The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-02-22
COMBINES PREVAIL, AS USUAL.
Provisions of Pure Food Law Not En-
forced by Republicans.

The influence of the whisky trust,
the glucose trust, the beef packers
combine, the Patent Medicine associa-
ton and others whose products are
covered by the pure food and drug
act has been toe much for what vir-
tue the administration possesses.
There is nc doubt that President
Roosevelt favors the law and has in
tended to have it enforced, but to set
tie the many vexatious questions that
arise he has relied upon so-called eX-
perts, including the board of food and
drug inspection, and the too many
cooks employed seem likely to spoil
the broth. The president is more in
terested in politics-persOnal politics
and has but little time to give to
details of the pure food law. The va
rious combines whose products are af-
fected by the law have nearly all
placed obstacles in the way of it's en-
forcement and desire the law modified
in their interest.
For instance, the whisky question
"a hAob Inv up Wy q OClCCI SOulSl
in the department Of agriculture, was
then discussed at a cabinet meeting
and pOndered by the president, was
then passed upon by the attorney gen
eral, went back to the department of
agriculture, and has lately been
through the internal revenue bureau
and the attorney generals Office once
more. The benzoate of soda question
was prayerfully considered by the
board of food and drug inspection and
the decision was ratified by the Sec
rotary of agriculture and two other
cabinet officers. Then it was taken up
by the secretary of agriculture again
and was by him referred once more
to the board. 1t then passed to the
president, who called the board into
consultation, and that is it's status at
present. The corn strip question is
in very much the same position and
the sulphur issue, although not quite
so far advanced, is not very different
ly situated. Meanwhile, although
many suits for violation Of the law
have been recommended to the de-
partment Of justice by the department
Of agriculture, but few have been
brought. The question is therefore be.
ing asked how far President Roose
welt intends to have the law en-.
forced. For a good while the presi.
dent has been regarded as the main.
stay of the law and he has at times
taken Coma D0,actiCpab1v pOcitiyo
steps in support of It. His recent &C.
ton in appointing still another board
of scientists to pass upon some mooted
questions will, of course, operate as a
postponement and will to some eX-
tent weaken the present efficient board
of food and drug inspection by show
ing that the administration has not
full faith in its rulings.
1t is evident that at least some Of
the administration and other lesser |
officials are either not competent or
else are trying to favor the interests
affected. The delay in enforcing the
against those who disregard it
is very unfair to those who are hon. |
trying to obey the law, for in
most cases the pure preparations are
not as enticing to look at as those
which are aduAterated. Meanwhile
the health of the people, especially the
sickly and the children, is injured by
delay in enforcing the law, while
a Republican administration is playing |
for the perpetuation OF it's
power.