The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-17
FROM THE PEOPLE.



To the Editor. Not being engaged in
the manufacture or sale of any food
product l can only allege as an excuse for
offering my views on certain sections of
the so-called pure food law" the inter-
est that any one naturally has in being
sure that the food offered for sale in
the markets is wholesome and sound and
in having fair play accorded to all par
ties. So far as the law in question-chap-
ter CXIII. of the Session Laws OF Wash
ington-relates TO the articles OF which
1t treats / have not the technical train
ing necessary to make me a competent
critic. Besides these there are certai
classes of people affected.
Section l provides that no person shall,
within this state, manufacture for sale.
offer for sale. or sell any article OF food
which is adulterated within the meaning
of this act
Section provides. among other things,
whoever violates any of the provisions
of this act shall be guilty of a INSIDE
meanor, and upon conviction shall be
fined not exceeding Sl00 nor less than $50,
or imprisoned not exceeding ninety or
less than thirty days. or both; any per-
son found guilty of manufacturing. offer
ing for sale or selling any adulterated
articles of food under the provisions OF
this act shall be adjudged to pay" GER
tain expenses incurred.
The persons designed to be reached by
the act fall into three classes: First,
those who within the state manufacture
for sale; second, those who offer for sale
within the state: third. those who sell
within the state any of the prescribed ar.
ticles. As the manufacturer of a product
necessarily has TO equip himself with
plant and stock OF materials for the con
duct of his business, his location within
the state is sufficiently permanent I,
make II easy matter TO reach and
IA
on his part. Tho same is true OF the
wholesaler and the retailer located within
the state. They also have little chance OF
escape from officials diligent in the dis
charge of their duty.
There Is large class and one that
probably reaps great share Of pc
cuniary benefit from the trade in food
above who are practically exempt from
the operation of this law, | refer 10 those
from other countries or states who sell
or ofrer for sale within this state any OF
the forbidden products. Without pos
sessing exact Information on this point 1
venture TO say that OF the various arti-
Giles of food sold within this state, wheth-
er packing house products, cofrees. teas.
spices. syTups, dairy products, 1ellies or
preserved foods Of various kinds. the
major part 10 manufactured without IN.
state and offered for sale primarily by
wrong In any particular l am glad OF II.
The penalties provided for violation OF
the Law are FIRST, fine. second impris0n-
ment. third. both. These are certainly
mildcr than the oid-time punishments for
tampering with the food supply and are
probably none too harsh. The injustice
OF the present law rests in the fact that
Il Is not framed as TO operate against all
offenders and allows those who are prob
ably the principal ones practical immun-
IT'S from the legal consequences OF their
wrong doing. II does not place the most
well-mezning and efficient ofioer in posi-
ton 20 discharge his duty In more than
limited extent No guarantee. however
good. that the article Ia question complies
with the provisions OF the law OF any
other country or state. IL OF any value
within the limits OF this state. az the pro-
visions OF the Law may and probably do
differ from these Of our own state. Fur
thermore, " tae law should By chance
be the same. word for word. the construc-
ton placed upon II and the analyses made
and certificates granted would amanats
from other sources than the authorities
OF this Jurisdiction and would be entitled
90 no right whatever. We have exactly
the same tight 20 construe our Laws aud
20 determine what constitutes complt-
ance Nith them that we have 90 make
them
No one who Is acquainted with the or
binary methods OF carrying on trade caa
deny that the manufacturer or merchant
from beyond our borders is practically
exempt under the provisions % our Law
Possibly some overwotksd missionary q
commerce engaged So Tia sale % food
products made elsewhere than "a this
state may f2H a victira. but the orcnAer
who practically forces him 20 commit the
csi escspcs- Imprisonment can rot De
enforced against any except those located
here and therefore should net De against
any. Neither can hny others be at prea-
eut punished BY the imposition 90 a dne
The law as Il stands 81 present works an
injustice and should be 80 modified as 20
place al offenders as nearly aA possible
on tho same footing b. requiring either
a casa deposit or bond Eith the proper
Official as security against any lapses
Our legislature as the matter nox
stands can aay.
Il have shot an arrow over the house
and hit my brother"
DAVID b. PORTER.
President Loyhed Ttnware Manufacturing
Company
FACTS or MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.
Seattle March is f.0a