Evening star., 1935-02-03
FEDERATION ASKS
D. c. RESIDENT AS
HEALTH OFFICER
Citizens Associations Vote
to Uphold Rigid Milk
Standards.
TOWNSEND PENSION
PLAN is OPPOSED
Delegates Hear Strong Arguments
That Local Men Are Capable Of
Filling Fowler Post.

Selection of a bona flde District
resident for the post of District
health officer was urged last night by
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions in resolution opposing appoint
ment of a nonresident who would
devote part of his time as professor
on the staff of local medical school.
This action grew out OF debate
over the proposal of Commissioner
George E. Allen for an amendment
of the District milk act to permit
the Commissioners to import So-called
unlicensed" milk from other juriS-
dictions in a move designed to pre-
vent a boost in the retail price OF
milk here.
The federation went on record op-
posing any weakening of the present
rigid standards as to the quality OF
milk now allowed to be reta1ed IN
the National Capital.
Rejects Townsend Plan.
The federation also rejected the
Townsend plan, which would grant
pensions of 5000 month to all per-
sons over 60 years OF age, the re-
uuirement being that the benehclarles
spend all the monthly pensions wltnln
80 days for goods or services.
This resolution, presented by
Thomas E. Lodge, chairman OF ire
Committee on Laws and Legislation,
declared: This plan is economical
ly unsound, impossible OF honest ad-
ministration, destructive OF the IN
centive to real independence. and the
virtue of thrift, and would create an
irresponsible class, which would be
required by law to spend the remain
der of their lives on a prolonged spree
at the expense of the taxpayers.
The Commissioners have rendered
the post of District Health officer to
DR.. George C. Ruhland, now health
commissioner of Syracuse, N. Y. He
now receives a net salary of $500,
his basic salary being $4,000 year.
Because of deficiency in the Health
Department appropriation, his salary
here this year and next would be but
$500. The medical school staH post
would pay 1000.
Claim Others Qualified.
George E. Sullivan moved. and the
federation adopted resolution, which
would require that the health ofncer
devote his full time to District prob
lens, and that the man selected be a
bona fide resident of the District for
five years preceding his appointment.
Other members of the association as
serted there are at least 20 physicians
in Washington qualified to handle the
post. and one said there is one man
now in the health Office competent to
handle the job.
Fred A. Emery, representative of the
Society of Natives, supporting these
views, said he was "disgusted" with
attempts to tempt an outsider to take
the District job and that the propo-
sition was ridiculous"
The resolution condemning any
move to break down the present Dis
trict standards for milk was present.
ed by Mrs. H. J. Steiner of the Com
rnittee on Public Welfare. DR.. Charles
B. Campbell, supporting this purpose,
praised the work of DR.. William C..
FOWlGI, ISlk1 O141NNA, 40 HoAA~
ing up the present milk standards.
Remark Is Challenged.
During debate on the Townsend
economic improvement plan it was
announced that the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association unanimously had
urged it's enactment. Henry I. Quinn,
a member of the Board of Education,
asked, soto voce, if that body also
had Endorsed the plan of Senator
Huey Long for sharing of wealth.
There was no response at the moment,
but much later in the meeting George
H. Brown of the Columbia Heights
Association voiced objections to the
remark.
Quinn then said he had not antici-
pated that any one would be so thin
skinned as to take exception to the re-
mark, but he upheld his stand against
any serious consideration being given
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