Evening star., 1950-07-27
ID. {. Awaits Decision
On Milk as Increase
In lis Price |mpends

Ine controversy over WaShlng-
toms milk regulations was at a
standstill today as farmers and
dairies awaited decisions from two
bodies and housewives prepared to
pay more for milk.
The Commissioners yesterday
wound UP their public hearing on
proposed changes to regulations
promulgated under the Milk Act
of 1925. A House District sub
committee completed it's hearing
on several bills to repeal the 1925
act and allow, in effect, any milk
conforming to Public Health Serv-
ice standards to be shipped into
Washington.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Milk
Commission was studying a re-
quest by three dairies-Chestnut
Farms-Chevy Chase, Thompson's
and Alexandria-that the price of
a quart of milk in the Arlington
County and Alexandria area be
raised half cent. ....
Virginia Authority Needed.
Both Chestnut Farms Chevy
Chase and Thompson's have said
they plan to raise the price a half
cent a quart in the District start
ing August /. They need the Milk
Commissions approval to raise
prices in Virginia. but there is no
such regulatory body in the Dis
trict.
In practice. the price set by the
Virginia commission has been fol-
lowed by dairieS serving the Dis
trict. So far no other Washing
ton dairies have announced price
increases.
At the close of the District sub
committee hearings, it appeared
possible that a compromise might
be worked out on the regulation,
issue.
The chief opponent of the meas
ure, introduced by Representative
Miller, Republican, of Nebraska,
has been the Maryland and Vir-
ginia Milk Producers Association,
representing about IS per cent of
the local dairy industry. Associa-
ton spokesmen have insisted the
Miller bill is deficient on two
points.
To insure a pure milk supply
here, they contend, it is necessary
to continue regulations calling for
of dairy farms by Dis
trict Health Department veteri-
narians. Secondly. they argue that
the Federal Public Health code for
milk is inadequate, without addi-
tional regulations.
Amendment Indicated.
At yesterdays hearing, Mr..
Miller indicated that he might
amend his bill to meet these two!
principal objections. The require
ment for local inspection might be
spelled out. he said. AS to the
Public Health code. it should be
taken only as a minimum require
ment. DR.. Miller added. and the
Commissioners could pass addi-
tional regulations.
The right of Representative
Smith, Democrat, of Virginia, toE
serve on the subcommittee wasE
challenged by counsel for an inde-
pendent dairy. The lawyer
charged that Mr.. Smith, owner
of several dairy farms, had a per-
sonal interest in the issue. Rep
resentative Smith denied his vote
would be Influenced and said hel
would continue to serve.
Subcommittee Chairman Aber-
nethy, Democrat, of Mississippi.
said any persons wishing to submit
additional testimony on the con-
troversy should do so in writing
before Monday.
The Commissioners ended their
hearing after William E. Leahy,
representing the Producers AS
sociation, and Robert e. Lynch,
representing Embassy Dairy
summed up. Embassy has been
leading the fight against the Pro-
ducers Association in an attempt
to get the regulations changed to
allow chemical sterilization of
dairy equipment.