The Washington herald., 1907-02-04
JOKER IN FOOD LAW
Peoples Lobby DenOunces
Tawney's Amendment.
WOULD DEFEAT PURPOSE OF ACT
Secretary of Agriculture Prohibited
from Making Use of State Food In
spectiOn OhfciaIs-FiVe Millions
Would Otherwise he Required to
Accomplish Execution of the Law.

Accomplish Execution Of the Law.
The manifold perplexities that surround
the execution Of the pure-food law. in
volving as il does the inspection OF
thousands Of staple articles that 50 into
households from one end of the country
20 the other. have not, in the opinion OF
the friends Of the law, been reduced by
the action of the House last week 10
placing restrictions on the powers Of the
Secretary Of Agriculture in enforcing the
law.
As reported, the agricultural appropria-
ton bill, at the end Of the section re-
lating to the Bureau Of Chemistry, con-
tanned an appropriation Of $4,000 to carry
into effect the provisions Of the pure
food act. There was added to this Sec
ton. on motion of Representative Tawney,
Of Minnesota, the following amendment.
Provided. That no part Of this sum
shall be used for the payment OF compen-
sation or expenses Of any officer or other
person employed by any State county, or
municipal government"
ously objected 10 by the Peoples Lobby.
That organization declares that the
amendment not only skaters the plan
already adopted by the Department OF
Agriculture but, II enacted into law.
would greatly interfere with the efficient
and economical execution Of the pure-food
law. Such a provision it is urged. would
forbid the payment 10 any State, county,
or municipal official Of money for expert
opinion or for services or for expenses
incurred In appearing before a court.
Should the proviso remain in the appro-
priaton bin. the Secretary OF Agriculture
could not request any such officer 70 give
expert advice or render services unless
be did so without remuneration, paying
his own expenses. The amendment would
preclude even the temporary employment
Of the best trained talent of The country
ia the enforcement Of the law.
Years to Organize.
II would take the government two or
/ three years to assemble and organize d
/ force OF experts to carry out the pro-
visions Of the pure-fo0d act and insure
/ its enforcement with a degree of eff
cheney comparable 70 an organization
wherein Federal and State officials CO.
operate. Furthermore, such independent
T enforcement by the national government
would cost many times that provided ia
The plan Of cooperation proposed by the
/ Department Of Agriculture. Five millions
a year. in lieu of the $3.50. eco appropriated.
+ is the estimate of Representative Mann.
In the fight over the pure-food bin last
session the special interests opposing
4 the measure did everything 10 create a
feeling Of antagonism between State Off
Gals and the advocates of a Federal law,
BY this means il was hoped 10 divide
I the forces of reform and bring about a
conflict Of opinion regarding several real
issues involved IN the consideration Of the
measure. This failed As was manifest
az the convention Of the Association Of
state and National Food and Dairy Com
lmjssioners. held at Hartford last summer.
the pure-f0od law has received unqualified
approval from the State officers Ii would
now appear that the same thing is being
attempted in a different way.
A statement given out by the Peoples
Lobby last night contains the following:
The amendment fathered 10y Repre-
sentative Tawney is "a particularly good
example Of the Joker Inasmuch as NJ.
TaWuey has never been known as an eX-
ponent OF States rights. HIS remarks in
/ the House about Federal interference in
State affairs are surprising, 20 say the
least. The Minnesota Representative has
himself established "a precedent IN this
matter In the urgent deficiency bill. re-
ported 10y the Committee on ADprOpTia-
tons, of which Mr.. Tawney is chairman.
there was appropriated $-50,000 20 enforce
the pure-food law from January / to
July l. the beginning of the fiscal year.
There was no string to this appropriation.
AIr. TawHey did not attempt to dictate
to the Department of Agriculture the per
sonnet of the staff charged with the en-
forcement Of the law; he did not tie the
hands Of the Secretary of Agriculture.
CrippIes the Law.
But when the agricultural appropria-
ton bill. considered. not by his committee.
but by the Committee on agriculture,
came before the House. Mr. Tawney
sought TO cripple the enforcement of the
/ law lie was supported in his conten-
zion by Representative Crumpacker Of
Indiana; Representative Fitzgerald. Of
New York, and Representative Sullivan,
+ Of Massachusetts.
ION the other hand, Representative
Mann. Of Illinois. the floor manager of
/ the pure-food bill last session, fought
the amendment vigorously. asserting that
/ the whole theory Of the pure-food law
would be reversed by the amendment.
! Protest was also made by Representative
| Wadsworth, Of New York. chairman OF
! the Committee on Agriculture. and by
Mr. Cocks, of New York, another mem
/ Der Of that committee, who said:
" The plan proposed by the depart
ment seemed to the entire committee to
be an entirely feasible and workable plan.
Notwithstanding the objection made by
the gentlemen here
The agricultural appropriation BILL in
which Is incorporated Mr.. Tawney's
Joker is now in the Committee on Agri-
culture and Forestry Of the Senate"
Crest Point of the Flood.
Tho XA-aotI,ar Tl14yt Ia ,gerl4t ,oo,fr-,y7