The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-25
INSPECTION
OF FOOD
DEBATE.

Washington, Feb 25.-The senate spent
the greater part OF yesterday discussing
the amendment 10 the agricultural ap-
preparation bill, striking out the house
provision giving authority 20 the secre-
tary Of agriculture TO inspect imported
food products when misbranded or sus-
pected of impurity.
The amendment was suggested by Mr..
Aldrich, who said the provision opened
the way for an encroachment by the
secretary OF agriculture on the duties
OF the secretary OF the treasury and was
calculated TO cause a duplication in the
service OF the two officials. Messrs
Lodge, Beveridge, Patterson and others
supported Mr. Aldrich.
Mr.. Aldrich moved 10 strike out the
house provision authorizing the secretary
OF agriculture to make investigation OF
imported food products believed TO be
impure and injurious 10 health The
amendment caused considerable debate,
Mr.. Aldrich said that under this pro-
vision the secretary OF the treasury is
placed under the control oil the secretary
OF agriculture, and that the secretary OF
the treasury has ample authority M
self TO make investigation as TO the char
acter OF imported articles.
COST LESS LIAM ONE SHIP.
Mr. Proctor opposed the amendment,
saying that the provision is practically
the same as that contained in last years
act.
lie read a letter from the secretary OF
the treasury saying that the effect of the
present law had been very beneficial and
ad ha M
to supervision by the department OF
agriculture II do not" he said. Share in
the apprehension regarding the growth
OF power and influence OF the secretary OF
agriculture. The total amount required
for the support OF all the bureaus OF the
agricultural department does not" he
said equal the cost of n single battle
ship
Mr.. Bacon said that the house pro-
vision extends the supervision OF the sec
retary OF agriculture 10 goods found by
analysis 20 be Injurious 30 health
Mr.. Quarles suggested that the au-
thority 20 conhscate goods when ''in-
completely labelled" was entirely too
broad. and MIR. Proctor consented to the
elimination OF that provision.
Mr.. Aldrich indicated Willingness to
permit the provision 10 stand II II could
be so amended as to have the determine
10 the secretary OF the treasury.
AssENTED TO AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Allison indicated willingness 10
have the provision amended in minor
particulars. but said that the determine
tion or the degree OF purity had been
left TO tho secretary OF agriculture rather
than the secretary OF the treasury he
cause the former had the machinery for
carrying ~ into effect
The debate also was participated I'm
by Messrs Beveridge. McComas. TIL
man. Hoar. Patterson. Platt. Conn.
stewart. Perkins, Money and Lodge. all
suggesting more or less radical modin.
cations OF the provision.
Mr Lodge protested against the dupli-
cation OF the two departments
Several OF the advocates OF Mr.
Aldrich's amendment having indicated
that the provision OF the act OF 1900 bear
ing on the question OF issue wou.- be ac-
ceptable 90 them. Mr.. Proctor withdrew
the house provision and substituted that
" p00
Further consideration of the bill was
postponed until today. and after several
bills were passed the senate NJ $40 p. m.
adjourned.