The evening times., 1900-03-09
BROSIUS BILL FAVORED
Pure Food Delegates Appear Be-
fore House Committee.
arguments Made by Representatives
of Many Industries in Favor of the
Proposed Law-Chairmnn Hepburn
Asks Numerous Quesfions-Mr. Adj
ans, of Wisconsin, in Opposition.

.
. State and Foreign Commerce at the Capt.
. tol was taken possession Of this morning
by delegation of 150 members OF the
National Pure Food and Drug Congress,
which has been in session in this city dur
ing the last three days.
The members of the pure food move
ment had received an invitation from VIII
liam p. Hepburn, Chairman of the Com
mittee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce, TO appear before that body this
forenoon and submit their views and ar
guments on. the Brosius bill as amended
and advocated for adoption by them.
Mr. Blackburn, President of the asso-
citation, explained the all-important ques-
tion of pure food and drugs TO the mem
bers of the committee.
Chairman Hepburn, of the House Com
mitee, called the meeting to order and
stated that he had been informed that
there were different views entertained by
/ some OF the members of the Pure Food
Congress as regards the Brosius bill as
/ submitted. Mr.. Hepburn stated that ne
would like to hear the matter fully before
going further into it.
President Blackburn exp aimed briefly
| rived from its adoption Mr.. jones, tie
/ President of the National Grange, was
called upon by Mr.. Blackburn to give tie
views OF the farmer on the pure rood move
ment. The time for this vas limited to
/ five minutes Mr.. Jones said that what is
put upon market should be true to its
mark. Legislation is needed compelling
the manufacturer who adulterate5 food to
so brand his merchandise. Aduiterated
foods under Government tolerance is tie
ruin OF the farmer. The American pee
pie, the mass of honest people, the honest
farmer the honest business man, want 10
he protected just as much against adulter-
ations as against swindlers, forgers, cum
JeTfeiters, and robbers
/ Franklin Dye said that il is the special
desire and wish of the association 10 again
establish the good name and repuiati7- cf
American goods abrOSs.
Mr.. Scherer, OF the National Retail Gro
GERS Association. advanced strong aTEu-
meut in favor Of pure food laws. He said
that the bill should be passed, as il would
also protect the retail grocer who does
rot know and has not the means TO na-
I'VE the goods which were supplied 10 him
by the wholesale dealer or manufacturer.
Major Levi Wells Of Pennsylvania, also
made an argument in favor Of the passage
OF the Brcsius bill. lie said the broad
principle underlying the movement is that
every article OF food, which is deleterOus
to health should be SO branded. He said
that 90 per cent of the food consumed in
the state of Pennsylvania was proved 10
be adulterated.
Mr. Abbott Of Missouri. the Chairman of
the National Beekeepers' Association. ar
gued that the glucose industry OF the /
country was more antagonistiG to the !
honey industry than any other adulterat /
ing manufacture. As the representative OF /
The Beekeepers' ASSOCIATE ton. he would ask !
that every merchant who sells foodstuffs /
should be compelled to label them truth |
fully.
J. Z. Flanders. OF the Agricultural De- /
partment of the State of New York claim I
ed that yiolatoTs OF the food law should :
he dealt with severely for they jeOpard!se (,
he health OF the community.
Chairman Hepburn asked whether the (
food laws of New York State practically |
prevented the adulterating Of foods that .
come within the provision OF the Agricul- /
tuial Department, TO which Mr. Flanders |
replied that if foreign commerce and i'm |
portation OF foodstuffs were prohibited the /
respective laws of New York could pre- |
vent the adulteration Of articles of food
Mr. Thurber the President OF the Ma /
tional Export Association, spoke next, and /
he advocated in strong terms the adoption !
Of the Brosius bill as agreed upon by the !
Pure Food and Drug Congress, He said !
the proposed bill would be a benefit 10 the /
American people Chairman Hepburn qUes- /
toned Mr. Thurber regarding the adultera- |
tioH of flour and lard Mr. Thurber re- /
piled that the adulteration of -four now !
was practically very small. and that this /
also applied TO butter as well as lard, !
which fact is due to the food laws Of New |
York State.
". ). Thompson, of this city. represent |
ing the Pharmaceutical Association, spoke |
at length on the proposed measure. he /
said that the adulteration of drugs is not !
as prevalent as in the days of our fore /
fathers. The custom house regulations arc l,
better enforced regarding adulterated drugs /
which are imported from foreign countries. |
He said the most adulterated drugs are the |
more expensive drugs such as Peruvian |
bark.
DR.. Wyde of South Carolina, also made |
a strong argument in favor of the bill.
Dr. King. of Tennessee. said: IF we
wish to build up our American people |
strong and intelligent, they must be !
brought up and fed on pure food. This is |
of greater Importance than all other COM
mercal reasons which may be propounled !
in favor Of the bill
DR.. Schroeder, of the State Board of .
Health of Iowa, said You can destroy
this great nation in a shorter time and |
more effectively by adulterated food than
By war and pestilence." DR.. Schroeder |
said the reasons for the adoption of the
proposed bill were obvious.
MIR. Flachus, of West Virginia, repre-
scntiug the Preservers and Gamers in
terests. said they were in favor of the pas
sage of the proposed legislation.
Mr. MacMechlen, representing he Ma
tional Preservers Association, also spoke
in support of the movement.
Chairman Hepburn questioned the presi-
dent OF the Pure Fod Congress regarding
the movement, the number CT representa-
tives, by whom appointed and elected, and
the number of States and variety of in
dustries represented.
DR.. Frear. the Chairman of the EXecu-
tive Committee, presented TO the House
committee the Brosius bill, as amended and
agreed upon by the Pure Food Congress.
Mr.. Adams of Wisconsin, made the last
speech on the bill. Mr. Adams
during the sessions of the Congress ad-
vocated the adoption of the Babcock BILL |
and he made a plea for its consideration
and final adoption. The argument of Mr.
Adams had depressing effect on the dele
gates, and il was claimed that it weakened
the chances for the adoption OF any meas
ure.
I,s