Evening star., 1939-05-03
Milk Seizure
Tip-0ffs' Told
By Seal
DiscIoses He Made
Probe Without Aid
Of Health Agents
BY JAMES E. CHINN.


Corporation Counsel Elwood H.
Seal disclosed today before the House
Milk Investigating Committee that
his Independent investigation which
resulted in the seizure about six
weeks ago Of 2,400 gallons of alleged
'bootleg" cream was made without
knowledge OF Health Department in
spectors because of complaints to
the Commissioners that "tip-offs"
had prevented previous attempts to
seize unlicensed milk and cream.
Certain gentlemen, including
members of Congress, came to the
Commissioners and complained that
every time there was an attempted
raid tip-off would occur" declared
Mr.. Seal. THE Commissioners asked
me what to do about it. I asked to
be allowed to conduct an investiga-
ton without the knowledge of the
Health Department. Only Health
Officer Rutland knew about it."
Sought Aid of Police.
Mr.. Seal explained he subsequent
ly sought the aid of the Police De-
partment, and truck load of al.
legged unlicensed cream from In
diana was seized. The case growing
out of this seizure is pending in Po-
lice Court.
Shortly before the House investi-
cation was resumed today warrants
charging two more dairies and two
more milk associations with ship
ping bootleg cream" into the Dis
trlct were issued at Police Court.
They followed disclosure at the
hearing yesterday by Representa-
tive Shafer of Michigan that a
second truckload of alleged boot
leg" cream had been seized here
recently without the publicity that
marked the first seizure.
warrants alleging two counts each
against the Southern Diaries, Inc;
the Maryland-Virginia Milk Produce
tion Producers Association, the
Maryland Cooperative Milk Pro-
ducers' Association and the Fair.
field Western Maryland Dairy were
prepared on information filed by
Assistant Corporation Counsel Ches.
ter Gray.
How does it happen that your Of
flce and the Health Department
don't co-operate?" asked Represent
ative Shafer of Mr.. Seal at today's
hearing.
Il don't think that's true" replied
Mr.. Seal.
DR.. Ashworth Recalled.
DR.. Reid r. Ashworth, director
OF the Division of Food Inspection
OF the Health Department, recalled
to the witness stand, was questioned
closely by Representative Shafer
about his knowledge of the discov-
cry Of the shipment of the second
truck load of alleged unlicensed
cream.
Representative Shafer had de-
scribed the latest case as seizure"
and DR.. Ashworth had denied any
knowledge of it.
Il used very unfortunate term
in seizure" explained Representa-
tive Shafer. Il should have de-
scribed it as pickup"
Il didn't know you were referring
to shipment which was not seized"
said DR.. Ashworth. IT knew all
about that pickup of cream"
Representative Shafer next asked
the witness If he had any knowledge
of another so-called pickup" of
cream in. the last 10 days.
MY men didn't pick up any,
thing replied DR.. Ashworth. IT
don't know what Mr.. Seals men
nave been doing"
Again Representative Shafer asked
DR.. Ashworth about pigeon racing
in which he admitted yesterday one
of his inspectors participated.
do they race like some of the
horses in my State and the winner
pays OFF," inquired Representative
Bates, Democrat, of Kentucky,
chairman of the Investigating Com
mittee.
DR.. Ashworth said he thought
there might be side pool" which
went to the owner of the winning
pigeon.
Asked About Storage.
A few moments later Representa-
tive Shafer asked DR.. AshWorth if
he had any information concerning
the storage of unlicense cream in
local dairy November 81, 1888.
NO" he answered.
Mr.. Shafer then turned to Cor
poration Counsel Seal and asked
why there had been a delay in filing
charges against the concerns and
producers organizations accused of
being involved in the latest alleged
bootleg" milk case.
Information had been given the