Evening star., 1939-03-08
Action on Milk
Probe Seen by
End Of Week
House Rules Unit
Clears Way for
Investigation

Prediction was made today by
Representative Smith, Democrat, of
Virginia that the House would act
before the end of the week on his
resolution directing the District
Committee to make a sweeping in
vestigation Of the District milk sit
uation.
Within "a hours after introduction
Of the resolution the powerful House
Rules Committee, to which it was
referred, ordered a favorable re-
port which placed it on the House
calendar in preferential position.
The legislative situation in the
House will preclude consideration of
the resolution before tomorrow.
If the House adopts the resolution
Chairman Randolph of the District
Committee said he would undertake
the investigation Immediately. He
as we'll as Mr.. Smith are vitally
concerned in the local milk situa-
ton, because both of their con-
gressional districts supply Washing
ton with large quantity of its milk
and cream.
Source to Be Probed.
The inquiry, under terms Of the
resolution, would cover such ques-
tions as the source and purity Of
the Districts milk supply, the pos
sible effect upon the health of the
community by reason of unlawful
importation of unlicensed milk or
cream, and whether conspiracy ex-
lists to violate provisions of the 1925
District Milk Act.
Another question was raised yes
terday by Representative Hull Wis
consin Progressive, who said the
delegation from his State wanted
Ito determine why Western milk and
cream cannot be brought into WASH
ington."
I'VE see no reason why it should
be barred" he said. The Repre-
sentative expressed the opinion that
washington apparently is in the
grip OF the same sort of situation as
was unearthed in Chicago, where 96
persons were indicted for conspiracy
in furnishing milk in the city,"
Mr.. Smith introduced his resolu-
ton following seizure by police of
$500 gallons of alleged unlicensed
cream
In further move to control the
local situation, the District Com
mlssloners, late yesterday, adopted
regulations long under considera-
tlon, to govern the importation and
manufacture of milk, cream and ice
cream mix and frozen desserts.
Both the shippers who send in
these products and the manufac-
turers or professors here must OBJ
tain permits from the Health De-
partment.
| Where milk, cream or milk prod
ucts are brought in for manufac-
ture the health officer must be- sat-
lsfled that they are produced or
handled under the specifications of
an authorized medical commission
or a State board of health; If ice
cream mix is imported, the health
officer must be satisfied that 1t is han
died and manufactured under safe
and proper sanitary conditions and
surroundings.
Must Meet Standards.
Local manufacturing plants must
conform to standards set by the
Health Department.
Producing dairies must ship di-
rect to manufacturers; diversion of
the product for any purpose other
than that for which it is designated
is forbidden and it must also con-
tain vegetable coloring matter to in
dicate its nature.
All containers or cans containing
shipments must be marked with the
name of the consigner and carry
other Identification details. and
local handlers also are required to
have their containers marked.
Permits may be suspended for
cause and fines that run from $40 to
$500 (for repeated violators) and
imprisonment for not more than 30
days can be invoked.
These regulations do not affect
the importation of milk or cream
into the District for sale as such.