New-York tribune., 1906-12-25
PURE FOOD LAW JAN. /
GOES INTO EFFECT THEN.
Bmt Some Delay E'M BE Caused
by Ipcom pIete Machinery.
IFron The Trbun. BuTssu.l

statute books last June
one hundred additional inspectors. chemists
and clerks were needed by the Agricultural De-
rartnlent 10 he the agents Tor the enforcement
~ the Law. bu, owing 10 the fact that Congress
has only Just appropriated money Tor the en-
rloyraent OF TINS force. which Is practically
new bureau OF the government. and the places
must be FLIED by civil service examination It
VIII te several weeks before the organization is
,errected ana the public may feel confidence in
what they are putting into their mouths.
As soon as Secretary Wilson obtained from
congress A few days ago the authorization 20
spend $4,000 for carrying out the provisions
u the Pure Food law. he asked the Civil Service
Commission 20 hold examinations ar the earliest
possible moment TO provide the force by which
the new statute is 10 be enforced. The commits
sloaers tn compliance with this request are az
ranging 10 hold the examinations. If possible,
~ January 20. Some time viii then elapse be-
fore the examination papers are looked over
end the certiications made.
The inspectors created by the law have duties
~ an entirely different character from any now
performed by employees OF the government
These men are to be kept constantly travelling
a5out from one STATE TO another 10 act as the
rarreseutartves OF the department in buying
FOOD products - the open market and keeping
. constant watch for suspicious foods and drugs
roid in violation Of the law. Men who have
travelled for firms buying and selling foods or
who have otherwise acquired knowledge Of the
,ood business viii probably have the best chance
=. being appointed TO these inspectorships Only
men Will be allowed take the examination for
inspectors. and an age limit not to exceed forty
Years S fixed The salary Is 10 be S2.VlO a
,ear with travelling expenses when on duty.
From thirty 10 fifty additional chemists are
- be employed by the Department OF Agrcult-
u-e 10 conduct the chemical examination Of food
products bought IL the market and offered Tor
toSt These men viii also be stationed outside
of Washington The plan is TO locate them in
different cities where laboratories are main
tained or are TO be established. Both men and
women MAY take the examination chemists.
The force Of chemists will be divided into two
grades The first 10 receive 5000 year and
those of Jess experience $1,000. the age limit OF
forty-fve and forty years being fixed for en-
trance 10 each grade respectively. In addition
- the chemistry force. number OF clerks viii
- required
Despite the fact that there viii be some de-
lay in the organization OF the force which the
food law creates. the officials OF the Department
cf Agriculture have been busily engaged Ia
making preparations for the new duties which
--jIl be imposed on them when the statute takes
eject on January l. There has been a trenen-
sous amount OF detail IN preparing the rules
snd regulations and law OF such sweeping
effect and which vitally affects so large an In
dusrry as the manufacturing o. foods ana
6-uEs necessarily meets obstruction in some
quarters. II has been almost q daily AFFAIR re-
emily for Secretary Wilson 10 receive delega-
lions Of food and drink manufacturers who have
come here 10 protest against some OF the regula-
sons IN the hope Of having them changed or
70 learn AZ first hand tust how the officials inter
-7re- particular features Of the law, as TO
evade them Il practicable. No accurate estimate
as 70 the value Of the business which the law
affects is possible. but perhaps no statute
comes closer home TO the people than this which
relates 20 government approval Of food, drinks
and medicines
Commenting the LAW which Is about 70 go
into effect, Or. WILEY. chief OF the bureau Of
chemistry. who had q great deal 70 do in the
agitation for the Pure Food law and in the
preparation Of the regulations. said to-day:
This law will undoubtedly have a great effect
n -ne puriicatiou of the food products of this
-ountry There is need of improvement in the
cral!ry and purity of many of the foods and
links sod in the market 70 public which UP
-ris time has had no means OF protection against
s-s,,Ss s1d i-77r7iI-e r1ro6ucts We hope eventu-
ally 20 make II absolutely safe for any one 10
purchase in the market any kind OF prepared
food or drug that goes into interstate commerce
The plan is 10 have our force OF inspectors ana
0nerrfsrs work In conjunction with the various
slate authorities. Nearly all Of the states nave
food laws and in more than half the SIateS LleSe
laws are vigorously enforced II VIII I-eIe
he convenient 10 cooperate with them and 10
assist IN every way IN insuring the strict IN
suectton OF foods sold 10 the public Altogether
-r7-ee 5eusrtmeuts OF the government have a
part IN ma king the Pure Food law enectlNe-
Tne legal part falls 70 the Department OF Jus
ice the United States district attorneys beng
required 10 conduct the prosecution or the
lases. the execution of the law. particularly as
- relates 10 imported products, fails upon the
Secretary OF the Treasury, while the Depart
r1ent Of Agriculture IS the administrator In
T-osecUting food or drug manufacturer IoI
-folarior Of the law the Department OF Agrcult-
-lrs cerrifes The case TO the District Attorney.
who ia turn prepares the Indictment II viii be
necessary 10 establish a number OF laboratories
n various cities where imported products are
hvought IN quantity. We already have these labo-
~ cries Al the principal ports. Ike New York
Boston San Francisco and New Orleans. But
here viii be additional laboratories, probably
a. s. Paul. Denver. Seattle. Bufalo, Charles
-rr : 2 Jacksonville and Galveston, particu-
tar1v for domestic products
The purpose Of the law IL best told n the title,
watch reads; < or prev ming tilt IatiuIaelure' %
s7'o or transportation OF adulterateo or mis-
handed or poisonous OF deleteriOus foods drugs,
red cines and liquors, and Tor regulating tTaf-
- +HAf-ir" n other words, impure foods and
I-f--s cannot hereafter he sold In tni eTstate
..rr4,1e-ra Regulations nave been issued pre-
S--a.~c fre conditions under which the sct IS
-. fe enforced. and under the provisions OF the
fzH Which prevents nlisbranding q person Is en-
-f,les 10 tell from the label whether there are
felete--ous ingredients IN prepared product
is not the purpose 10 shut down on any par
leular industry and. il fact, II IS probable that
30 regulations regarding TreserFatiNes WIN De
-uf,reCS orly- ia a general way until the law IS
cutie well understood, after which even the
s--a est quantity Of prese-vafives held n be
-'ete~tcus VII be prohibited.
OPPOSE SENATOR DOLLIvER.