The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-12

Made Illegal the Manufactur-
ers VIII BE Compelled to Label
Their Productions PIainIy-se-
we're Tests for Beer and Food and
Drink Products at Washington.
CHICAGO, May 11.-Before the senate
pure food commission today four prom
1nent witnesses testified as to the effect
on the human stomach of the use of anti
septics and "embalming fluids and pre-
servatives in foods and drink. In gem
erela they were agreed that the substances
used were deleterious, and that in many
cases they were poisonous. Either pro-
h1bit their use. they declared or compel
the manufacturer and user to brand them
plainly and explicitly so that the consum-
er may know exactly what is being eaten.
These witnesses were Henry G. Piffard,
New York physician; Abbott c. Pres
colt, dean of the school Of pharmacy of
the university Of Michigan and professor
OF hygienic chemistry; Victor c. Vaughn,
dean of the medical faculty of Ann Ar
Dor and professor of hygiene, and H c.
Adams, dairy and food commissioner in
Wisconsin
Dr. PiHard made specific references to
foods and drugs which were being gen
orally adulterated, sometimes with dan
gereus results to the consumer. Bromo
seltzer, he said, is one Of these. Prop
erly it should consist of bromide of potas-
sium or some other substance of that
kind, and the ingredients of seltzer wa
ter. But it appears he continued,
that aeetanilide is being extensively used
instead. In the now famous Adams case
the experts examination of the bromo
showed the presence of the acute poison
Of acetanilide, so that 1 believe it's use
Is widespread"
COMMISSION WILL ACT.
The commissioners made this statement
at the close of the day.
'sThe things which seem to stick out
above the details of the investigation are
the facts that antiseptics are used indis-
crtminately and to defraud and de-
! eefve, that they are in most cases dele
terious and in some positively dangerous
| Second, that In the absence of explicit
| labels. dishonest manufacturers are en-
| abled to put spurious goods on the mar
ket. These things, will be looked after
| in the proposed legislation
| The testimony of witnesses already
heard has attracted wide attention in
all parts Of the country. Letters are be-
| ginning to pour in from New York, San
| Francisco and other cities in general ac-
| cord with the testimony as published.
| Among others letter came from Jacob
| Baise Of New York. today, emphasizing
the statements made on coffee by Graeme
| Stewart.
Senator Mason left tonight for Horton,
Kan, where he Is to deliver commence
ment address. Senator Harris will exam
Inc several witnesses tomorrow and will
| then leave for New York. The commits
| sion's work In Chicago will be postponed
after tomorrow for an indefinite time.
GOODS TO BE TESTED
Beer is to be put to a severe test by
| the commission. scientific analysts of
| all brands offered in the open market will
| be made by the government experts at
| Washington, and their report will become
| a part of the commissions records. Sen
ator Mason said that the regulations in
regard to beer should receive serious at
| tention.
| The commission has purchased in Chi
| cago many samples Of butter, pepper,
| coffee, jellies and canned goods for an
| alytical examination In Washington. The
samples will be freed of their labels and
| the experts will make their Investigations
! without knowledge Of the brand or source
! of the articles.