Evening star., 1941-06-24
Witness Sees
Need for Milk
Quota Probe
Price Hearing Told
System is Kind
Of Monopoly

of the Department of Justice" This
was the testimony of q witness to-
day as the Department of Agricul-
tIre resumed hearings on pro-
posed price increase and other
changes in the Federal marketing
order regulating the handling of
milk here.
The witness, Mrs. Sarah Newman,
chairman of the District Consumers
Milk Committee, told the hearing
at the United States Chamber of
Commerce Building that the sys-
TEN by which milk farmers are
given quotas on the basis of their
production and for which they re-
ceive a price higher than they re-
ceive for any surplus above the
quota. acts along with tight health
regulations to set up restraints on
trade.
Mrs. Newman also challenged
contentious of proponents of the
suggested l-cent-a-quart price in
crease it was justified by poor crops
and labor shortage. Mrs. Newman
declared that "the instant such an
increase goes into effect the ability
of at least one-third of our people
to buy milk will be Immediately
impaired"
Witness Questioned.
She also questioned the compati-
bility of an increase in milk prices
with a national nutrition program
(which recognizes the need for a
20 to so per cent increase in the
consumption of milk
After her lengthy prepared state
ment, the witness was questioned by
representative of the Agriculture
Department and principally by
Bruce B. Derrick. secretary treasurer
of the Milk Producers Association,
who was the main witness at the
hearing Yesterday.
DO you know that base quotas
are subject to monthly adjust
ment?" asked Mr.. Derrick.
It did not" replied Mrs. Newman.
Questioning Mrs. Newman about
some testimony regarding unem-
ployed Negroes, Mr.. Derrick asked,
Can you send me about 1000 un-
employed Negroes willing to work."
"I am not running an employ
ment agency" said Mrs. Newman.
Haskell Donoho of the Agricul-
ture Department, who presided,
cautioned Mr.. Derrick several times
against cross-examination of the
witness. Mr.. Derrick said he
thought q little cross ton
might be a good thing.
Explains Criticism.
Explaining her criticism Of the
Health Department restrictions, Mrs.
Newman said District regulations
compel high capital expenditures by
milk producers emphasizing equip
n1ent rather than methods. She sug-
sested that the District milk shed
be opened to other producers, but
pointed out that this is now re-
stricted by limitation on the funds
of District Health Department in
spectors and the fact that no reclp-
rocal arrangements exist between
the District and other markets for
the acceptance of each others in
spections.
Mrs. Evelyn Cooper of Greenbelt,
Md. testified she uses about 81
quarts of milk a month for herself,
her husband and child.
She estimated after an increase
In the family she would need SO
quarts a month which, if the milk
price is increased, would require
nearly a third of her food budget
money.
Mrs. Cooper thought a price in
crease would have the effect OF IN
creasing consumption of canned
milk and added:
"I have friends whose youngsters
have never tasted fresh milk"
Virginia Opposes Increase.
Harold A. Serr, speaking for the
Arlington Alexandria Milk Con-
sumers Committee, concurred In the
opposition to a price increase.
He said prices under the Virginia
Milk Commission are higher than
those in the District and he also
urged the extension of relief milk
and milk to needy school children
to Arlington. Also protesting an
increase, Mrs. Georgia Benjamin OF
the American Association of UNI
versity Women, told the group one
fourth of the school children in
Prince Georges County were under
nourished.
Mrs. Mary Wright johnson,
speaking as a consumer, said she
was willing to pay more for milk
to see that the farmers receive ade-
ouate payment for their product
Amendment to present regulations
was asked by J. T. Hotel, an in
dependent Virginia milk producer
TO see that prices paid independent
dealers were equal to those paid
members of the Milk Producers
Association. Mr.. Hotel asked that
the Federal Government assume in
spection responsibilities for the Dis
trict milk shed, asserting there Is
friction between producers and Dis
trict Health Department inspectors
Marian Hyman of the Washington
Committee for Democratic Action
opposed the increase in milk prices
as "unjustifiable social policy" She
added that consumption in the Dis
trict Is far too low for decent health
standards
While the opening session yester-
day was devoted chiefly to testi-
mony on behalf of the producers
request. one protest against the pro-
posed price increase was registered
before the hearing, held in the De-
partmental Auditorium, was ad-
journed. 1t came from Mrs. Ella G
Roller of Cheverly, Md, representing
the Prince Georges County Milk
Buying Club.
Declaring that people in the
middle class and lower income
groups cannot afford to pay more
for milk. Mrs. Roller warned thai
such individuals would drink less
milk if the price was raised. This
she said, would make for worse
health situation than we already
have"