The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-10
That Farnsworth APP
proved Use of Preservatiyes.
VIII Introduce Two Dairymen
as Witnesses.
MR.HOWARD SATISFIED
Thinks That He Has Made 8
Good Case.
Talk of Employing a City
BacteriOlOgist.

Something sensational in the way of
evidence is said to be held in reserve
by the opponents of Food Inspector
Farnsworth. to be Sprung at the
meeting of the health committee to be
held the latter part of this week.
An effort will be made, it is said, to
prove that Farnsworth not only knew
that fornaldehyde was used as pre-
servative by Topeka milkmen, but that
he encouraged its use and practically
gave two dairymen permission to use
it, These two dairymen may be pro-
-duced as witnesses. 1t may be shown
by several witnesses that Farnsworth
has contended that preservatives in
proper quantities are not Injurious 1t
will also be proven. SO it is said, that
Farnsworth frequently inspected
diaries and milk deoots. saw the
empty and partially filled bottles of
"preservative. and made no objection
to its use.
The people who are fighting Farms
worth believe that this evidence will
convince the committee that the food
inspector had full knowledge of what
was going on, and that he was prac-
tlcaIly IN an alliance with the milkmen
to encourage the criminal practice
When the health and sanitation COM
mlttee meets, probably on Friday
night to take up the FarnsWorth in
Vestlgat1on, it is likely that the men,
bers of the board of health will be
present to add dignity and austerity
to the occasion. 1t is thought by some
Oh the councilmen that the board of
health may really be to blame for the
oftenses charged against Food Inspec-
tor FarnSWorth, SO it seems lust a lit
Tie queer that they should take part in
what may be an investigation of their
own conduct.
II. B. Howard, who started the fight
on F'arnsworth, has no intention of
I u a1ar1 ies
10 blame, and that if Farnsworth can
prove that he did all he could, the next
thing will be to point the guns
nlgnsr- This probably means a fight
on the board of health. the city phYsi-
can, or the mayor himself.
MI. Howard said today: AN official
coat OF whitewash may save Farms
worth his scalp just now, but it can't
cover up the facts we have brought to
light. We have proved the common and
criminal use of preservatives in milk
and other foods. We have proved that
these personalities are manufactured
here in Topeka for this specific purpose.
We have proved that this stuff is ped
died out promiscuously for anyone to
use, without the poison label thereon as
required by law. We have proved toll
Grafton of the use of preservatfves by
the food inspector, and can prove his
recommendation of the same. We have
proved that formaldehyde and other
preservatives are poisons, not only in
furious TO health but dangerous to life.
We believe that inasmuch as the food
inspector is appointed for the purpose of
! preventing the above named abuse, our
present inspector has failed in his duty,
and should be removed.
when I began this investigation it
was to discover the cause of the typhoid
epidemic, not as fight on Farnsworth,'
or any other person. He intended to
shield himself by the alleged harmless
ness of these preservatives, and even
presented letters of recommendation of
their use from different sources. Seeing
/ that this would not do with the commit
tee on health and sanitation, he utterly
| denied all knowledge of the use of pre-
! serVatives. He also tried to implicate
| the committee and the council by
claiming that he applied for apparatus
| for testing and it was refused
IF he can prove that, we will simply
point our guns higher We are after the
source of this carelessness, ignorance or
lawlessness and we don't care where it
is"
1t seems to be the prevailing opinion
among the members of the council that
probably Mr.. Farnsworth has done as
we'll as could be expected of an official
who has no technical knowledge re-
quired in making scientific tests of food
and milk. Here the question seems to
hinge If Farnsworth has neglected
to do with the facilities at his command,
he is likely to be dismissed from his
position.
One member of the council said to-
day: MY idea is that this town is big
enough to hire an expert chemist and
| bacteriologist to take charge of the food