Evening star., 1943-09-23
Restaurant Bill
.Hit by West as
Step Backward
Assistant Counsel
Says Most Of Plan
Is in Present Law

| Says Most of Plan
| Is in Present Law
The McCarran bill revising the
local restaurant code was called "a
step backward" by Assistant Cor
| poration Counsel Vernon E. West,
who appeared today before a SEN
ate subcommittee which opened
hearings on a measure to improve
restaurant and lunchroom condi-
tions in Washington.
Most of the bill, Mr.. West said, is
copied verbatim from present regu-
lations, except for the A and B grad
ing, the omission Of some details
and changes in penalties.
The hearings brought the dis
| closure from Commissioner Mason
that local health authorities may in
spect eating places in Federal build
ings only "by invitation
Would Include Federal Property.
| He made the statement after j. K.
Hoskins, sanitary engineer of the
United States Public Health Service,
had recommended that the McCar-
ran bill be applied to restaurants on
Federal property. He said he thought
restaurants on Federal property,
whether in Washington or elsewhere,
should be subject to local health reg
| ulation.
This prompted Senator Overton,
Democrat, of Louisiana to ask Ii they
are not inspected now.
you 60 on Federal property with
out an invitation and they'll run you
off" Commissioner Mason replied.
Health Ofiicer George G. Ruhland
said restaurants in the Capitol are
Inspected by invitation.
James M. Myles, vice president of
the Operative Plasterers and Cement
Finishers international Association,
appeared in support OF the bill and
offered two amendments to require
concrete floors in restaurants and
specified types of solid plastered
walls and partitions around rooms
In which food or drink is prepared.
Praisess Health Drive.
Robert j. Wilson, executive secre-
tary Of the Washington Restaurant
Association, praised the work of the
Commissioners and the Health De-
partment in carrying out the exist
ing code and told OF the efforts
restaurant owners are making to
improve conditions He said eating
places in Washington compare
favorably with any in the country
from sanitary standpoint.
Chairman McCarran of the Sem
ate District Committee said "the
picture painted by the witness is
not borne out by the telephone calls
coming to my ofiice continuously.
He told Of a complaint. he re-
ceiyed today that an employe, while
mopping restaurant floor, wiped
his hands on . towel and served a
customer,
Cites Servant Shortage.
Mr.. Wilson replied that ina city
as scrqwded as. Washington, It is
impossible to avoid ali complaints,
and said it is surprising there are
not more complaints. He suggested
that the same thing could occur in
private homes today, with the
shortage Of domestic servants.
Mr.. Wilson said his group is not
objecting to any code that will i'm
prove sanitary conditions, but said
his association would like more time
to consider the details of the pend
ing bill.
Senator Burton, Republican, of
Ohio asked Mr.. Myles If he was
suggesting any time period within
which restaurants would have to
install concrete floors and plaster
partitions.
Urges General Authority.
The witness said that was ques-
ton for the committee and the
District government to decide, but
he contended the materials and la
Dor are available.
Mr.. Wilson said he presumed pro-
posal for concrete floors and plaster
partitions was put forward as a
postwar program" and added that
"of course, we would like to operate
under those conditions" He ques-
toned. however, whether manpower
is available for such purpose now.
Senator Overton pointed out that
If the detailed sanitary regulations
are written into an act of Congress,
1t would take further acts of Con-
gress to amend them from time to
time, unless some general authority
was extended to the Commissioners
to make changes.
Alternative Methods.
Mr.. Hoskins said the bill is based
largely on code developed by the
Public Health Service, but with al
ternative methods of enforcement.
One method-issuance and revo-
cation of licenses-is now followed
by the District. The other is the
A, B and c grading restaurants. He
said the choice of alternatives is left
to local determination. He told the
committee, however, I'VE think the
grading system has some advantage
by stimulating the owner" to i'm
prove his establishment.
Charles E. Sands, representing the
International Association of Hotel
and Restaurant Employees, asked
more time to study the bill. Hear
ings will be resumed at 10:30 am.
Tuesday.
Asked by Senator Burton if he
saw any advantage to the public
| in the new bill over the existing
code. Health Officer Rutland said,
Frankly I do not-in fact I have
| some misgivings we might lose some
of what we have"