Evening star., 1936-08-30
RUTLAND AGAINST
RELAXED DISTRICT
MILK REGULATION.
Suggests Source Might Be
Increased by Imports
r From Eastern Shore.
HOLDS PROVISIONS
ARE NOT UNREASONABLE
Further Finds They Have Had
Definite Effect in Reducing
Infant Mortality.

The Districts stringent regulations
governing the production, handling
and quality of milk sold here will not
be relaxed If the Commissioners fol-
low recommendation submitted yes
terday by Health Oficer George G.
Ruhland.
Ruhland. at the same time, sug-
gested that the source of milk might
be increased considerably by importa-
tions from the Eastern Shore Of
Maryland.
He indicated he would refuse to
countenance relaxation Of standards
to make an increase in prices to pro-
ducers, or . reduction in prices to
consumers.
Completing q re-check Of the regu-
lations at the direction of the Com
missioners, DR.. Rutland declared
present regulations were not drastic,
unreasonable or "capricious." Fur
ther. he found they have had q definite
effect in reducing infant mortality
here.
Does Not Touch on Price.
DR.. Rutland did not touch directly
on the question of whether the regu-
lations tended to maintain q high level
Of prices for milk.
The issue of price was raised during
consideration of the proposed milk
marketing agreement for this region,
but the Department of Agriculture
last week, in signifying tentative ap-
proval of the agreement, provided the
producers agree. stated 1t found no
reason for any increase in the retail
price level.
All farmers now producing milk for
the Washington market have been
given ballots, on which they will cast
their vote on the marketing agree
ment. Ballots must be returned to
the dairy section, Agricultural Ad-
justment Administration, on or before
Tuesday.
To become effective, the agreement
must be approved by two-thirds OF the
farmers supplying milk to Washington
in July, 1886, or by those supplying
two-thirds of the milk sold by Wash
ington handlers during the. .,same-
month.
A. A. 4. Plans Meeting.
Representatives of the A. A. A. will
conduct three meetings tomorrow to
explain the meaning Of the proposed
agreement, which provides for estab-
lishment of q milk administrator and
the fixing OF prices to the farmers.
The first will be held at Culpeper, Va,
from 8 am. to noon; the second at
Leesburg, to S pm, and the third
at Frederick. Md, 8 pm. to midnight.
The sessions will be in the county
agents onces. A fourth meeting,
though not announced yesterday by
the A. A. A., Is planned at the Oak.
land School. Fairfax County. tomor-
row at pm.
The producer is asked to state on
the ballot how much milk he delivered
to the Washington market in July,
1896; the name of the handler to
whom the milk was delivered; in what
county and State he produces milk,
and, Is asked for q yes" or mo" an
swer to the question: do you ap:
prove issuance by the Secretary of
Agriculture Of an agreement for the
regulation of the handling of milk In
the District of Columbia market?"
Outlines Objectives.
DIR. Rutland said:
THE essential objectives at which
the milk regulations aim are: That
the milk be obtained from disease
free animals; that milk be handled
by persons free from infection; abso-
lutte cleanliness Of utensils used; san
itation Of environment and methods;
the cooling Of milk to prevent bac-
terial growth, and the competent pas
teurization Of milk.
All these points are we'll recog-
nized regulatory measures that, while
tending to make milk q safe food for
the ultimate consumer, particularly
children, at the same time have
proved to be of direct benefit also to
the farmer and his dairy animals.
1.-The testimony Of representatives
Of the organized Virginia Maryland
Milk Producers Association has all
been to the effect that the regulations
covering the milk production are not
only not unreasonable. but have
proved distinctly beneficial to the in
dustry."
Suggesting the possibility Of an in
crease in the supply Of milk, DR.. Ruh-
land said:
ut Is also decidedly significant in
this connection to be able to report
that in looking about for any sources
TO supply the increasing need for milk
(See MILK, Page B-2O