The Great Dairy Board Debate

To the Editor: In your report of legislative proceedings in today's Post-Intelligencer, you refer to S. B. No. 5, the dairy bill, and the committee recommendation for its passage, creating a state board to consist of five members of dairy commissioners. As a dairyman and one taking a deep interest in the action of the legislature, I would like to call the attention of the public to one very important point. The bill asks for an appropriation of $15,000 per annum, out of which sum no less than one-third goes to the said five commissioners as salary, to which must be added traveling expenses, and also another third as salary to the secretary. I desire to say that myself and every man I have talked to fail to see why we need any board. We want one official under the control of the governor, so that we may have direct responsibility and control. If there is any violation of the act, the official can institute proceedings through the county attorney without having to consult with a board. We desire an act that shall be constitutional, that shall prevent the sale of any 'bogus' material for our genuine dairy product, and we want this at the least possible cost. We don't want a bill that practically makes two-thirds of its appropriation for the payment of five or six officials, when one can do the work better and at a reduction of the year's cost.