Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-18
Will Oppose
Montgomery
Ordinance
BY GILBERT GnIBLE
star stan Writer

AidAiOC pCliiB COhoiuCACu ny
Montgomery County.
Carol S. Brinsheld made his
intentions known last night
after a damned four-hour
hearing on the proposed meas
ure at the County Building au-
ditorium in Rockville attended
by an overflow crowd Of more
than $50 persons.
Nearly 20 witnesses spoke on
the suggested ordinance which
would require all milk sold in
Montgomery to pass standards
stricter than those required by
the State but similar to those
in force in the District.
Requires Farm Inspection
One of the main features of
the drafted ordinance is farm
inspection and approval by
county health authorities. Dis
trict-approved milk would quail
ify.
With nearly 20 additional
witnesses still to go at mid
night, County Council Presi-
dent Stella B. Werner adj
journed the session and an
nounced the hearing will con-
tinue next Friday at 8 pm.
| Mr.. Brinsfield told the coun-
Gil that State health author
tiles had wished to steer clear"
of the present controversy but
then decided to enter it.
He said attempts have been
made to use the public health
issue as a smoke screen" when
the real issue is economics"
Earlier some council mem
bers had noted that the hear
ing was intended to cover a
health matter rather than an
economic dispute. Council
Member William Hickey said
the board was not meeting as
economic custodians" for any
single group.
Called Economic Barrier
However, many opposing wit
nesses alluded to the ordinance
as an economic barrier" for
the protection of Montgomery
farmers.
The measure was ordered
drafted a few weeks ago after
Chestnut Farms (Sealtest)
Dairy began importing Penn
syivania milk for sale in nearby
Maryland. The outside milk
was bought at prices cheaper
than those of the Maryland
Virginia Milk Producers AS
ISOLATION, farmer cooperative
which has been Chestnut's prin-
cipal supplier. Retail prices
went down after purchase of
the outside milk began.
/ Mr.. Brinsfield revealed that
his department has been col
lecting samples of milk from
Harvey's Dairy and Chestnut
Farms since the milk fight
started. Both have been dis
tributing non-District inspected
milk in nearby Maryland but
their milk does meet State
standards.
1--WE find them comparing
favorably with milk procesSed
by diaries using only raw milk
that comes. under the super
vision of the D. C. Health De
partment," he said.
He added:
I'VE believe the citizens of
Montgomery County. or any
other county in Maryland, will
not benefit public healthwise
by adopting their own regula-
tions. Furthermore, I expect
the legality of such a move
would be contested"
The Maryland Board o!
Health. under the law, must ap
prove the local ordinance if
is adopted by the county.
Won't IndOrse Move
Later, Mr.. Brinsf1eld said h
would not recommend such APP
proval because the oIdinancf
is not needed" File urged that
any move to strengthen milk
regulations be done on a State
wide basis.
Ralph Powers, a Hyattsville,
Md. attorney representing
Harvey's Dairy whose processing
plant is in Prince Georges
County, warned the council
that passage of the ordinance
could lead to Regulatory
measures by other counties.
Sealtest was attacked by r
Robert Linowes. an attorney
representing some 230 dairy
farmers Of Montgomery County
He said the dairy, a division Of
the National Dairy Products
Corp. was trying to force down
the price it has to pay the
| farmers here for raw milk.
An attorney for Sealtest.
John J. Carmody, told the
council outside milk has been
approved in the District when
shortages here have necessi-
tated importation.
| DR.. A. c Dahlberg, a Cornell
University professor and dairy
| industry authority invited TO
appear by Sealtest. called the
Maryland milk code very ex-
| cellent."
A statement entered into the
record on behalf of c. Y. Ste
phens, president of Highs
Dairy. also opposed passage of
/ the suggested ordinance. Mr..
Stephens said he believes the
District soon will have a milk
code similar to Maryland's less
strict standards.
( A number of private citizens
spoke against the ordinance.
some representing citizens
groups that have gone on rec
ord opposing It.
Speaking in support Of the
- g.,