The semi-weekly messenger., 1906-06-19


washington, June lf-President
Roosevelt today expressed entire disap-
provai OF the new meat inspection bill
as completed BY the house committee
on agriculture. He expressed this view
today 10 Chairman Wadsworth Of the
house committee when Mr. Wadsworth
called on him and submitted a draft of
/ the new measure and asked the presi-
dents opinion. The president declared
that the bill was not at all adequate tol
meet the conditions.
After careful reflection Chairman
Wadsworth, of the house committee on
agriculture has decided that he will
not discuss in any manner the objec-
. tlons OF President 10 the meat inspeC-
uon amendment az reported TO the
| house today. He viii however, refer
the matter TO his committee at a meet
1rS TO be called without delay, when
/ the details of the objections which the
! president IS understood TO have point |
ed out, viii be considered.
In the majority report on the mea-
sure which Chairman Wadsworth |
filed in the house just before adjourn
ment TODAY, the statement is made that
the public interest in the matter isl
fully appreciated; also its great i'm
portance TO the business interests OIL
the country as we'll as TO the health of
the people. These are also stated to-
be the reasons why the committee has
given the subject most painstakingI
and thoughtful consideration"
Amy seeming delay" the report con-
tinues, has been due solely TO the de-
sire of the committee to give this i'm
portant subject full consideration, so
that the measure which they may pre-
sent would merit the approval Of the
house and meet the expectations of the
country
The committee find themselves in en-
| tire accord with the general purpose
of the Beveridge amendment, there be-
ing no disagreement whatever. either
among members of the committee or
among the different interests affected,
upon the proposition that the most
rigid inspection OF the meat and meat
| food products which constitute SO large
part of the food Of the country must
| be insured
| But while cOncrring heartily in the
general purpose of the amendment,
! your committee found themselves dis
| agreeing to such an extent with its re-
: quirements and phraseology that a.
/ substitute seemed TO be the simplest
way in which to present their views"
! The report details the substance OF
every paragraph Of the substitute, the
provisions Of which were made public
| last night.
! Commenting on The wisdom of plac-
/ ing the cost Of inspection on the gov
ernment the report says:
In recommending that the cost of
/ the inspection provided for In this
measure be met by an appropriation
from the public treasury, your commit
/ tee have followed what they believe 10
/ be sound government policy and wise
/ legislative practice.
In his recent message to congress
transacting the Reynolds report
/ the president Of the United States re-
commended that the cost Of the 's-o-
posed inspection be borne by the pack.
er,. but stated plainly that he would
favor the government paving l. were
! II not for the danger of an insufficient
appropriation. Your committee be-
lieves they have met this objection By
I the provision incorporated in the sub
stitute. This provision follows the
/ language Of a provision for a similar
4. purpose. which has been satisfactory
for many years in supplying the re-
! auirements of the customs service"
! L minority report is in course Of pre-
paration b. Representative Lamb Of
Virginia and Bowie. Of Alabama, and
! viii be filed with Ne house tonorroz.
/ Representative Wads~orth. chair
man Of the house committee on agrt-
culture had a conference late this af-
ternoon with President Roosevelt re
garding the action Of the house COM
F, mittee on the meat inspection bill.
! He submitted 10 the president the
substitute for the Beveridge amend
uent agreed upon by the committee
and sought his opinion of IL The pres
ident told him frankly that he could
not approve Of IL IN fact, after read
Ing the substitute carefully. the presi-
dent told Mr.. Wadsvorth that be dis
approved Of IL absolutely.
The president discussed the subject
with Chairman Wadsworth for time,
indicating 10 him the specific points
On which be disagreed with the ma
jority Of the house committee
After his conference with Chairman
| wadsworth, President Roosevelt wrote
letter 10 him stating. in definite and
formal way. his objections TO the sub
stitute for the Beyeridge amendment