The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-06
ME: n.
REQUEST
PROBE
Legislation Sought TO Prevent
Sale Of Food by Firms
Not Preparing 4

Legislation 70 eQuallx9 lunCn-
room competition between restau-
rants and establishments which
carry food as . side-line will be
asked by the Washington Restau.
rant Owners Association, Presi-
dent Frank p. Fenwick declared
today.
Mr.. Fenwick tomorrow will con-
fer with Senator =. Heisler Balb
chairman OF the Senate District
committe In connection with the
proposed law.
La Receptive Mood.
Restaurant owners have previous
~ taken up this question with Doc.
tor William C. Fowler and other Of.
ficials Of the District Health De.
partment, and say they found the
municipal authorities in a receptive
mood for such q measure.
Under the present health regula-
tons, licenses to sell food may be
granted to cigar stores, drug stores,
and other establishments purchasing
these supplies from outside sources.
AS long az the food Is not prepared
on the premises where 1t is sold.
the regulations specify, the law per-
tanning to control OF restaurants
does not apply.
saThe restaurant men of Washing.
ton are only seeking justice" said
Mr.. Fenwick today. I'VE are
obliged to buy the best Of food. TO
incur a great overhead by keeping
our kitchens In immaculate condl'
ton and by serving the food In a
100 per cent sanitary way.
"At the same time. we are
forced to compete, with places that
buy their supplies from Heaven
knows.where, and do not have to
comply with the strict regulations
laid down for restaurants. These
councillors of ours are able to buy
a large supply Of a limited variety
Of foods at one time, and so dis
pose of them at the smallest
possible margin or profit"
Allegations Made. Too.
Mrs. Fenwick declared 1t Is not
unusual, in small groceries and
delicatessens, for the proprietor 10
sell kerosene, kindling wood, or
some other commodit" md then.
without cleansing his hands, proceed
to the preparation OF sandwiches
coffee. or salads.
This Is not pipe dream" de.
clared the restaurateurs' chief.
"This Is a fact, related IN me
r. r. Ashworth, head of the local
food inspectors, can vouch for what
say in this connection.
"As for the drug stores and
cigar stores, and all other kinds
Of stores, licensed primarily to sell
other lines of goods, they cannot
but realize that they are guilty Of
a breach Of ethics in invading the
field Of the restaurant men,"
Recent Meet Held.
Mr.. Fenwick stated that recently
a conference on this subject YVES
held in the District building, and
was attended by restaurant men.
spectors and others interested. He
said that the officials in charge CT
the "eat-and.run" restaurants ac.
knowledged that they had no ethical
right to deal in food, but would
continue because 1t was profitable
and because such sale was sane.
toned by law.
II do not know how long Wash
ington restaurants can continue 10
operate effectively under present
conditions" Mr.. Fenwick said, "but
I know that many of the members
of the Restaurant Owners Associa-
ton are suffering financial incon-
venience and harrassment because
Of an intolerable state of affairs
which just and fair.minded Con-
gress' can readily remedy"