Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-02
PURE FOODCONGRESS
Initial Meeting Of Organization at
Columbian University.
WELCOMING ADDRESS BY Mr.. ROSS
Addresses by Several Eminent Advo.
Gates Of Pending Legislation.
LIST OF ELEG ATE S

The pure food oI-gress was convened in
the lecture hall of the Columbian Univer-
sity at 1870 o'clock today, and the attend
ance exceeded the most sanguine expecta-
tons of the promoters. The initial meeting
which will lay the foundation for perma-
nent organization, gives promise of emf
nent success.
Mr.. Frank Hume of this city called the
meeting to order. with Mr.. Alexander We'd
derburn as secretary, when proceedings
were opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. B. L.
Whitman, president of the Columbian Uni
versity. In a brief opening address Mr.
Hume said:
'It will not be out of place to state that
the work which you are here to perform is
of the greatest national Importance. 1t ex-
tends beyond the nation, for it effects ev-
cry people where we export our foods and
drugs 1t may interest you to add that the
bill which you will conx4iTs. H. r. d41
Known as the BrOsius bill, 10 in fact an eyo-
luton; that Is, it is an improvement upon
its predecessors, and that from the days OF
the Forty-eighth Congress, when Repre-
sentative William Greene of North Caro-.
ceeding Congress has had before it for con-
sheraton a bill of this character
Mr.. Hume then spoke specifically of the
efforts that have been made to secure legis-
lation in the interest of pure food, and
what has been accomplished in that direc-
ton. down to the present time, when he
concluded by saying:
Step In Right Direction.
THE bill before you is up to date. and
while it may not be all that we might de.
sire, yet it Is a step in the right direction
and will accomplish immense good to all
classes of our people.
The passage of this bill If properly
brought to the attention of Congress is an
assured fact, If you gentlemen unite in its
Endorsement, and upon your wisdom and
discretion depends largely this most i'm
portant measure in the interest of health,
morals and business.
'On behalf of the call committee thank
each and every one of you for responding
so heartily to the invitation to aid in pro-
noting one OF the most important measures
now before the Congress. Its enactment
into law will not only be benefit to food
consumers in our own country, but also
inspire confidence In our food exports in
foreign countries"
The call was read by Mr.. Matthew W
Trimble. 1t has previously been published
in The Star.
Welcoming Address.
Mr.. John W Ross, president of the boar
by Chairman Hume to welcome the dele
gates to the city Of Washington. Mr.. Ros.
said:
Ihtre cannot be a more laudable pur
Pcse affecting the material interests o,
the people than that which has brough,
together today at the national capital these
representative citizens of the United States
IRE TACT seems to be well established
that large quantities of commodities which
food 0f mil
are not what they purport to be. Many
are deemed dangerous to the health O
the consumer. and very many are fraudu
lent. The effect upon the public health o.
the sale OF such food products would no
be SO injurious, IL the public could have
full knowledge of the ingredients which
actually enter into the manufacture of this
food offered for sale. But the average
housewife has not the means of ascer
tanning accurately what dangerous COM
pcnent may have been used in the manu-
facture of the food which she prepares fol
her family-the physician cannot Away.
cetect the adulteratton of the drug which
he prescrlbes in his practice.
1T would seem, therefore, to be the plain
duty Of the federal government to provide
a statute which may be operative In this
District and in the territories of the United
States, and which may also properly reg
tlate, under the constitutional provision,
the commerce between the states of the
Union. by providing penalties for the in
PRODUCTION into this District or a territory
or any of the states, from any other jul
risdiction. of any adulterated or initiated
drug or food product.
1t Is at common law an indictable Of
Tense to prepare food for human beings
containing unwholesome constituents, or
TO knowingly sell food unfit for consump-
ton; but. for effective results, a statute Is
needed to prescribe rules of evidence and
the mode of obtaining evidence, and to
place upon some national authority the
duty of detecting the crime and of pros
ecuting the criminal In the preparation
Of such a statute. while taking every pre-
caution to protect the interests Of the pub
lie. care should be had to avoid unneces-
sdry annoyance and trouble to legitimate
manufacturers, who may be fully mindful
Of the responsibilities owed by them to the
public.
THE effect of impure food upon the
young is especially to be deprecated. Many
of the corrections which are SO tempting
to all of tender age are said to be danger
Gus to their health. The milk upon which
they subsist is often sold in an impure OF
innutritious condition. A dill to prevent
the sale of adulterated candy in the Dis
the health officer of the District. and has
been passed by the House of Representa-
tiyes.
One Bill Approved.
"An act of Congress which had the sane
ton of the Medical Association of the Dis
trict. relating to the adulteration of foods
and drugs, which 1t is believed will tend to
improve existing conditions in this juris-
diction. was approved by the President Feb
ruary II, 1893.
1T is not my purpose to detain you by
any detailed discussion of this important
subject matter. That may well be left to
the many eminent delegates to your con-
vention, who have given close attention tc
the existing evils and to the best available
remedies therefor 1 assure you that the
Commissioners of the District of Columbia
the health officer. the Medical Society Of the
District. the druggists of the District, the
Washington board of trade and our infiu.
entail press are all heartily In sympathy
with you in this good work. We appreciate
the honor conferred upon our city by YOU
selection Of It as your place of assemblage
You have chosen wisely. The promoter OF
a good and laudable cause in such a con-