 Bulmer said it was ''pitiful that 8 small group of dairymen should be SC far lacking of enlightment on matters vitally concerning their interests as tC instigate legal proceedings that will probably cost much more than it would take to bring their dairy premises up tC standards and in compliance with the law as it now stands" He said the health departments doors were wide open to all dairymen who would meet us fifty fifty in a program to keeT the milk supply pure.
 The petition of the raw milkmen op posed to the "stabilization" measure read as follows:
 Whereas, there is a movement or foot by restricted group of raw milk dealers to amend the milk code of the city of Birmingham, and
 Whereas, it is felt that the milk code has unmistakably demonstrated its usefulness and thoroughness from both the standpoint of protecting the public health and that of stabilinzing the raw milk industry, and
 Whereas. it is felt that the require ments of the milk code are not discrim inatory but are reasonable, just anC adequate, and in no way conflict witt the best interests of the raw milk in dustry, and
 "Whereas, it is felt that the best ant only way to stabilize and protect tn, future status of the raw milk busi ness in the city of Birmingham is tt abide by the highest standards anC health safeguards in keeping with sue eessful practice.
 We, the undersigned raw milk pro ducers and distributors, are opposed t the adoption of the proposed amend ments and desire to take this means O bringing before the city commission ant the citizens of Birmingham the fac that we are in no way associated or il sympathy with sO-called Raw Mill Dealers association. or any group o persons seeking modification of tin provisions of the present milk code which if adopted would tend to prepet uate agitation and impair the conf dence of the public in the milk suppl of this city, which is absolutely essen tial to the success of the dairy indus try. We pledge continued support ant cooperation in maintaining the stand ards and requirements as provided il the milk code and to the department o health in it's efforts to enforce tn same
 Many Signatures
 This petition was signed by w. B Baker and Son, l.. w. Burt, J. D. Wat kins and Son, the White Dairy, B. M Holcombe, j. l. w. Pool and SonPE l.. Wilkinson Dairy Co.,, w. Roe. c lC. Roscoe, w. M Rocket. Valle