Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-13
UNDER NEW FOOD LAW
IT'S PROVISIONS DISCUSSED BY
LOCAL PEOPLE.
Views of Grocers Regarding the Eff
feet on Prices-Druggist
Propounds Queries.

The new pure food law, which was ex-
pected to have a revolutionary ehect In
prices of meat products put up by the
packing establishments in the west, may In
fact in the future, eliminate from the mar
ket much of the cheapest grades OF goods
in which meat is constituent. Just now,
however, its effect is reported to be small,
If any. This Is because the dealers are
allowed to dispose of the stock they have
on hand. All new stock must bear label
showing that the contents Of the package
are as represented.
A Star reporter inquired of a represent
alive of Swift and Company yesterday
regarding the advance in prices on meat
products and was told that there had been
no advance. His firm was selling goods al
practically the same price they did BEFORE
January l, and as far as he knew there
would be no advance.
The reporter also called on G. G. Cornwell
& Sons for information regarding the work
ings of the new law as applied to 5ellieS.
preserves and fruit products generally, and
was told that the law would only anect
the cheaper class of goods and that prices
on the higher grades will remain unchang-
ed 1t is understood preserves have been
sold in the city as low as three cents per
pound wholesale These goods are not
made of peach or apple, or as they were
labeled. but were composed largely OF
pumpkin and other cheap material colored
and favored to represent the article 1t
was sold for.
This class of goods, it is believed, will
disappear from the market when the labels
have to show the ingredients, although
there Is nothing unhealthfui in them. They
will disappear, 1t is said, because the people
will not buy the cheap stuff, but will prefer
paying higher price for an article which
is what it Is represented to be.
CottOnseed oil, maSquerading as olive Oil,
mill &c 70 f7riypn r.
ket, but pure olive oil win sell. 1t is said,
at the same old price. Those who wish
to buy cottonseed oil can still do so, but
the demand will be limited. Those who
find it on sale. doubtless, but purchasers
will buy 1t with their eyes open"
Queries by Druggist.
A local druggist in speaking of another
phase of the law said it looked to him as
If the druggist selling seidlitz powder,
or any other preparation, slightly under
weight from evaporation or other causes
which the maker could not control. is
liable to fine of 81, 900 and Imprisonment
for a year.
II would like to have the Department OF
Agriculture state whether the druggists here
are to be treated the same as in the states. -
he said, "as 1t seems to me the District
and the territories do not come under the
law. L tnlnR IL out just mat tne Depdrt-
ment of Agriculture should give an exact
ruling as to the provisions of the law, and
should state what time the druggists are
to have. or if snap judgment is to be taken
on them.
Under the new law, it seems to me, a
manufacturer supplying preparation ad-
vertised under a name not his own, and
by which it has been known for twenty or
thirty years. cannot now use the old name
on the label but must use his own. This
will prove a great hardship.
Another thing l would like to know is,
upon whom is placed the responsibility Of
enforcing the law. Does 1t come under the
United States district attorney or under
the District health officer who is APP
pointee of the Commissioners"