The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-21
Hcusc Strongly in Favor of Repeal
of Law in Interest of Baking
Powder Trust.
AMENDMENT WAS VOTED DOWN.
Republican Member Proposed to
Require That the Ingredients
Be Plainly Printed on
Each Can of Powder.


REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
jefferson City. Mo. Jan. 20-The alum
baking-powder bill was ordered to engross-
nent in the House this evening after a
lengthy and exceedingly warm debate. 1t is
the Duncan House bill No. l. and strikes
the word alum out of the law of 1896 pre-
scribinS ingredients that shall not be used
in the manufacture of foods.
In moving that the bill be sent TO en-
grossment. Mr. Duncan said it was meas
ure against the Baking-Powder Trust.
Mr.. Dawson of Butler, a Republican Of
fered AN amendment that ignted the fire.
works. II provided that on each can of
baking powder should be printed in plain
letters the ingredients and the proportion
thereof used in the manufacture.
Mr.. ConklinS OF Carroll said the amend
ment was move 10 defeat the bill and
similar to one offered two years ago. He
said the people desired the change pro-
posed in the Duncan bill, and that mem
Der of the Senate. who two years ago had
held up in his committee duplicate OF
the Duncan bill. was defeated last Novem-
her by Republican in district where
the Democrats have $50 ma aio-ity.
Mr.. Dawson denied most vehemently that
his amendment was in the interest of any
trust. He said it was well known that
alum was injurious to health. and he could
see nothing wrong in law requiring the
various companies TO print the ingredients
they use in baking powder.
DISGRACE TO THE STATE"
Mr.. Duncan declared that the amendment
propose d by MIR. Dawson was identical with
one offered in the House two years ago for
the purpose of defeating a bill similar to
was in the interests of the Baking Powder
Trust. While eXOnorating Mr. Dawson
from being an agent of the trust, he said
that if he were as particular to have every
thing that goes into his stomach labeled as
he IS baking powder. he would have an end
less task on his hands.
Law he ,larn
stigma and disgrace to the State of Mis-
souri,. He said that the Baking Powder
trust had tried TO get that law enacted in
twenty-one States. but only succeeded In
getting IT on the statutes of Missouri. 1T
la an Infamous measure he said. ..and
souri, as quickly as possible
Mr. Wallace of Rails concurred in all that
Mr.. Duncan said, and added some very un-
complimentary remarks about trusts in
general and the Baking Powder Trust in
particular.
Mr. Bothwen asked Mr.. Wallace if he
thought he tBothwelD would be safe in
voting against the amendment in view of a
pamphlet fayoring the present law which
emanated from the law office of William ].
Stone.
MIsLED AS TO PRESENT LAW.
Mr. Wallace said he hoped the member
amendment and in favor Of the bill no
matter who defended the old law. The
Werd We alum l.5r., in the present law" he said,
Where did the pamphlet defending the
present law come from if the word alum
came from h-l?' queTied Mr. Murphy of
ST. Louis.
Mr.. Wallace said he did not know.
Mr.. Dawson denied at some length that
he was an emissary of the baking powder
fense OF his amendment
Mir; OFallon of Holt said that. as a
member of the 1899 Legislature. he had
voted for the present baking powder law
under a misrepresentation. He had been led
10 believe that it was measure in the
interests of public health, but he had since
discovered that ii was solely in the inter-
ests of trust He said the main reason
that he sought n seat in the present House
was to correct that vote. He was ooposed
TO the amendment and in favor of the bill
vote was then taken and the amend
m, nj WAS Overwhelmingly lost following
which the bill was sent to engrossment by
Il, vote which indicates that 1t will pass the
House.