New-York tribune., 1907-08-18
FOOD PURITY TREATIES
International Agreements Proposed
bu american authorities.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau. I

Washington. Aug- 17.-Dr. Harvey W. Wiley. tho
American pure food expert, has just returned from
Europe bringing assurances from the most pro
s-essivs nations On the other side OF the Atlantic
that they ere n hearty accord with the progress
siTe food methods being employed in America and
piecging support 70 the campaign he has started
which has tts object the adoption OF q univer-
sal standard Of tests for eIl classes Of foods
/, discussing the adoption Of such internR-
uonsl standa-d Of tests these countries have in
cs.sG .hs; the United States should call con-
sssse OF sas food experts O, the world for the pur
ynse OF reaching an agreement DR.. Wiley VIII
Uge fhe President &C do this at the earliest pos
SAh dAts II Is expected that such convention.
q Be heis within e year. VIII result IN the adop-
e@ os The American standards. OF which Dr.
: Nau tn soe originator, and that these standards
(G svsatuany become worldwide in their op-
Incn.
= Nsacs." said DR.. Wiley. -T conferred with
Dc 6e-e.a-y Of Agriculture Of that country. He
y thoroughly Il sympathy with the movement and
~ pledged 81 his heartiest support ! have
ocrscEred with authorities in England, Germany.
Amc1s and various other countries, and the as
tuHooee that received were all OF the tenor.
11sss countries al realize that II is matter OF
Wal importance that they should have g common
standard by which 20 test their foods We're the
Standards Of purity the same everywhere = food
Eighf be tested n any given country and shipped
sh-osd with every assurance that It would be nd
r-rted unquesrioningly at the port Of destination
AS TIE matter al present stands the shipper must
understand in detail the laws and regulations
Ct every country TO which he sends goods, or run
tbs risk of their being turned back upon him
Prese-vatfves permitted in one country may not
be allowed in another. or the quantities Of any
Objectionable substance allowed may be different
IL the country in which the article originates and
IN that 10 which II IS sent These matters lead
70 Unlimited complications and entail a great
amount q extra work and duplicated inspection
IN ali quarters
In England. for instance. the requirement OF
sltte-fat IN milk is per cent while in the United
h'ates II is 81 per cent Wines that are perrnis-
sole under the French regulations are being regu-
-zrs tIrned back At our ports because Of a varia-
Ton Il percentages Of contents IN the different
regulations These variations are not OF great i'm
portanoe and the standard OF either country might
% acceptable 70 inspection in some countries,
While not included IN the lists OF those that must
asas the government seal IN others. New <bjec-
co1able preservatfves and injurious coloring mat
se-s are being discovered all the time and placed
o. the black list IN the country where they appear
without cooperation among the countries, the
knowledge q the placing Of the ban upon any
cice may be unknown until large shipments are
NEG I'D aS some port and turned back, occasioning
great loss 70 both parties interested IN the trans
action
Food inspection is comparatively new. and the
Standards IN tie different countries at present are
nos very far apart The matter Of making them
&c Al paTucGA61s HCltl iiOA DC Ne-@-~N-N- -
u easy 10 the impetus that would be given TO
raoe between the nations if the same measures
were used for al II there were a universal cur
fsfe? The principle is the same here, but the
Mstter is being taken up at a sufficiently early
Stage o2 development IN pure food regulation 10
ci1Ee Il Immediately adjustable
1 VIII ask the President 10 call a congress as
eoon as possible. asking Representatives from All
eas nations 70 be present assured that such
-esuest VII meet ready response The meeting
.ooio be held IN Washington. probably, In that IL
= lie custom 70 hold such congress in the coun-
- nsulng tie call Il would DO many OF the or
1-s OF tne European countries good 10 come over
N'1 See how We do things. Many Of them have
ese' been abroad. and need the influence OF OBJ
s&ton ot methods away from home, while the
-s'csn reople are sufficiently travelled ALREADY
Nle United States is probably more active In
p-ie ieoo matters at present than any Of the
AAalopean countries We were at time far be-
.-ae' II that We cid nothing until the work was
-a we took Up the work however, we proffeo
- E-e experience Of ali tie other countries. and
nave proven the most comprehensive.
o-1s' continued Dr.. Wiley, will not be i'm
- OF course. Even after the congress has
oh uniform standards IL will require time
- fesisiaiion 70 secure general usage, but that
,. 'aie 30 thoroughly and generally is the
~ u4's realized. however, and enthusiastic are
:. e countries that have consulted that there is
ssesnon OF the eventual success OF the move
es possible"