Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-11-03
IMPORTINSPECTION
Secretary Morton's Plan to
Meet German Prohibition.
PROPOSES TO GORE THE OTHER OK.
Many Foreign Products Adulterated, and
He viii Recommend Inspection on
This Side of the Wa.er-A German Wine
That Seems Badly "Watered''-CarlisIe
Likely to Let MOrtOn's Coach nan Stay
President Moves to WO0dley.


President Moves to woodley.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3.-Secrctary Nor
ton, OF the agricultural deoartment, is Civ
ing earnest attention to the question of
the inspection OF foods exported from and
imported into the United States, and as
result may suggest some very radical steps
In his next report. The recent action of
Germany IN prohibiting the reception Of
American cattle and. dressed beef into her
ports has brought the system-or lack of
systcm-to the front as vital question
Secretary Morton thinks the principle of
requiring inspection of foods and drinks is
wise one II properly and efficiently en-
forced, but thinks also that the present
regulations governing commerce between
the United States and Germany, France.
and other countries are in some respects
dlsadvantagcous to American interests
Will Propose Inspection of Imports.
The principal importations from those
countries TO America--wincs. brandies and
beer-comc in without any assurance to
the buyers that they are obtaining pure
articles, free from adulteration beyond
the representations of the firms from
which they are purchased, In speaking of
the matter Secretary Morton said: Il
have decided to recommend in my next
report that an inspection of these inn
ports he provided for. There should be "a
microscopicai inspection at the ports of
entry to detect the presence of adultcra-
ton and the shipments should be in.
spected Also by officials of the countries
f,.,,,, ,tf,I fl..,. x
their purity furnished
French Wines Badly Adulterated.
In this connection the secretary called
attention TO Il report made to the depart
ment of state some years ago by Consul
George w. Roosevelt, at Bordeaux, upon
the adulteration of Bordeaux wines in
which, after citing various methods of
adulterttiOn ard coloring which had come
under his observation. the consul gave it
as his Judgment that 30 per cent. of the
wines and brandieS sent to the United
States from that district were faisified.
placed under labels of brands of hisrher
quality and adultcrated with poisonous
chemicals. He reported that the process
known as ''wetting'' was winkcd mt by
the customs officers and chamber of com
mcrcc when rcsorted to by exporters, and
suggested the organization of a bureau of
aii'iiySis at ports Oh entry silnliar to those
attached To- the French service
A Remarkable Rhine Wine.
The secretary has reason to believe that
much of this sort of imposition is still
| thrust upon the American people One
instance has come under his observation
of the large importations into the United
States of a certain brand of Rhine wine
WEIGH can be produced only in a small
tract of Germany but of which this conn.
try receives more than that particular tract
is capable of producing. The impression
prey ails that Germany's action in rxclud-
ing American meats is intended as retalia-
ton FOR the new sugar schedule; but the
government officials in talking of the
matter accept the assurances of the Ger
| man ambassador that the prohibition is
based solely on sanitary grounds.