New-York tribune., 1900-05-10
FOR HONEST FOOD.


There is ground for hearty satisfaction in the
adoption by the House of Representatives by a
substantial Republican majority, and despite an
adverse committee report of the resolution call
ing for information concerning the methods and
material employed in the manufacture of oleo-
margarine. The chief opposition to it came,
of course, from the bogus butter interests,
though it was ostensibly based upon the techni-
cal ground that the resolution would-so it was
alleged-reQuire officers of the Government to
violate an existing law and thus incur heavy
penalties. Upon the validity of that objection
are not now called to pass. If it be valid
some additional legislation Will be called for to
remove the objection by SO modifying the old
law that the new one viii not infringe upon il.
The point of present emphasis is that the reso-
luton just adopted is sound and beneficent in
principle. 1t is Il decided and, we believe, a
highly desirable step toward restoring important
food supplies TO something like normal purity
and wholesomeness.
One of the conspicuous and vital clauses of
the IIippocratic oath which is taken by candi-
dates for the medical profession before they
receive their diplomas is that in their practice
they will Use no secret medicines. We are not
aware that the proprety of that pledge has
been challenged. unless by quacks. 1t is justi-
fed partly by the humane consideration that
every new discovery of q healing drug should
he made the common property of the profession
for the good of mankind. and partly by the
demands Of frankness and honest dealing with
the patient. The former of these considerations
may not apply to the food producing trade
which is Oh far more mercenaIy basis than
the medical profession. But the second one
certainly does thus apply with at least equal
directness and force, and there seems to be
ample ground for compelling by law a general
compliance with IL.
In this the reference is not by any means to
oleomargarne alone. The makers of that prod
uct are conspicuous sinners against the prin-
ciple of open dealing in the preparation of food
supplies, and they have brought upon them
selves vast amount of suspicion and discredit
by their persistent efforts to palm off their
product under false guise as real butter But
they are not the only sinners There are others,
who preserve hams and other meats with
various deleterous drugs, the identity of which
they carefully withhold from their patrons, or
who do the same with canned vegetables and
fruit; and there are even farmers and dairymen
including some who are most bitter against the
oleomargarine deception, who use drugs for
coloring their butter, but scrupuously refrain
from letting the fact be known to their patrons
1t is all wrong, or al least the secrecy of the
thing is wrong. In many cases the drugs used
as preservatives are seriously injurious to the
health of those who consume them. The use OF
such should be wholly prohibited. In some
cases the drugs are entirely harmless. Then the
knowledge that they are used would not be
prejudical to the sale of the articles in question
IT is the fact that the drugs are deleterious and
that therefore people would not buy the food
products if they knew what drugs were used in
them. that in the majority of cases constrains
the manufacturers to secrecy. And that is the
very reason why the veil of secrecy should be
removed by the hand of the law. Let it be made
known Of what oleomargarine is made and with
what drugs fruits and vegetables and milk and
cream are preserved" If nothing mischievous
is revealed public confidence will be increased
and no harm, but actual benefit, will come to the
manufacturers and tradesmen If something
deleterfous does come to light a monstrous
wrong will be undone and the public will be
saved from wholesale poisoning. 1t is as proper
and as desirable for the State or National Gov
ernment to do this il is for the municipal
government to destroy stale fish and rotten fruit