The times., 1898-03-03
THE PURE FOOD CONGRESS
lis First Session Held at the
Columbian University.
WELCOMED B{ MR.. ROSS
Many Speeches Made in Which tie
AduItcratiun of Provisions L. Sc
yc,eiy Condemne d /. I.egislhtion
Urged a Joint session at Night
with the Chemical Society.

The first Pure Food Congress ever held
ia this city. composed Of representative
men from every part OF the country. met
al the Columbian University at L o'clock
yesterday
Mr. Frank Hume called the meeting to
order. after which Rev B. L. Whitman,
president of Columbian University, offered
prayer. In making his opening address
AIr Hume began by saying. THE work
which you are here TO perform is one of
the greatest national Importance. 1t ex-
tends beyond the nation, for it affects
all to whom we export our foods
and drugs. 1t may be of interest TO you
to add that the bin which you are TO con
sider-the Brosius bills in fact an evo-
luton, am Improvement upon its prede-
cessors. and that from the days of the
FOrty-eighth Congress.
Mr.. Hume then gave a resume of the
efforts that have been put forth in Con-
gress in recent years.
The call was read by Mr.. Matthew
Trimble.
Mr.. John w. Ross. president Of the
Board of District Commissioners. was
introduced by Mr.. Hume, ard welcomed
the delegates on behalf of The city Of
Washington. He said in part:
There cannot be a more laudable pur-
pose affecting the material interests of
the people. than that which has brought
together today at the national capital
these representative citizens of the United
States
The fact seems to be well established
that large quantities of commodities
which constitute the food supply of our
people are not what they purport to be
The effect upon the public health of the
sale Of such food products would not be
so injurious if the people could have the
knowledge of the ingredients which act
ually enter into the manufacture of the
food offered for sale.
1T would seem to be the plain
duty Of the Federal Government
TO provide statute which would he oper-
ative in this District and in the Terrific
ries, under the constitutional provision,
and may also properly regulate the COM
meTce between the States, by providing
penalties for the Introduction into the Dis
| trict or a territory, or any of the States
| from any other jurisdiction. OF any adul-
| terated drug, food or product. In the prep
! aration ofsuch q statute while taking
| every rrecaution to protect the interests
of the IUtlic, care should be taken to
avoid unnecessary annoyance and trou-
! bic TO legitimate manufacturers, who
may be fully mindful of the responsible
ties owed by them TO the public"
Mr.. Hume then introduced j. H. Bing-
| ham, assistant secretary Of the Depart
| ment Of Agriculture. who had been unan-
inously chosen temporary chairman Il
the meeting. MIR. Bingham, in accepting,
made few remarks assuring the dele
gates o. The support of the Department
of Agriculture i'm anything that might
lead 10 the improvement that is needed
in the food products Of the country.
The first thing proceeded TO on the
regular program mapped out for the con-
gress was the hearing of "A number cf
short addresses on the subject Of pure
food Congressman Brosius the author
Of the bill bearing his name, was the
first He referred TO the existing evils OF
food aduiterstion and said that men who
make lar- rH- of ta1low ard cot.onsee ed
oil and sanctify it by placing thereon
the label Of a hogs head We're not on that
plane Of commercial honesty that we
would ike TO see established.
Mr. Aaron Jones. Of Indiana. master ot
the National Grange. was the next
speaker. He said that ii was the duty oi
everyone to put forth every effort Il
accomplish the end in view He said that
those congressman who did not help tc
secure the passage Of a pure food lii
would have 10 answer TO their constitu.
ents
The remainder of the afternoon was
devoted 10 the organization of commit.
tees
The congress met in joint session lasr
night With the Chemical Society anG
heard ali address by Prof w D. BigIoe
on Legislation in Regard TO Food Adul.
teration.'
The congress viii hold another session
I today.