The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-23
Commissioner Mel Donald Win Put
It IN Operation Sept. /.
HAS 4 BENEFICIAL EFFECT.
Gsoas Give way e
Shelves-Connisslo Does Vet
Anticipate Opposition % En-
give the Act = Theeeush Test.

Friday. September I, ten days from to-
day. Pure Food Commissioner E. A. Nc
Donald win enforce the provisions OF the
pure food act passed by the last legislature
Mr.. Mcdonald has nearly completed the
work OF obtaining chemical analyses OF the
various food products, beverages. etc. sold
throughout the state, and is prepared to
take measures to secure the enforcement
OF the act az soon as the expiration of the
time which he allowed state dealers TO pre-
pare themselves for the operation Of the
law.
Mr.. Mcdonald has just returned from an
official visit to San Francisco. where he
went to obtain specific Information rela-
tive to certain goods sold In Washington
and more particularly to gain knowledge
Of the mode OF procedure under the Cali
fornia act. which Is much Ike that passed
by the washington legislature. Yesterday
at his office in tn ePioneer building. Com
missioner Mcdonald told Poe.-Intelllgen-
Ger reporter that the machinery OF his
Soff2ce and OF that of the state chemist was
In excellent shape for Z practical test OF
the pure food law in this state. II such
contingency arose.
1T Is now generally known by wholesale
and retail dealers in food products and
beverages In this state that shall rigadly
enforce the provisions Of the washington
pure food law after September L.. said Mr..
Mcdonald. During the past month I
have received hundreds Of communications
from manufacturers. jobbers and whole
sale dealers relative 70 the wording and
effect OF the act. have also received
many requests from manufacturers within
the state to have their goods analysed,
that they might know where they stand.
The state chemist. Mr.. Fuimer, has rapid
ly handled the samples have sent him,
and the result IL that this Office Is well
supplied with information touching the
com~,sition OF articles sold In the state
which come under the provisions OF the
law.
1T cannot be denied that in this state
much impure food products have been
sold: by that I mean that many products
and manufactured articles purporting to
be certain thing. but In reality contain
ing foreign ingredients, have been COM
monty sold. In many cases the foreign
substance. We have ascertained by the an
alyses made, has not been Injurious. while
at the same time 1t has constituted an
adulterasion.
"of course. trafIic In these goods. after
September I. viii be in violation Of the
law. and will not be allowed. I do not
mean to be an afarmlst, but II might as
well be known that the law will he strictly
enforced. As far as have been able to
judgfie, and I have watched the matter
closely. the bulk OF dealers In this state,
both Wholesale and retail, have shown =
frank willingness 20 abide by the law
This ia evidenced daily In letters sent to
me in which inquiry ia made touching the
relation OF this or that compound 10 the
law. This shows that both manufacturers
and jobbers are trying to conform their
business to the law.
II have no reason to fear the opposition
Of the respectable dealers and manufac-.
turers In the enforcement Of the act. That
1t will cause'loss In some quarters ID fore
gone. but everywhere ind desire among
the jobbers and retailers 10 aid In the en-
forcement of the act. That II has already
done much good Is apparent to any one
who Is posted and who will examine the
stocks carried by the dealers OF the state"
Mr. Mcdonald is in receipt of an invita-
ton to attend the forthcoming session OF
the pure food congress- at Denver, Septem-
Der q lie has been assigned to read a
paper to the congress.