The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1908-10-22
FOOD CONTROL ISSUES.

One result Of the appointment of a
referee board Of chemists by President
Roosevelt, probably not anticipated by
many persons, is now coming promi-
nently to notice. 1t seems to be prac-
tically impossible for the department
of agriculture to consider action upon
any subject involving debatable scien-
tiic questions without a strenuous ap-
reference to the board. There is hardly
field in which the conclusions of sci
ence are so unmistakable as to leave
no room for further inquiry. Conse-
quently it is entirely practicable for
concerns which are using doubtful
methods or probably unwholesome
materials to bring expert testimony in
support of their contentious and to
make out case for appealing a given
topic. Among matters whose transfer
to the board has lately been suggested
or demanded, are the wholesomeness
Of sulphate of copper as a coloring for
vegetables, the desirability of the
bleaching of fiours. and the question
whether certain drugs are derivatives
of certain others, and as such
are habit forming" The diversity Of
the issues and the urgency with which
an appeal is demanded indicate that
there is special reasons for the popu-
larity of this board, and suggest that
the delay in getting verdicts from it
may have some weight with those who
desire it's good offices. ~
1t would be unfortunate il the board
of chemists, created by the president
for the study of obscure scientific
questions, whose determination one
way or the other would, have import
ant commercial results, should be per-
mitted to become a mere mode of OBJ
structing progress in the control of
foods. Only three important subjects
have thus far been committed to it,
but there is a considerable number of
others, aside from those already men
Z
toned, which are apparently hung
up" pending decision by the depart
ment what to do with them. Although
the authorities do not state positively
whether they intend to refer the ques-
tions at issue or not, they evidently
lean toward committing them to the
board, says The New York Commerce
ial. Meanwhile, all matters depend
ent upon the decisions in these contro-
versies are in allegiance. The board
| itself has not decided the subjects
placed before it many months ago and
there is no suggestion of the date for
q report on any one of them. II the
benzonate of soda and sulphur questions
are not determined very soon, next
years manufacturing operations will
have to so on under the old methods,
] even If the latter should be found open
to criticism, since it would be mani
testify unfair for the government to
| apply a new code in the midst Of pre-
parations for seasons work There
is little probability that the sboatd will
be ablesto dispose in the near future OF
Eail three questions now before it,. and
1t is thus easy to see why some manu-
facturers, DESTROYS of postponing any
adverse action as long as possible
should seek to put their cases in the
hands OF body which might not take
action for years. Not much weight
should be given to the argument thai
no concern is willing to go before this
referees unless practically sure Of I
favorable result. 1t is in many in.
stances those which are certain of al
unfavorable verdict from the depart.
ment OF agriculture authorities which
make the appeal, because they hav,
nothing to lose. while in any even
there Is always the chance Of divide,
opinion from the board, with fiirthe
opportunity for discussion.
II the food and drugs act. is to hav
much effectiveness the status Of tn
referees win have to Be much MGR