New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-14
list BROUGHT TO LIGHT.
I'm portant Legislation Hidden IN the
Agricultural Appropriation Bill.


Agricultural Appropriation Bill.
Washington. MAY 13 (Spe.iaD.-Au foods
l3cyors and drugs imported into the United
states after next month are to be subject 70
sharp scrutiny under a statute enacted at the
lsst session OF Congress. which has altogether
escaped general attention, although it is Of the
highest Importance and Of the most drastic
character. New York importers especially. as
veil as numerous domestic producers through
ont the country will be amazed to learn that
-zdfcal legislation along the lines Of the federal
Pure Food bill. which itself failed OF approval,
v-as accomplished in the last hours Of Congress
This legislation not only provides for the pro-
rf,,-for Of all imports dangerous 10 health, but
gives 10 the Executive means Of prompt re-
+slis+ion on any country discriminating against
American products and Of preventing foreigners
4rorn dumping on American markets deleterious
--oducts which they cannot sell at home.
This disclosure was made yesterday in the
discussion of pure foods and pure drugs before
the American Therapeutic Society. now in ses-
sion in this city, by DR.. w. H Wiley. chief or
The bureau Of Chemistry Of the Department OF
Agriculture who further revealed that COM
prehensive plans had been matured Tor enIolc-
ing the new statute which goes into effect on
.Julv / and which gives the Secretary OF the
Treasury cooperating with the Secretary OF
Agriculture, absolute jurisdiction over imports
into the United States Of drugs. liquors and
foods.
Hereafter any Of these products from abroad
offered for consumption in this country which
are found to be adulterated. impure. falsely
labelled or which do not comply with the laws
az the country where they were manufactured
or from which they were imported, may be kept
out Of the United States. DR.. Wiley frankly de-
cls-ed that this had been Of the greatest VIC
tories ever gained by the pure food advocates
although the proposed national inspection and
control bill had failed Of passage. and he ad-
rnitted that the new law had been purposely
buried IN section Of an appropriation bin so IS
not TO attract the attention Of those VINO might
otherwise have compassed its defeat
THE TERMS OF THE LAW.
The provision, which IN its terms bears out
this admission, appears in the Agricultural Ap-
nr,r-tation bin. signed by the President on
March 3, and is follows;
To i,1,as+iea+e the adulteration Of foods drugs
and liquors when deemed by the secretary OF
Agriculture advisable; and the secretary OF
Agriculture, whenever he has reason 10 peAeNe
that articles are being imported from loIeis .
countries which by reason OF such aouileTaIl IlOH
are dangerous 10 the health Of the people OF 1ne @
United States, which are forbioden 10 pe soIa
or restricted in sale in the countries IN WnlcIi
they are made or from which they are exported,
or which shall be falsely Labelled IN any TespSCt
q, -apar6 10 The place Of manufacture or the
contents Of the package, shall make a requesl
upon the Secretary Of the Treasury foT samples
from original packages Of such articles for IN
spection and analysis; and the Secretary OF the
Treasury is hereby authorized to open such
original packages and deliver specimens 10 lhe
Secretary Of Agriculture for the purpose - nIeh-
toned giving notice 10 the owner or conslgnee
of such articles, who may be present ana cr naee
.ba -4r-h+ 10 introduce testimony and the Secre-
ta-v of the Treasury shall refuse delivery 10 the
consignee Of any such goods Whlch the oecIe-
-a-v OF Agriculture reports TO him nave Deen IN
s-ecte6 and snalyzed and found TO be dangerous
- health or which forbidden 10 be soid or
tO1-5.s' ~ ssIe IN the countries IN which they
80 r1a5e or from which they are exported, or
which shall be falsely labelled in any respect N
regard TO the place Of manufacture OF the 0oH-
tents Of the package
GIVES MEANS OF RETALIATION
After July L. Dr.. Wiley declared. you VIII
hardly be able TO buy in this country any frank
fu-ters imported from Germany. Germany oO-
tets n the borax in our meats. and we will
object 20 the borax a her sausages, for we nave
found that they all contain borax- Then too.
rhe French wines that come into the United
States will receive their dues. There is prooaoIy
nor = wine sold in this country under the label
Of pure French wine that is not mixture OF
blend Of French and Italian and other hght
wines We intend TO make these people ten Oh
the label the truth about what is in the DoIIie-
Dr Wiley said further that the Bureau o.
Chemistry Of the Department OF Agrlcu-IoI
had already obtained Tie odld OA "I4A~-@ ~ -
ceed when the new law becomes operative ana
that no time would be lost in putting II into
force 4 chemist and several assistants were
added 20 his bureau by Congress last year anu
these new officials are already aLaly Z1Is
SAMPLES Of imported drugs and other prooucts
which have been obtained from the customs oL-
ncials. -
While the new provision viii erectuaIIy pre-
vent what Dr.. Wiley indicated was the preseIit
practice OF foreign manufacturers OF puttHns OiL
on The United States food alld drink Wfilch tIie
laws of their own countries would not pern!l
50 he sold therein he also indicated Incidental
IL that II might be used effectually as weapon
az retsliation against the products Of any coun-
try making hair splitting determinations agalls'
American goods. -.
The imports OF drugs, foods and drinks i Il'p
the United States amount 20 sIovoOooV
month In round numbers A little over nan
OF this amount is represented by drugs, the re-
rnafnder being divided among wines, beers, pro-
comes generally known II VIII doubtless cause
CONSERVATION abroad and among importers N
rhe United States. Dr. Wiley called attention
tc the fact that IL would cost the government
little 70 put the law into operation. as theIe
were few ports Of entry for the Foreign LIoII-
ucts affected. the principal one being New On % .
AS q further preparation 10 enforcing tne ~ ~
law DR. Wiley said. the Department OF AZ !
culture already hal its special agents satneIii.s
data as 10 the methods Of manufacturers in
Fctlror,e and they had acquired coTnpreheilsiNe
evidence on which 10 proceed
DR.. scHIkMP FOUND GUILTY
win