New-York tribune., 1907-01-03
10 ENFORCE FOOD Law,
Eren Temporary VioIations Not
Safe, Secretary Wilson Declares

Washington, Jan. I've cannot cav 6eer,ta-
II what class Of merchants or manufactures.
we shall reach first in the enforcement os .ba
Pure Food ana Drugs act said Secretary VIII
son o. the Department Of Agriculture TODAY
'but you may take it to be certain that a,pona
the first to he reached will he the feroy,s u.ho
defy The law"
The Secretarys statement was read after he
had read q circular recently issued by the Ma
tionel wholesale Grocers Association Among
other comments on the law contained in the cir
cular these:
There is nothing in the law that prohibits the
matter or preservative ms
Parties desiring TO use fictitious names might
oreahlze HIins or corporations under these
names. FICTITIOUS names may be used with i'm
punity until next October ~
while the departmental machinery for the
enforcement of the law has not vet beer corn-
pleted, continued Secretary Wilson .rba LAM
IS now in force. and any merchant or MANN
facturer who violates it does so at his peril If
any Of these gentlemen think they can defv the
law with impunity, let them try it. and I will
undertake 10 assure them. eventually a sum-
mons to appear before United States court"
The Secretary added that under the regula-
tons issued by the department such labels as
now are in the hands of manufacturers and
oealFrs may De used until the first of October
because the department had no desire to impose
q upon them heavy loss by forcing the destruc-
tion Of a quantity of expensive labels
But. said the Secretary ION all products
entering into interstate foreign commerce +,
VIII he necessary 10 have label that will show
"hat lhe package contains. If the old label
does not show this fact A paster must he pIIt IN
the package which Will show it If the manu-
iac1urer or dealer should refuse to place The
Te2 ~lrapa hea F,e.r.
able to the law. For instance. cottonseed oil
may not be sold for olive oil. If the package
contains cottonseed oil. either the Ia bel or the
laster must show that il is CottonSeed oil so
fhat Inc purchaser may know that he is not
9ettlns olive oil. If unwholesone coloring mat
Ter is used by the manufacturer in the prepara-
non or any product he win Law himself liza bile
10 prosecution. No aniline dyes or deIeterious
fFeserNatlYes viii be permitted in food products
minds to that. and adjust their business ac-
cordingly."
When the Pure Food law was enacted Con-
Eress failed to provide appropriation for its
enforcement. Secretary Wilson and other off,
clals OF The Department of Agriculture pro-
ceeded, however on the assumption that the
necessary departmental force ultimately would
be provided by Congress. Just before the holi-
Gay recess an appropriation of $4,000 was
made by Congress TO able Secretary Wilson 10
obtain d sufficient corps Of chemists and, in
spectors 20 enforce the law. The Civil Service
Commission will hold examinations throughout
the country this month To secure list of men
eligible to appointment AS soon as possible
viii be certified 70 the Agricultural Department
II may be two months before the force is or
sanized and in thorough working order.
II viii be the duty of the inspectors to dis
cover violations Of the law. and the chemists
Will examine such food products as may be
submitted 10 them for analysis