The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-18
NOW CONSIDERING THE PURE FOOD LAW Department Officials Hold Gov-
 ernment Hearing ENFORCEMENT IS DESIRED It Is Suggested That Hearings On Charges Should Be Held at Stated
 Times Before Secretary
 of Agriculture.
ENFORCEMENT IS DESIRED

New York. September 17.-A committee consisting of pr. II. w. Wiley of the de- partment of agriculture; s. N. D. North, director of the census and James l. Ger " of the treasury department, who was appointed by an act of Congress today, began governmental hearing on the scope of the new pure food law. Nearly a hundred members or representatives of leading firms in New York and other cities throughout the United States were present when pr. Wiley called the meet ing to order at 10 o'clock this morning.
 The questions being debated under the first of the twelve groups of arguments include one regarding, How VIII the law affect dealers who on January l next have on hand goods which do not com ply with the law?'
 Dr. Wiley in his address opening the hearing said the commission sdesires to frame rules to enforce the act so as to nuke the least possible disturbance to business conditions and to give the least annoyance to the manufacturers, jobbers and public
 What the commission desires to learn, he said Is how to enforce the act; not how to prevent It. The law had two pur poses in view to prevent adulteration or misbrandng. As the regulation of the in spection of meat and meat products Is prescribed by act of Congress- Dr. Wiley said there Is no need of discussing that point After listening to more argument of the business men, the convention. he nf ,-1tla fo Ina approved by the secretaries of the treas ury, agriculture and labor.
 William c. Breed, attorney for the Ma tlonal Wholesale Grocery association ask ed the commission to secure from the Uni- ted States attorney general an opinion relative to the value of goods which do not complay with the law.
 Thomas Lannon of Chicago spoke brief ly on behalf of maple syrup manufac- turers and the American Cotton oil com pany submitted a brief.
 To Decide Case of Hearing.
 During the afternoon session the ques- ton came up as to where hearings of charges preferred by the secretary of agriculture would be held, whether at Washington or at a point nearer to the manufacturer or dealer under charges. Jay B. Miller suggested holding the near ing on charges before the nearest Uni ted States commissioner after the seere- tary of agriculture had appointed q chemist or other expert to investigate the cast John b. Fash of Chicago suggest ed holding hearings in Washington and in New York twice year Mir Tash's suggestions were as follows:
 The hearings before the secretary of agriculture should be held at stated times, say February and November, in Washing ton and at any time during the year in New York, Chicago and St. Louis where offices should be established with some one in charge who would be authorized to make rulings on such minor matters as may come before him; in actual fact, a bureau of information for such manu- facturers as are engaged in interstate commerce, and where at all times all persons should have the necessary time to prepare their cases.
 They should have the right of appeal to secretary of agriculture at his regular ses- sions In Washington during February and November each year. The hearing will be resumed tomorrow morning.