The times., 1899-04-03
AJuIterated Food.

Great reforms move slowly. and although
the Beef Enquiry may insert few ideas
into the American mind about the whole
someness of canned meat, 1t viii take some
time TO convince the people that if there
is any one thing on the face of the earth
which should be subjected to careful su-
peryision it is the food supply OF the ma
ton. 1t is not generally understood that
if people are fed ON wholesome food and
plenty OF it they are less inclined to com
nit crimes and upset the social order gem
orally. Booker Washington contributed
one proverb to our language when he said
that IL was hard to make a good Chris
tian of hungry man. Possibly, if the
man is starving himself of mis- own ac-
cord some sort of saintship may result,
but the man who does not have enough
to eat and knows it. and longs for the good
things of which he is deprived. is not
likely TO walk very carefully in the paths
of morality.
Besides this. there are the various adul-
terations SO skillfully managed as to be
imperceptible. These produce headaches,
decayed teeth. various insidious diseases.
and general lack OF healthy tone. which
predispose TO wrongdoing. Even very
good people, if not properly fed. sometimes
grow exacung and little impatient with
those about them. or perhaps become mo-
rose and downhearted, so that their i'm
mediate vicinity is about as agreeable as
that OF an orthodox English fog. No
| body knows Just how far bad food is re-
sponsible for the discomforts of society
! II is like original sin-a little OF it goes
| a great way, and nobody can tell where
/ it will stop or how much grace is required
TO eradicate it.
More than one person, after going
through q canning factory has been heard
to say, Il shall never eat that stuff againi"
When the main object of a manufacturer
is to make money. lie sometimes allows
things TO go into the can in shape which
would horrify the old-fashioned housewife;
and as for germs he wastes no time in
/ considering these. nor is he always par
| ticulsr about the quality OF his tin cans.
! OF course, a majority of the canned meat.
! fruit. and vegetables which one buys at
reputable groceries is properly prepared.
but there are unscrupulous dealers whose
/ products go to those who cannot afford to
pay fancy prices for their groceries. and
then the consumer suffers. Ultimately the
public also suffers, for sickness and death
/ in the commonwealth affect, in time, ey-
cry individual in it.
The canning factories are not the only
offenders, however Some bakeries would
not bear close inspection any better. and
the kitchen of the average hotel would
not be an appetizing sight to any of the
| guests who sit at its table. Perhaps the
| time will come, some day. when all places
| in which food is prepared will be con-
structed with glass doors or some other
coniriyance. so that everyone can see what
gees on there. It is possible to cook din
ners for :: hotel full of people, and keep
all the appurtenances Of the kitchen as
| shining. dainty, and attractive in appear
ance as trained cooks little skillets and
pans. or the dairy OF an old-fashioned
housewife, but for such a kitchen staff
OF trained domeslics is needed. II is also
possible to conduct a bakery on the same
principle. and some bakeries are so man
| aged. With intelligence ON the part OF the
workmen or worlwoincn, and determine