Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-07-06
HIS WORK FOR
PURE FOOD BILL
Snocial Correspondence.

Special Correspondence
Washington. July 2,--DespHe the
fact that Senator Hepburn was III
during several weeks of the session
of congress just closed. the Importance
OF his work in the senate on the Varl-
o,1s matters To which he gave his at
,antiou is second to that of no other
member of the senate. HIS stanu III
opposition to the extension or FOREST
reserves in Idaho. for the present at
least. forced many concessions from
the Forestry Bureau. and his able ana
forceful speech on the floor OF the
senate. which occupied three hours
time. brought the senate to reali-
cation Of the extent OF the detrimental
result Of the plans OF this bureau, and
the harm a continuation Of its prac-
tices will work for the state OF ldaho.
This contest has been carried on by
him. notwithstanding the efforts OF a
"press bureau" that has tried in every
conceivable way to belittle his efforts
and bring him into disrepute with the
people OF his state. The admirable
and successful manner in which he
| has conducted himself during this
fight is a proof OF his success as
national law maker. The question Is
not vet settled, and at the next ses-
sion of congress he will be fighting on
the same line.
The most important work done by
Senator Hepburn. however during his
term Of office In the senate. has been
In connection with the pure food bill.
For several years the house Of repre-
sentatives has annually passed a pure
i food bill only to have 1t die natural
| and peaceful death in the pigeon holes
| of the senate committee on manufac-
turers. When Senator Hepburn was
ship, it was intended by the leaders IN
the senate that he should conform to
the well beaten paths Of his prede-
cessors, and promptly smother any
bin Of this kind that the house might
! be foolish enough to pass Contrary
to expectations, Senator Hepburn
promptly prepared and introduced the
most stringent pure food bill that had
ever been before congress. He decided
that the senate needed education along
this line, and proceeded to take ad-
vantage Of every lull to convince thu
senate of the Impurities OF foods ant
drugs being wrongfully placed before
the people Of the country. 1t wasn''
long until the senate commenced Il
take notice He had his bill made thu
unfinished business Of the senate dur
ing the closing days of the 28th con
gress. On account OF the great rusi
OF business before the senate, he final
" consented to let the bill go over blu
with the distinct warning to the lead
/ ers that he would introduce new AM
more perfect bill at the next session
This he did, and its final passage witt
[ only four negative votes, though or
iginally opposed by the most powerf,
men In the senate backed by certai
great commercial interests, Is now
: :. matter of history The bill was the
!. sent to the house. and determine
effort was there made to smother !
public opinion which the subjet
aroused. Speaker Cannon finally cor
scented to It's passage. The bill wa
amended in the house In some OF i
provisions. but an agreement ma
h finally been reached which leaves II
p bill practically as introduced by Sci
n ator Hepburn.
he The new pure food law marks
important step in the right directio
and can be improved as the exigel
r cies of the situation demand. T.
work of Senator Hepburn in behalf
Of pure food and pure drugs was We
Important to the people of the Unit
~ States, and stamps him. owing to I
IN seeming insurmountable obstacles
the way. as constructive statesm
i, OF the first order