The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-01

The subcommittee appointed By the
Senate Committee on Manufactures 10 in
Nestigaje he adulteration Of food and drink
products made the fun report of its pro
ceedings O he Senate yesterday. This sub
committee. Of which Senator Mason was
Chairman, was authorized 10 set during
the recess Of Congress and 10 take testi-
mony in various cities In beginning its
report The subcommittee SAYS it cannot
too strongly emphasize the importance or
the invest igation and the proposed legl5-
lation
The sdulterstion Of prepared or manu-
factured foods B." the report continues. "is
very extensively practiced. and in many
eases to the great discredit Of our manu-
facturers Il is only fair 10 say. however.
that a large proportion OF the American
manufacturers who are engaged in adul-
tersting food products do so in order 20
meet competition. and IL is the expression
OF those gentlemen 10 say We would BE-
glad 10 get out Of this business of adul-
terating. We would like 20 quit putting
this stun in coffee and would be willing TO
brand cur syrups for what they are. but
our competitors get a trade advantage
which We cannot surrender.
1t is the purpose Of this committee to
adopt this uniform rule: To prohibit the
sale Of deleterious and unhealthy food
products and as to those food products
which are simply cheapened by adulterants
20 compel the marking of those goods for
what they are. An examination Of the
resolution shows that these are the two
objects to be sought: To ascertain what
food products are dangerous TO public
health. and second. what products are sold
In fraud 20 the consumer. The committee
has adopted the rule above stated. for the
reason that Il feels that deleterious food
products should be prohibited and the rest
thoroughly regulated.
There have been two general ways
suggested as to the matter OF regulation.
First to put The important food products
under the internal revenue law. as we have
in the case of butter. filled cheese, and. at
the last Congress. flour. This committee
recommended to the Congress in its last
session the passage Of the Pure Flour bill
which was adopted. II was made ostensi-
bly, a revenue bill. which brought it within
the decision Of the Supreme Court of the
United States, although as a revenue pro-
Queer il viii not be regarded as a great
success But il is a fact that it has alb
Eolutely prohibited the sale OF adulterated
-four, which was found 10 be in many
cases dangerous to public health. and a
further important fact that il increased the
sale Of American -four probably IS per
cent in other countries. and for proof OF
this We most earnestly beg attention 10
the letters pages 5 70 II, printed in the
evidence of the first Witness from the
leading cities OF the world which show the
increased demand for American -four as
soon as Congress compelled that it should
be sold for what il was. So it win be
observed that Il the rule established by this
committee can be carried out as 10 our
food products we will not only protect the
consumer aHd the honest manufacturer
who is willing to sell his goods for what
they are but we viii also establish a repu-
tati0n for our food products which viii
assist US to find a ready market for them
In other countries.
THE other plan to regulate the food
products does not put it at all in the In
ternal Revenue Department but is con-
tanned in Senate bill 2426. which establishes
. department under the Secretary Of Agri-
culture and provides for the establishment
Of a board which shall carry ont the part
Of the rule established by this committee
and fix the standards for foods. drinks. and
for drugs based on the American Pharma-
cOpeia. The strong argument in favor OF
this plan is the sact that ii would be cum
bersome to take all the small articles OF
food products that are now adulterated and
allow their sophisticati0n or adulteration
Tor the purposes OF cheapening. and require
y stamp upon each Of the small packages
offered for sale"
The subcommittee gives an extensive re-
view Of the Investigations into the adul-
iteration Of various food and drink pro-
ducts In regard 10 condensed milk it was
found that the great manufacturers pro-
duced a pure and wholesome article, but
are obliged 20 devote much time and money
In competition with INSCRIPTIONS pro-
aucers who pat forth sdulterated goods.
The subcommittee analysed many sam
pies Of sugar. with the result that the
sugar produced in this country Is remark
ably free from adulterants. Safeguards in
the way Of legislation are. however rec
commended Honey and syrups were
found TO be highly adulterated with giu-
cose in many cases. The use Of alum in
the manufacture Of baking powder was
found 10 be very prevalent, and radical
legislation is recommended. 4 good deal
Of attention was given TO the examination
Of beer. and the conclusion is that the |
standard of American manufacturers is !
very high.
The subcommittee finds that the prod
uct commercially known as oieomargariue
is healthful and nutritious. and no further !
legislation is necessary The use Of dele
terious substances in the manufacture OF
candy is deprecated, and the practice
shoald, the committee believes. be pro-
hihited.
It was found that American wines are
generally Of gOoa quality and unaduller-
ated.
Nearly every sample Of cream Of tartar
purchased in drug stores was found TO
be a fraud. the subcommittee asserts.
A general statement is made in the re
port that many articles OF food imported
from foreign countries were found 20 be
adulterated, and strict inspection is rec
commended.