Evening star., 1950-06-17
Emergency

is expected 10 accompany smokey
Emergency
Continued From First Page.)
Maryland and Virginia. as many
stores advertised milk obtained
from farther places in these
States.
2. An Embassy Dairy official
warned that abuses of the city's
emergency program are threat
ening to break down the whole
distribution system devised for
babies and the sick. In many
cases where no health need exists,
he charged, doctors certificates
for milk are being obtained.
3. Over-the-counter sales con-
tinued to increase at the Districts
nine struck dairies.
In addition to protests by Mr..
Smith, officials of the Mary
land and Virginia Milk Producers
Association, it was reported, also
conferred with officials.
Mr.. Smith said that "all this
agitation to change the law on
milk is worsening the strike" and
that the "best way to prolong
1t is to keep up the agitation"
The virginian said the farmers
as well as the public are suffer-
ing because Of the strike and that
he does not believe this is the
time to consider changes Of the
District milk code.
Up for Reelection.
Mr.. Smith, who IS up for re-
election this year. said the milk
supply should come from farms
inspected by District officials. The
main question, he said, is "how
far is it practical for the District
inspectors to travel to inspect
farms and herds and assure safe
milk for the consumer?"
Asked II he had discussed the
proposal with DR.. Miller, Bruce 3.
Derrick. secretary-treasurer Of the
Maryland Virginia producers
group. replied: 1--WE just tried to
show him that he was off base" |"
Mr.. Abernethy said he feels the
milk code should be "gone into
thoroughly" and that the thought
that is something which can't be
heard under two weeks" Of hear
ingS.
Ready for Hearing.
Mr.. Abernethy told reporter
earlier he would call a hearing
"any time the author of the bill.
my chairman Mr. McMillan), +,
wants me to-"
The Mcmillan resolution would
give the Commissioner temporary
authority to allow imports of milk
from beyond the Washington
milkshed.
The charge Of abuses to the
city'S four -day-old emergency
program was raised by Joseph L..
Benson. Embassy sales manager.
Under the plan, doctors prescrip-
tions allow persons to buy milk
over-the-counter at the nine
cloSed-down dairies. and, in cases
Of special need. milk can be de-
livered to some families homes.
Says Doctors Are Misled.
Mr.. Benson expressed the belief
that some doctors are being mis-
led" about actual need in issuing
certificates.
AS a result. he said, the demand
Is building UP daily and threatens
to swamp the operation at his
dairy In the next few days unless
abuses are halted. He observed
that the dairies and union agreed
to the system as q public service,
and said dairies are operating it
at loss.
Often. he said, neighbors report
the so-called "invalids" to whom
milk is delivered are downtown or
out visiting. Payment for the
deliveries is supposed to be in
cash.
Drivers, Mr.. Benson said, are
now instructed to leave milk with
out payment II persons are not
at home, but that the practice
will depend on whether more
abuses develop.
I'VE do that because there's
always the possibility that some
III person has gone to the doctor,
or to clinic for treatment" he
declared, although we know too
many certified shut-ins are away
from home to make this excuse
valid in more than few cases."
Deliveries Costly.
However, a spokesman for the
Chestnut Farms Chevy Chase
Dairy said he has seen mo evi-
dence" of any abuses, and that
doctors have been most con-
scientious" in writing home de-
livery prescriptions only when