760 
other purposes,” a only two amendments tending seriously to impair 
its usefulness from an administrative standpoint having been made. 
The food inspectors in the service of the board of health had, in 
October, 1873, recommended that persons selling milk in the District 
of Columbia be required to obtain permits in order to obtain a basis 
for the proper inspection of places where milk was produced and 
sold, and of the cattle from which it was drawn. The milk law of 
March 2, 1895, had now accomplished that end. 
The new law marked a departure in milk legislation from estab- 
lished lines. Theretofore it had been deemed sufficient to examine 
milk as it appeared in the market. Now it was proposed to begin 
at the cow. Previously it had been regarded as beyond the power 
of the community to go outside of its territorial limits to control the 
methods employed in the production of its food supply. Xow it was 
proposed to say to the producer, no matter where located, “ The milk 
sold in our jurisdiction must come from places that conform to certain 
requirements, as determined by inspection by our own agents. If you 
wish to sell milk of this kind, and none other can be sold in our city, 
we will, if you desire and request it, inspect your establishment for 
you.” It must be admitted that the District of Columbia was in one 
way peculiarly well situated to attempt such a departure from estab- 
lished law and practice ; for while by far the larger part of its milk 
supply comes from the States of Maryland and Virginia, yet any law 
that might be enacted must emanate from Congress, vested not only 
with the right to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever 
over the District of Columbia, but also with the right to regulate in- 
terstate commerce. Such a statute might be enacted by that body 
therefore, with less likelihood of attack than if enacted by a State 
legislature or by a municipal council. 
The milk law enacted in 1895 made it the duty of the health offi- 
cer of the District of Columbia, under direction of the Commission- 
ers, to make and enforce regulations to secure proper water supply, 
drainage, ventilation, air space, floor space, and cleaning of all dairies 
and dairy farms within said District ; to secure the isolation of cattle 
suffering from any contagious disease, and to carry into effect the 
provisions of the act. These regulations were duly made, and under 
date of June 26, 1895, were approved by the Commissioners. 6 It was 
the belief of the health officer that these regulations should be spe- 
cific rather than general, and as originally drafted they were of the 
former character. The then attorney for the District, however, enter- 
tained a different opinion, and in deference to his more extended 
experience with respect to such matters the regulations were reduced 
a See page 808 for full text of law. 
b Report of the Health Officer, 1896, page 256. 
