The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-02
FOOD LAWS TOO LENIENT
STATE DAIRY AND FOOD CONNIs-
SION WANTS THEM CHANGED
Laws Passed Before AduIte-afion
Had Reached Its Present Extent
Imposed Light Penaities---Henyy
Fines SuGEested-Lnyya Ia IL Con-
fused State.

The state dairy and food commission,
in it's report to the governor, which
is now being prepared, will make sweep
ing recommendations for the complete
revision and codifcation of the dairy
laws of the state.
Many of the laws relating to the
workings of the state dairy commission
ard the various functions which it per
forms are in such shape on the statute
books that it is quite difficult for the
department, in many cases, to secure
convictions.
The law under which the department
is now working was passed in 1885.
and long before the adulteration of
food products was carried on as an in
dustry in Minnesota and sister states.
Consequently, in many cases the pen
aitles are too low to carry out success
fully the intention of the law, and it
is with a view to enable the depart
nlent to better cope with the many
fraudulent impositions upon the pub
peditious, that the commission sug-
gests revision of the present laws
regulating the department.
Since the commission was first estab-
lished in 1885 many desirable laws
have been passed. but they have been
placed upon the statute books as
amendments and have become so con-
difficult for any one to say just what
the laws mean.
The powers of the commission are
limited. especially in cases of lumpy
jaw or diseased cattle. The state board
of health has authority to kill such cat
tie and prosecute the owner of the
cattle, if proper precautions to guard
against the spread of the disease have
not been taken. rs'rs. ~t
The commission will ask the legisla-
ture to give it authority to confiscate
such cattle and also to increase the fine
in such cases from a maximum Of $50
to 500. A clause will also be included
in the proposed general law which will
bring all cases within the district mu-
nicipal court. At present, where the
maximum fine is over S10O, the case has
to be brought in the district court,
which causes additional expense and
delay in securing convictions.
The last legislature passed a law
regulating the sale OF linseed oil, but
made no appropriation to carry on the
analytical work Of the department. This
law was one Of the most salutary
measures passed by the last legislature.
The adulteration of linseed Oil has
grown to alarming proportions. If the
manufacturer of the pure article has t
compete with the adulterated product
the farmer feels the effects Immediately
in a reduced price paid for his seed by
the leginlitate manufa cturer. The next
legislature will be asked for liberal
appropriation to enable the commission
to carry out the provisions of the act
Of 1897.
In ny cases the laws regulating tn
conviction of the vendors Of adulterated
goods of all kinds are not explicit, al
though the commission, with the courts
on it's side, has been able to secure a
great many convictions, which has had
tendency to drive more illigimate
manufacturers out of the state this
year more than ever before.
Oleomargerine will come in for several
| sections in the proposed new law. AT
present there are two laws relating to
| the conditions Of its sale, and the prose
| cution Of parties who violate their pro-