New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-19
RIGID INSPECTION NEEDED
EXPORTS OF AMERICAN DAIRY PROD
UCTS
SECRETARY WILSON'S EFFORTS TO OBTAIN
AUTHORITY FROM CoNGREss-HOw TRADE
MAY BE EXTENDED
fsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBuxE.l

fBr TELEGRAPH TO TEIRUSE.l
Washington. Jan. 1.-THE controversy which -
going on over Army beef and meat inspection calls
attention to the subject OF Government inspection
generally Of agricultural products. both in this
country and abroad. While the United States IN
spection is effective. far It goes II Is by
no means so comprehensive IN other countries.
and this fact has been several times called 20 the
attention Of Congress by the Secretary OF Agri-
culture with the request that his authority fo- in
spection be extended TO include articles which can
now be shipped regardless OF purity quality or
healthfulness. The Secretary maintains that rigid
Government inspection OF all agricultural products
IL highly important. especially at this time when
the United States Is striving to widen its foreign
markets. and when foreigners. alarmed at the In
roads which this country is making In their mar
kets. are endeavorirg by hook by crook 10
clude such products
All meats exported opicaly inspected.
and the Secretary OF Agriculture is willing TO and
does stand behind this inspection and guarantees
TO foreigners buying such meats that they are alb
solutely free from disease infection at the time
OF shipping. The Secretary is making spe-
cia effort 70 have Congress include dairy products
in this work The future abroad for American butter
cheese and condensed milk IS a bright provided
these articles can, when exported. be branded in
some way so that they will stand their own
merits and not be sold products OF other coun-
tries or be obliged 10 compete with the inferior
American products exported by unscrupulous
dealers
We have been working" Secretary Wilson said.
for the last years trying establish reputa-
ton abroad for American butter. We found at the
outset conditions decidedly against American
butter had poor reputation. the better grades
being sold under some other name and the inferior
grades bringing low price. The Department has,
at considerable expeL sc. established the excellence
OF our butter in a number OF foreign markets es-
pecialiy England. and parties who care for
nothing but the ready cash they realize from
single sale two undoing this work
rapidly possible by offering for sale IN these
markets as the best American miserable stun.
renovated and worked-over butter which tends rap
idly pull down and destroy the established repu-
taton Of the American creamery product The only
remedy Is in Government inspection before
shipment. II American butter going abroad car
ries It the United States Government inspection
tag. foreign buyers will have guarantee that It is
pure. wholesome and OF the standard claimed.
There are always class Of American mer-
chants who more for tho nimble sixpence than
for their regulations or for the reputation Of
their country. We have had various experiences
OF this kind before and they have always been dis
sstrous 10 American foreign trade. We take
some lessons from Canada and Australia on this
subject Of government inspection Of dairy products
Canada makes large quantities OF cheese. and 30
per cent OF II is for export TO Great Britain Years
Canada in exporting cheese 10 Great Britain our
annual sales the mother country being 1870 900
price in the London market 1t was fine cheese.
Then came the product known as hlled' cheese-a
cheese made by substituting for cream worth 20
cents pound animal fats and wastes worth prob
ably two cents pound-and this cheese was
dumped upon the British market as high-grade
American creamery cheese The result was that
exports Of cheese TO Great Britain went down
TO few million pounds year, and Canadian eK-
ports went up cOTTospondlngly. The Canadian Gov
eminent inspects its cheese. The inspection is a
guarantee which English buyers recognize. That
United States creameries can still produce good
cheese Is evidenced by the fact that Canadian
houses send their agents into the United States and
buy UP hundreds Of tons OF the best American
cheese and export II from Canada as Canadian OBJ
tanning for II the highest London price That Is
the way our best cheese goes TO England. Ameri-
exports OF cheese. too are on the up grade.
annual sales 10 England now being about thirty
million pounds but the quality Is not uniform and
foreign buyers are apt 10 look with distrust upon
carries no guarantee. '-
1.-THE way for this country to establish a firm and
substantial foreign trade In dairy products Is TO
provide for their official inspection before leav-
ing it5 shores. the same os Is done by Canada,
Australia and other countries and the she
row does with respect meats and animals"