The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-05
TO INVESTIGATE
 CHARGE AGAINST HEALTH OFFICER
West End Woman States Dr. Bowling Was Dis
 courteous To Her

A petition requesting an investiga- tion of charges by a prominent West End woman, whose name is withheld for the present, that Dr. J. D. Dowl- ing, health officer, treated her with "extreme discourtesyp when she sought information concerning what she term ed the "ever-changing milk regula- tions," is shortly to be, presented to the board of health, it became known Mon day.
 Her charges already have been laid before Dr. H. s. Ward, president of the health board, and several city officials. ,Dr. Ward said he would take the mat ter up with Dr. Bowling, and that the board would give it's close consideration to any petition or complaint that is filed.
 q phoned Dr. Bowling" the West End woman told officials, "to ask why my dairyman had been deprived of his permit. He said the dairyman had not complied with the requirements. l asked what were the requirements and Dr. Bowling replied, that's none of your business,' and hung up the phone abruptly. I then called Dr. Bowling at his office and asked why he had been so rude over the phone. He of fered to apologize, but Itold him I had made up my mind to give the facts to his superiors, inasmuch as I had been informed that other women had been shown the same treatment.
 Would Avoid Publicity
 "When I phoned Dr. Ward, he counseled against any publicity, saying that Dr. Bowling had been having much trouble with dairymen and that he probably didn't realize whom he was talking to or what he was saying. Then I took the matter up with Presi- dent D. E. McLendon and Commis- sioner W. B. Cloe. They were sympa- thetic, but told me they had no ajl- thority over Dr. Bowling and could take no action. Incidentally, they told me they did not use pasteurized milk and never intended to. Pasturezided milk has never been used in. my fam fly, and we have always enjoyed good health. Dr. Bowling changes the standards so often that it is almost impossible for the dairymen to know where they stand or for their customers to know one day whether they will be allowed to come back the next day. However, immediately after my call at Dr. DOwling's office, my dairyman was given back his permit. This shows, in my judgment, that something other than interest in health caused his per- init to be revoked in the first place"
 Conference Held
 Milk. patrons in West End, after hearing of this woman's complaint, held a series of conferences and decided to ask the board for a full investigation, it was said. There were indications that the fight would come to a climax within a few days. A. group of dairy men, who have been fighting Dr. DOwl- ing's regulations, will join in the fight.
 President McLendon and Commits, sioner Cloe said they recalled the com plaint of the West End woman.
 "She told me- McLendOn said, "that Dr. Bowling had insulted her and that she and other women did not intend to stand for it. I explained to her that the city commission had no jurisdiction over Dr. Bowling or the health de- pertinent"
 Dr. Bowling was absent from the city Monday and could not be reached for a statement. It was said at his office that he was spending few days with relatives in Ozark. t.