Evening star., 1951-02-18
Asks
Control Board
On Milk Prices
Citizens Group Urges
Action by Congress;
PEPCO Decision Hit

Establishment by Congress of a
Milk Control Board here to govern
prices both for producers and con-
sumers was urged in a resolution
adopted last night by the Fedora
tion of Citizens Associations.
The resolution, approved by a
roll call vote Of SO to %, said the
board should not be. under the
control of the District Commits
sioners.
The Federation also voted to
advocate United States Public
Health Service standards for milk
inspection. It asked that a milk
code or regulations based on the
PHS standards be enacted to gov
ern production and distribution
OF milk for sale in the District.
The Federation acted shortly
after hearing Chester F. Bletch.
employe of the Maryland and
Virginia Milk Producers Associa-
ton, argue against both PROPOSE
tions. Mr.. Bletch, a delegate from
the Rhode Island Citizens Asso-
citation, contended these moves
would reduce the quality of milk
Washington now gets.
Contends Quality Is Best.
He maintained Washington gets
the worlds highest quality Of
milk" and has the lowest bacteria
count Of any. Washington's milk
price is Slightly under the ma
tional average for all cities" Mr..
Bletch declared.
However, David Babp, veteran
former Federation secretary con-
tended that Washingtonians are
paying two cents more for milk
than anybody can justify. He
said the Maryland and Virginia
Milk Producers Association has
built up SIS million reserve fund,
to which consumers have con-
tributed. He says he was for "any-
thing that will remedy the sit
uation."
After the vote was announced,
Mrs. Ernest w. Howard of CO.
lumbia Heights arose to say those
opposed to board reserve the right
to present a minority report at
any hearing before a public body.
President Herbert P. Leeman.
said. howevr, that while it is the
right of any delegate to present
his own views, no minority report
can be submitted on behalf of the
Federation.
PEPCO Rate Increase Hit.
Mr.. Leeman, on behalf of Ver-
non v. Baker, chairman Of the
Federation's Public Utilities Com
mittee, presented an analysis Of
last Mondays decision of the Pub
lie Utilities Commission in the
Potomac Electric Power Co. case.
Mr.. Baker contended the COM
missions decision substantially
lowered the proportionate shares
which the company proposed to
assess against street lighting and
the Capital Transit Co.
Il find little, if any, support in
the evidence for the distribution
which the commission ordered"
wrote Mr.. Baker.
THE commission rejected the
contention made by us and Capt.
tai Transit Co. that rates for the
District of Columbia should be
based solely upon revenues, ex-
penses and property applicable to
electricity distributed i'm the Dis
trict; and it based it's decision on
overall figures applicable to opera
tions in Maryland and Virginia, as
we'll as the District"
Approves Higher Cab Fares.
In another action, the Fedora
tion by voice vote adopted the re-
port of it's Public Utilities Com
mittee approving the application
of taxicab operators for higher
rates. It urged the PUG to re-
adjust Northeast taxi zone boun-
daries. if justified. The Fedora
tion also went on record opposing
proposed changes in regulations
governing group riding and ask
that they remain as at present.
F. Joseph Donohue, nominated
by President Truman to be the
new District Commissioner, will
be guest speaker at the annual
dinner of the Federation, Joseph
A. Kaufman, dinner chairman,
announced.