The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-22
MILK COMMISSION NOT NEEDED HERE, AUTHORITIES SAY
Grocers' Plan Would Re- quire Act Of Legisla-
 ture, Declare Officials

| It would take an act of the state | legislature to create Q milk commission to settle differences between dairymen and the constituted health authorities, officials of the board of health said Tuesday in commenting on the request made of the city commission by the Retail Grocers and Butchers associa- tion. t- 4 iS
 Secretary B. c. Apperson and c. M. Lane presented resolutions adopted by the association and asked the commis- sion to create the milk board. At the same time they heartily indorsed the work of the department of health and announced that the association opposed the "stabilization" ordinance advocated by 28 raw milkmen.
 Health officials said that milk com mission would have to be composed of health experts in order to function prop erly, and that great deal would de- pend on it's personnel.
 I It was pointed out that dairymen now have the right of appeal to the board of health, the state board and to court of law, and that no further avenues of appeal are needed. The food and dairy division of the health department deals with grocers and butchers in the same way as with dairy men and has never had any trouble with them, nor have the grocers and butchers ever found it necessary to go before an appeal board of any kind. | Law Enforced ..
 'The pure food law is being, en- forced" said statement issued at health headquarters, land the depart ment of health is having no trouble. The milk code also is being closely Oba served by 80 per cent of the dairymen, and all the trouble has originated with small group of milk operators who for months have been trying to tie the hands of the health authorities
 The city commission laid the grocers and butchers petition over until Health Commissioner Echols recoyers from her illness
 Following is the petition:
 Whereas, there is now pending be- fore the board of city commissioners of Birmingham an ordinance relating to the marketing of raw milk in the city of Birmingham which ordinance has been presented by faction of the milk producers of this section now, and for some time past, engaged in constant strife with the department of health ; and,
 Whereas, the frequent promulgation of new rules and regulations affecting milk production and the constant pickering between the producers on one hand, and the bureau of milk and dairy inspection on the other, tend to keep the public mind in a constant state of | distrust, doubt and dissatisfaction with most important and necessary article of food; and,
 "Whereas, this state of affairs also tends to dissuade prospective invest ment in dairy cattle and equipment rec Ognized as highly desirable in view of the inadequate production, therefore, be it
 Back Health Office
 'Resolved, That this association here by formally and emphatieally expresses itself in hearty approval of all measures of the health department calculated tC better protecting the health of our peo- pie and particularly does it approve the care and pains taken in safeguarding the milk supply and we do not approve the adoption by the city commission of the ordinance now pending before that body regarding the production of raw milk, but recognizing the desira- bility of putting the production and marketing of this product on a stable and permanent basis, from a business, as well as a sanitary point of view, we desire to recommend to the honorable city commission of the city of Birming- ham that some form of legislation be had establishing a basis for the stable and permanent business operation of this important branch of industry and suggest for it's consideration the crea- tion of a milk commission with such advisory or executive authority as may be deemed wise.
 "In the judgment of this association, such commission should be composed of representatives of:
 First, the board of health
 Second, the housewives of Birming- ham;
 Third, the dairy industry Ca practi- cable dairyman actively engaged in pro ducing milk);
 Third, the business or civic interests of the city of Birmingham. :.
 "An organization carefully planned along the lines above outlined with ad- visory powers regarding milk legislation and regulations and probably with ex- ecutive powers to settle arguments be- tween the milk inspection bureau of the health department and the producing dairymen would furnish a court of ap- peal to the latter and one which pro- spective investors in this industry could lok to for stable and dependable pol icy of regulation.