New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-30
ESTIMATED
PTRE FOOD LEGISLATION.
NOTHING LIKELY TO TIE DONE BY THE
PRESENT CONGRESS DIFFfCULTY OF
r.pAuT%G PROPER LAW

Uaebing,on Ian ~ (SpeclaD-Pure food legls-
lation IS not likely to be accomplished By this Con-
gross The Senate Pure Food bin has been reported
by the Agricultural Committee Of that branch Of
Congress and has been placed on the calendar but
II cannot be reached I'm the regular order Of bust
ness and even II were such a debate would be
precipliatcd as to kill it's chances o. enactment In
the remaining days Of the short session.
The Identical bill in the House. known as the
Brosius bill is meeting with opposition, and is not
yet out OF committee. Representative Fischer, or
Brooklyn appeared before the Interstate and For
eign Commerce Committee OF the House. which
has charge OF this bill and made some strong oo-
iections to the liquor and other provisions OF the
proposed law and few days later he Introduced
lii in the House which proposes TO remedy the
alleged defects Of the Brosius bill. Mr.. Fischer.
while strongly IN favor OF pure food legislation
finds much fault WITH the provisions Of the Brosus
bill especially as E, affects the wine and liquor in
teresis Of this country He said recently:
This subject Of pure food and beverages is very ,
important and extensive one. and cannot De hhstS
considered and disposed OF. There are provisions
Of the Brosius bill which | consider unconstltu-
tonal and others which If enforced would dt ,H
American manufacturers out Of business. and ms,
too ia the interests OF foreigners, In my bll
but I admi; that my bill is not perfect and Is su,
feet TO criticism and Improvement; The Broslu-
Gul provide among other things. that the dealers
shal he reatilrrd to furnish evidence against them
elves: that they must sell samples 10 Govern
in case they refuse to do SO This Is against ne
constitutional Amendment when vests hucn 'lsn.s
in the States alone. As mater Oh Idct' ~, y,
York has sucn "A law upon IT, statute BOOKS bul J,
has never been cniDfc'rl mnu which w"uld
eyceed anv bread riots ohio also has law 10 the
cne't ,c ,,6 rs a matter OF fact the pure wines
If ohio contain not to exceed ~ per cent Oh nVVioi
AM NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ,V either spoil their wines by
missing - pure alcohol or else 20 OUT OF tue o"S'
hTSs otto these instances to show that some care
l T3' 10 f,ken in cnaclng National law. II It is
info ed
6Semed 10 mean fermcntcd juice of undrled fruits;
dGeeu ncb additions as pure sugar to perfect It and
WIZ 1Is,illeJ spirits 10 preserve H. ana ingredients
p. cessnrv 10 line or clarity H. not injurious TO
hheeeIib provided that it snail contain az least -
PER fh case Of spiritous liquors the Government
test is 10 but no man but Swedish sailor can n
drink such a product Whisky is usually mixed
with prIne juice glyc"iine, etc. 10 max IL IatI-
atable and smooth but such blending, under the
Hrnsius hin would be considered an adulteration
Nv idea is that whiskey containing about - per
cent Of aicomU @ whiskcy That is about the
test that high grade whistles viii show.
The Brosus bill provides that generic names sneh
as port" and sherry and .ehani,,aggne sh ia
not be used This would ruin me C.liforna t ~Ine
Ororto Portugal but IT has come TO mean heaEy.
dark wine and champagne rh"wse to3K JUS ,,s nam
from Tho Province OF Champagne but u mas conc
10 mean a sparkling wine. and there Is no question:
that American manufacturers nave TELL ,,es 20
manufacture American chamIasne ana p ors VIZ" W.,
If the right To style their wines were thhtt
from them nd 5h ,Sn " fber Business HIS bin is
fourth attempt which mas been made 10 r't s Ser
American
"rss fnr Al the same time that American manu-
factlrers would be prevented from selling sp"it
v,ine other than thar coming from oporto >" per
cent OF the imported port wine never Sros
oporto II comes from Hamburg ana o'her places'
and IFS name simply signifies a dark heavy wine,
and II is no more Oporio wine than me Ah1Ilcaii
nrodnct our manufacturers should not be allowed
10 entlte their wines ''OportO port. pu' 'heS ""''
the right to call II port .,,,,,
In The case OF flour selfraising hour OF various on,
Kinds which is sold under Il proprietary uur If io'
nure flour: IL contains yeast properties SAT- ely
and for this reason II could mol be sod' uhue' ''''
Ifrosius bill = wheat nOur. -.
The question OF constructing pure IGou n aH
,.hich can be enforced IL very serious one, ana
mink such a bill should 20 TO the Judiciary C ON
mite. There are too many legal points lnVoirtt"
-" .u,~t such a law I'm a haphaZard manner. ! NJ
s,,t',.ct is a technical and Judicial one lhrfs
- ,b.nsands Of foods and beverages. ana chci,
,. has lis interests which must be considered anu
D,rNrarlv protected The subject OF pure food ia"
m oP,nost as exhaustive question ~ The enactment
~ a tariff law.