The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-23
BRIEF SQUALLATST.PA
PROCEEDINGS OF THE DAIRY AND
FOOD CONVENTION RUFFLED.
Authorities Alleged by Manufacturers
to Be Taking Too Much Interest
in Legislation.

ST. PAUL, July 22.-Toward the latter
part of the afternoon session of the National
Dairy and Food convention squall ruff
fled the hitherto smooth surface of things
In the convention. During the discussion of
the food question from the manufacturers
standpoint M. F. Frailey, of Camden N. j.,
intimated that dairy and food authorities
should not take so active part in legisla-
tive matters as they have taken. He even
intimated that they should have less to say
than any other interest. 1t was enough if
they enforced the laws, without going out
of their way to form laws on their own re-
sponsibility.
There was at first no indication that the
remarks were construed as Objectionable
until, suddenly, toward the latter part of
the session Prof. w. A. Scovill, of Ken
lucky, called attention to this part of Mr.
Fraileys statement and took emphatic ex-
ception to it. He thought Mr.. Frailey could
not have meant just what he said, and
thought an explanation was due. B. H.
Warren, commissioner of Pennsylvania, also
took the floor and said that the remarks
were unwarranted and should be Withdraw n
But Mr.. Frailey refused to take note of the
request to withdraw or to explain.
DIR. Wiley tried to pour oil on the troubled
waters. but before he could smooth things
r. j. Muck. of Columbus, arose and held
aloft a circular, which he shook for some
minutes, and declared that IL was an out
rage-a cowardly attack on the dairy COM
missioner of every State. 1T is a base in
sinuation," sad he, against Dairy Com
missioner Mcconnell and every honest off,
ciai."
The circular was a letter addressed to
dealers and signed by Mr.. Frailey i'm which
the dealers were told not TO fear the dairy
and food officials, who pretended to know a
great deal about law. as they were generally
overstepping their authority, and half the
time had no law for their action. 1t urged
in an insinuating manner defiance by deal
ers of the food commissioners regulations.
The manufacturers present did not deem
IL an opportune time 10 oner suggestions,
and the commissioners seemed to realize
that an unseemly scramble might be pre-
cipitated. so the question was dropped.
L. Nj. Frailey. representing twenty-eight
manufacturing concerns, responded to Mr..
Aliens address, speaking from the manu-
facturers' standpoint. on the subject. 1.-The
Food Profession He said that rs per cent.
of the Eastern States depended for their
food sustenance on manufactured food He
declared the manufacturers to be honest
men, eager to do an honest business and
willing TO cooperate with the food officials
in protecting public health. As TO preserva-
tives in food, he declared that il was i'm
possible to put up jams and preserves with
tried to get the least objectionab le and
were willing TO accept any less objection
able than they were now using Inasmuch
there was uncertainty as to the harm OF
preservatives, let us wait for the results of
Dr. Wileys experiments. If il should be
proved that personalities are harmful, then
We could submit and try TO find a substi-
tute. IL no substitute could be found then
we must stop the manufacturing OF such
foods as we now put up with the aid of
preservatves. He said that cooring mat
ter was not used to deceive. but to make
pleasing TO the eye what otherwise would
not be pleasing. He declared that manu-
facturers were willing to meet any reason
able demand in the way of labelling goods
but did not intend TO state on their labels
the quantities of different elements used. as
that would be giving away business secrets
to competitors.