The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-09-19
Wisconsin Food and Dairy
Commission.

o THE EDITOR by an almost I'M
animous vote the Wisconsin Legisla-
ture passed bill establishing this
Department as state Office. In
the conviction of those who have
given the matter any attention, the
measure is wise one. The state of
Wisconsin has become great CON-
monwcalth with a thousand and one
interests. The clamor of our peo-
pie for cheaper food, for cheaper
wear and for cheaper everything has
had pernicious result upon the
purity of articles offered for sale by
our tradesmen. The people ask for
low price foods and in many cases
the merchants are unable to supply
the demand with an honest article,
and fraud is resorted to. The mer-
chants, in turn, must have goods
that are called for and the manufac-
turer is drawn into the gap and max
es the spurious article. Although
the public in large measure is re-
sponsible for the situation, the state
steps in and volunteers to protect
the consumer. A man may cry new
er SO loud for cheap foods, but an
instance is yet to be cited where he
has called for fraudulent food, and
it is no more than just that he should
receive what he assumes he is pay
ing his money for. Again, the man
ufacturer of food stuff is taking the
place of the producer of food. 1t is
the duty of every state to protect
the largest number possible. An
honest manufacturer should be pro-
tected and fostered by every COM
munity, but a man who sails under
false colors and makes an article
with his eyes open and then sells it
for what it is not, should be tried
and condemned in the estimation of
the people, to the extent of with
drawing patronage. A large part of
fraudulent goods are made outside
the state, where Wisconsin laws have
no force, which is a great compli-
ment to the honesty of Wisconsin
manufacturers. The intent and
purpose of the law is that this class
of spurious food shall be placed be-
yond the reach of the consumer
His health and longevity should be
protected at any cost. Wisconsin
men are becoming known for Drawn
and brain and the standard ought to
be maintained. The consumer is an
innocent buyer. He places forty
cents on the counter and asks for a
pound of coffee. His package
should contain coffee and nothing
else. If he asks for sugar he assum.
es that there is no glucose in it. If
farmer makes an honest pound of
butter he cannot afford to throw it
into the open market in competition
with lard or tallow so manipulated
that his city friend smacks his lips
and pronounces it good butter even
though his stomach revolt after he is
asleep,
The state has purchased and fitted
chemical laboratory for techni-
cal analysis of all human food, drugs
and drinks. A competent chemist
has been placed in charge who is
both capable and willing to do his
part toward establishing a better
standard. A butter and cheese ex-
pert has taken charge of the dairy
department and a complete organi-
cation has been effected to do good
work. Fifteen thousand copies of
the laws relating to the duties and
powers of the department have been
distributed throughout the state to
manufacturers and dealers in order
that responsible persons may be in
possession of facts which shall gov
ern their subsequent action Many
sensational statements and news
paper articles have been made in
reference to adulteration of food
during the past year. Some are
largely overdrawn, but there is no
doubt that there is good ground for
complaint. By careful estimate it
has been demonstrated that the fac
tory has supplanted at least twenty
five per cent. of honest production.
1t is question of vital interest to
honest manufacturers and honest
producers that. this infamous bust
ness be called to halt. No state
department can reach its utmost
efficiency without the cooperation
of the citizens of the state If a
perfect understanding could be es-
tablished between the honest pro-
Queer, the honest dealer, the honest
consumer, the honest manufacturer,
and this Department, it would not
be long before the representatives
of illegitimate business would seek
ether employment. 1t would add
much to the efficiency of the Depart
ment if every dealer and producer
would report to the Office any case
which he has occasion to think
ought to be investigated. Any per-
son who has not already been sup