NEW YORK MILK COMMITTEE 163 



8. Where localities were apathetic in the matter of in- 

 spection, state law would override such neglect. 



9. State law in many cases would result in savings through 

 centralized planning and execution of the work. 



10. A state law would save some communities from the 

 vagaries of zealous but poorly informed local officers. 



11. The tenure of office of a state officer might be more se- 

 cure than that of a city officer, and a state officer might be 

 more independent and unhampered than a city officer under 

 local political influence. 



12. The title of state officer frequently carries more weight, 

 influence, and dignity than that of city officer. 



13. The state officer can have more efficient laboratories 

 at his disposal than is possible in small cities. 



The advantages of municipal control are: 



1. The enforcement of law comes nearer to the people, and 

 sentiment favors a reasonable amount of home rule. 



2. Home rule being nearer to the people may be a more 

 accurate reflection of local sentiment and may be better en- 

 forced. 



3. Sometimes a reform can begin in a small way through 

 local legislation where a state law would be impossible. For 

 instance, something like 100 cities in the country now have 

 a law requiring that all milk brought into their several munic- 

 ipalities shall come from tuberculin tested herds. 



Another set of arguments for or against food laws is based 

 upon expediency. Where law has been of city origin and 

 efficiently enforced by the local health department for a long 

 time, it might be unwise for the state to come in and supplant 

 the work of those excellent local officers, possibly by inferior 

 service. The question of adjustment of expense is an im- 

 portant one in considering the expediency side of the case. In 

 most places it would mean a large addition to the state ex- 

 penses, a financial relief to the cities where good work is al- 

 ready being done, increased efficiency without enlarged outlay 

 where little or nothing is being done. 



It is a very interesting fact, however, that in many cases 

 with which I am familiar (regardless of all theories or argu- 

 ments) where there has been an agitation to change from city 

 to state control, the movement has grown out of a desire to 



