The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-23
FOR PURE FOOD.

FOR PURE FOOD.
There is no cause that touches SO vitality sogreat a.
number of people that in whose name and whose inter
est the National Association of State and Food Depart
has been gathered in this city Other issues relae
to the interests of portion of the community and they
are usually of Importance only particular relations OF
business or of life The question of pure food supply
comes home to every man, woman and child IN the
United States.
Improper and unwhoesome preparation of food
products or their aduteraton by mixture with other
substances is at once fraud and crime 1t is the OBJ
tanning of money under false pretenses because OFFERS
to the purchaser commodities that not what they are
declared be- 1t injury to the honest producer or
vendor because the aduerated product always be
sold cheapy than the genuine; and the customer
is seldom able detect the difference the good article
is finally driven from the market. And in the great
majority of is crime against the public health
as well, because the substances used to cheaper and
the product very generally injurious to
the consumer. st.,o .. =.
This evil, then, is the common enemy and curse OF
all Cupidy that does rest satisfied with illicit
gain, but is willing to sacrifice human life itself If need
be its greed responsible for the vast array OF spu
rous food products that flood the market The states
have taken such action as is within their power, and
great amounts of money being spent, and well spent
in the attempt guard the public against the common
enemy But general has the practice of throwing i'm
pure food products upon the market become that
the of the state does not reach far enough and
interest after another has been obliged to ask for
larger relief
1t is unfortunate perhaps that the veliest part has
had be played thus far by those whose interest in the
question is also pecuniary; by the manufacturers of
traders in those articles that most freely coun-
forfeited aduerated Naturally and properly they
the of their field by the proprietor of
confidence products But after all it is the great mass
of the general public that should support the pure food
movement with enthusiasm and determination; for
it they who chief sufferers in pocket and in health
There is general demand for national egsla-
ton to assure the purity and wholesomenes of food
products. Believing do that the general govern
ment should interfere with nothing that properly be
done by the states Themselves regret this tendency
undemocrac Still we cannot be blind to the neces-
stiles that conditions have laid upon The
ton of great corporations that deal in and inre
quenty monopolize these products selling their wares
i'll part of the Union and sending carloads of them
daily lines, has enabled those that do not
scruple cheat defy successfully the powers of any
state The dairy interest of the country after long and
heroic fight with the cordial assistance of most state
legislatures, found itself obliged to appeal to congress
for full relief.
The success of national legislation in this field is not
unqualified fill anybody with confidence Still it
to be necessary that such general regulations
should be established for dealing food products that
made subjects of interstate commerce as to make
state laws effective The best regulation will always be
local The domestic that does not cross state
lines in its operations be subject to the local a
thor1ty and Tor this the local machinery of administer
ing pure food laws always remain in effect at least
until men are more honest than they now. But it
is that this restricted police power of the state
should be reinforced by harmonious adaptation to it of
such powers of the general government as it may be
proper to call into play to guard the interests and the
health of the people
The gentlemen who gathered here to discuss this
question OF national Importance experts. They are
sincerely devoted to the cause of pure food. Their
knowledge is scientific we'll severely practca and
their conclusions therefore entitled to the highest
respect. They are doing great service to the public
who should return 1t with their confidence and their
honor. 1t is not open to doubt that pure food leg
saton and the enforcement of laws already enacted will
receive powerful impetus from this meeting; and all
that the awabidng power of either the state or the
nation can properly do to further their noble work and
crown with complete should be granted freely
1t will be greater boon than the discovery of all the
anttoXins and the destruction of the germs of nes
ence when the food of the American people is freed
Rdulterants and when honest quality can be obtained in
any market for reasonable price without calling in the
services of analytical chemist -"