The Washington times., 1906-07-29
QUALITY Of FOOD
IS THE PROBLEM
Hearings to Be Held East
and West By the Highest
Experts.
WORK OF TRUTH SEEKERS
Wiley Commission to Begin With Food
Hearings Next Month and
Plan Action.

Public hearings by the commission APP
pointed by the Secretary Of the Treas
Ory. Secretary of Commerce and Labor,
and Secretary Of Agriculture 20 formu-
late rules and regulations for the en-
1orcement of the pure food law, which
goes into effect January 1. 1907. viii be
gin In New York city on the 18th Of
September. That the hearings will be
thorough. and that the rules when
adopted. will DE clear and TO the point
are evident from the personnel of the
commission Dr. II. W. Wiley Of the
Agricultural Department, who was elect
ed president OF the commission. is an
authority on pure foods. James L. Ger
" chief of the customs division of the
Treasury is an authority on the laws
Of the department as they now apply to
food products. which come under the
jurisdiction Of the customs division. and
S. d. y. North. Director of the Cen
sus. is an authority on the laws Of the
Department Of Commerce and Labor, as
they apply 10 interstate products.
Meet Early in August.
The commission will have a meeting
on August G. when plan OF action
Will be mapped out. Eaca member VIII
have prepared an epitOme Of the laws
Of his department. and these laws VIII
be considered in the light of their APP
plicatiOn TO the pure food law. NUM-
erous INQUIRIES from manufacturers viii
be taken up and an answer prepared
with the view OF setting forth the iufor-
r,ation desired bv the commission which
will enable it 10 frame rules and regu-
latio.s that shall have the hearty in
dorsement OF all honest manufactures
of food products who want the pure food
law enforced
One feature of the law that has al
ready brought many letters 10 the COM
mission is that which deals with the
subject of labels. DIR. Wiley. as presi-
dent of the commission, has received
many samples of labels with the re-
ouest from the manufacturer OF each 20
be informed if the label is acceptable.
DR. Wiley says he cannot answer sucn
INQUIRIES because the question submitted
must be passed upon by the commits
sion.
If They Tell Truth.
Concerning labels, DIT. Wiley says
there will be no difficulty about I'M
matter If the labels tell the truth. J.
the manufacturer states Nll la'9 49,
the contents Of the ingredient or tn
food product, or liquid, there need ID
no apprehension about the approval
his label. In fact If the label j
honest il is not necessary TO nave TN
commission pass upon H.
After all the manufacturers. hand
.lers. and dealers IN food products Wh'
have made application TO be heard II
New York have appeared before IN
commission. a visit VIII be made q
Chicago to accommodate the western
food product manufactures, who haV
written the commission for nearing
The data. thus obtained viii be tn
basis for a draft OF rules and regula
lions 10 cover the pure food law, ant
the rules and regulations, IL should b
understood. have the fun force Of law
However. before the regulations ar
promulgated. suggestions viii be re
ceived from the manufacturers for tn
|purpose of modifying or amending an,
particular rule that may be miscon
etrued in such a way as 70 intiict al
Injustice on a dealer in or manufactur
er Of any product.
Before the work of the commission
can take effect it must be signed b,
the three commissioners and be ap
proved By the three secretaries.