New-York tribune., 1906-06-16
HnMB IN PACKERS CAMP.
Presidents Letter Causes DisD,ay-
Members of House alarmed.
from The Tribune Bureau

washington. June 15-The President cast Q
boyab into the camp of the packers friends IN
the House by his letter to Chairman Wadsworh
and his strongly expressed disapproVsl OF the
Agricultural Committees substitute Tor tne
rseveridxe amendment. which he has unhesitat-
tugIy pronounced "a packers victory. The COM
nlittee was all at sea- to-day, and it is impossi-
hle 20 predict what action will De taken on the
door of .he House. Chairman Wadsworth left
town this afternoon. The substitute will he dis
cussed on the floor OF the House on Tuesday.
Many members OF the House are becoming
alarmed at the political consequences of being
placed in the light OF seeking to protect the pack
ers at the expense of the public. and the result
is probiematical.
II is asserted on authority which seems 10 ne
OF the best that the meat inspection provision
as reported by the House Committee on Agr-
culture was submitted TO the attorneys for the
packers and revised by them. 1t is not regarded
as surprising. therefore, that the President
should declare the substitute "a victory for the
packers"
A member OF the committee who opposed the
so-caIIed court review" provision of the COM
mittee's substitute said to-day that were il
adopted it would defeat the provision against in
furious adulterants in the preparations put up
by the packers. He said that every decision of
the Secretary Of Agriculture that given pre-
servative a specific amount thereof was dele
terious to health would be contested in the
courts and that the packers could easily bring
in five scientists, employed by them subject to
their influence, who would testify that the ex-
perts OF the Department of Agriculture were
wrong. 10 every one that could be placed on the
stand by Secretary Wilson. so that if there was
any preponderance OF evidence produced in the
courts il would always be on the side of the
packers
Members of the House Committee attempted
TO impugn the Presidents reading of their bill
by alleging that the measure retained the pro-
vision that inspectors could have access to the
packing house at any time. The fact is. how
ever, that instead Of granting such free access
the House substitute merely provides that the
federal inspectors shall have access only when
sIaughtering or the preparation of food products
Is IN progress. 1t Is apparent, therefore, that
amount OF adulteratiOn and unceanly practices
might go on when il was alleged thar there was
no slaughter9ng or preparation Of food products
going
An informal conference Of those members of
the House committee whose votes authorized the
report on the substitute was held to-day. Mem
bers who attended say that the committee will
stand pat on the substitute. After the confer
efce MI Wadsworth discussed the matter with
Speaker Cannon, and later Mr. Cannon was
asked regarding the situation.
i do not care TO discuss for publication the
report Of the House Committee on Agriculture
touching meat inspection" he said 1T is now
pending before The House, and in common viii,
other members Of the House / am satisfied that
IL VIII receive safe and sound consideration I
lTa also satisfied that before Congress adjourns
IeglslatIon VIII be enacted provide an eff
meat finding markets in the United States and
IN foreign countries. The floor Of the House
IS the place for debate. consideration and actio.
regarding matter which is pending legislation"