BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-11-25

version Of the matter, and was closely ques-
toned BY the Board as to the details Of the
inspection. On the conclusion Of his state
meut Ee presented several afiidavits from
spers0ns who were eye witnesses OF his in i
pection, and these persons included . physi
clan Of high scientific attainments, who
enjoys universal respect; an official Of the
Ay untamiento, and members OF the lnsular
Police. ALI of these agreed that the hams
were of offensive smell and were of q green.
ish black color the result of decomposition.
One OF these affidavits showed that four
hams which were ordered to be burned, but
which had not been carefully examined by
DIR. Saldafia, were cut up by the Police to
facilitate combustion, and were offensive
and decayed like all the others. One com.
plainant asserted that DIR. Saldsfis had
compelled him 10 furnish large quantity
of kerosine for use in destroying the goods,
but to this DR.. Saldaha gave the mosl
emphatic denial, stating that he gave ne
instructions except in general terms that The
hams should be destroyed by fire.
1t is only fair to state that in spite o.
sundTy wild and absolutely unsupported
assertions, that DIR. Saldafia was influenced
in his action by corrupt or unworthy mot
yives, counsel emphatcslly disclalmed any
Isuch insnuations against a man who's
moral standing Is above suspicion, demand
ug only that bis clients should be secures
! AgaInst any action on the part OF the Boar
which might uuduly prejudice their in
, terestS.
Il The Board carefully discussed the matte
! IN all its Hearings, and decided that as nj
j sufficient proof was offered that the condem
! ned hams were good, that as no protest soa
! entered at the time by the parties in;ereste
: even when opportunity to do this had bee
e given; and that no as attempt was made +
D impeach the veracity Of the witnesses VIII
9 swore positively as to the bad condition
tue hams destroyed, the action OF the Ins
J IpeCtor must be sustained. The Board doe
e not consider such action as in any wa
q rejecting on the reputation of a firm wh'c
is known and trusted in every part of th
world, and may say, in passing, that unit
T this protest was put forward, neither ID
Saldaiis nor any member of the Board wa
i aware OF the origin Of the hams which bor
any particular brand.
2 It is we'll to add that during this and 0the
' inspections, many articles OF brands Othe
o that concerned in the present complaint, an
t Iput on the market by other firms, have bee
!, condemned on similar grounds, and that i
p only one case has any contest been made a
!, to the action OF the Inspector. This cas-
0 was appealed 10 the Board, and an examiI
alton made by absolutely independer
persons, their decision being unanlmousl
In favor OF the Inspector (nOs DR.. Saldani
who condemned the goods. The Board
we'll aware Of the difficulty in keeping foo
in good condition in the tropics, and dot
not consider that the admitted excellence
Armour s. Co.'S products, cohen sold
them, has any material connection vii
: isolated cases in which from climatic (
other more urpreventable causes SUCK goot
are found in unsound condition.
1t has been the iDvaliable practice Of u
:, Bosrd to afford every safeguard to mel
= chants and others against arbitrary actlc
!. !, lot its employees, and in view of the difficu
ty aChich has arisen in this case from
:, trf ng error OF judgment in details on Il
y y part OF the Inspector, it has made Arrange
y ments which lG is believed tcIll efectual
8 avoid future complications.
Ol VIM FAwCETT SMITH.
t.. Secretary,
Superior Board OF Health P.