RELATION OF VETERINARY PRACTITIONER TO FOOD INSPECTION. 
571 
is the only man qualified by training to render an efficient and 
appreciative service. 
The reasons why these positions are not filled by veterina¬ 
rians are: First. Such positions come under the head of what is 
known as “ Political jobs ” and veterinarians are too busy with 
their work to perfect themselves in the art of modern city poli¬ 
tics. Second. The salaries paid are no inducement to a trained 
veterinarian. These positions are filled by non-professional men 
and the supply far exceeds the demand. The law of supply and 
demand is operative here, as elsewhere, and in this instance the 
supply is based upon the quantity of professional politicians who 
must be rewarded, because they have helped to elect the ticket, 
and not upon the quality of men as determined on the basis of 
training, experience and competitive examinations. 
Everywhere the world is demanding service and while often 
distressingly slow, is in the end willing to pay for it. The pub¬ 
lic will not long be content with a proposition so absurd as hav¬ 
ing part of its food supply under a most efficient Federal in¬ 
spection and the remainder without supervision or in the hands 
of men who, no matter how good their intentions may be, are 
incompetent to give the protection expected, as guardians of the 
public health. 
Food Inspection in Small Cities and Towns. 
The need of food inspection, all things considered, is as great 
in small cities and towns as in large cities, but the problem of 
finance is more difficult and the present small appreciation of its 
importance renders the support of such a proposition almost im¬ 
possible. Many cities with a population of from 5,000 to 10,000 
have adopted, more or less, effective measures to insure a more 
sanitary milk supply, but have not extended the work to include 
the inspection of other foods. 
The requirements in milk and dairy inspection throughout 
the country are far from being uniform, are often inadequate 
and sometimes impractical and absurd. In small cities the super¬ 
vision of the milk supply is usually in the hands of the city 
