Evening star., 1943-04-16
Sanitary Inspections
PeriIed by Lack Of
Aides, Rutland Says
Shortage Of Trained
RepIucements Outlined
Before Committee

SHS1S
The problems of maintaining ade-
quAte standards Of sanitation and
weights and measures in an area
when both manpower and food are
scarce was brought to the attention
Of the House Appropriations Com
mittee during recent hearings on
the 1914 District budget, made pub
hc today.
DR.. George G. Ruhland, District
Health Omcer, told the committee
that the effective operation Of his
inspection service was jeopardized
by "a loss Of personnel" by "a difn-
Guilty in getting trained personnel
to I'LL the vacancies"
DR.. Rutland was asked whether
this deficiency Of manpower was not
inviting "a breakdown Of the sani-
tary regulations"
well, II I could find an answer
to the question:" he replied, Il would
be happy; but we are not getting
the answer, am sorry to say"
Nine Positions Vacant.
DR.. Rutland said his department
was doing everything possible to
protect District residents. forced to
live under crowded conditions.
He pointed out that hotels and
restaurants are cooperating In an
effort to maintain satisfactory
standards OF sanitation but that
they, too, have been hampered by
lack of trained personnel. He said
that drug stores in the District have
provided "one of our keenest sani-
tary problems"
DR.. Ruhland said there were eight
vacancies in the food inspection
service and one in the sanitary in
spection division. He informed the
committee that efforts were being
made to fill vacancies with women
inspectors whenever possible.
Previously, J. Thomas Kennedy,
superintendent of weights and meas
ures, told the committee that the
need for policing merchandising
practices among local merchants
had increased with the advent of
rationing. Most of the complaints,
he said involve miner violations, but
he pointed out that these must be
stopped to prevent the housewife
from suffering losses under ration
Ing He said his department has
"quite heavy job" to keep Our
eyes on these (ratione6 COM
modities."
Sharp Practices Described.
They will run a half an ounce or
a quarter of an ounce short" he
said. ut does not take very many
ounces to make up pound"
Mr.. Kennedy said that weighing
Of the hand is very obsolete meth
cd" of bringing about short weights.
He told the committee that a newer
practice is to suspend a cigar box
full of nuts and bolts from the
bottom of the scales.
Another method" he said, rs to
take a pencil and run it through
the meat scale, and pull the pencil
down to write with, and the scale
goes down a little more"
Mr.. Kennedy said these practices
sare now being fairly we'll cleaned
up" because his inspectors go
through each store at least twice a
year He said that one man does
nothing but visit stores as q Gus
toner. He carries no paraphenalia
Mr.. Kennedy explained, and is not
recognized by the proprietor until
he Identifies himself.
The problem of grocers and
butchers in the District showing
favoritism to certain steady GUS
toners when shortages of some foods
occur came in for recognition dur
ing the course Of the hearing. Rep
resentative Stefan, Republican, of
Nebraska. called attention to the
reports Of favoritism and asked
whether anything could be done
about it.
S65,555 Appropriation Asked.
There is nothing in the law that
I know of to prohibit it." said Walter
L. Fowler, District Budget Oficer.
Mr.. Fowler said it was his UNDER
standing that OPA will give con-
sideration' to the matter of favor
itism If it is called to the attention
OF that agency.
Whether they can take any &C
ton or not, I do not know" he
added.
Mr.. Kennedy also revealed that
come Of the shortages found here
recently have been traced back to
the manufacturers or professors who
prepare food in containers. Coffee
and flour were mentioned specific
ally as falling into this category
Usually, Mr.. Kennedy said, the
manufacturer promptly rectifies the
shortage, which is often due to fail
ure to take into consideration the
full amount of loss through moisture
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