The Washington times., 1908-04-19
CONSUMER WINS,
DR.. WILEY ASSERTS
Pure Food Laws Not Made
for Manufacturer, Chief
Chemist Says.
Expert Tells of Pressure
That He Has Had to
Fight.

AS long rs I live. as long as I have
anything TO do about it. 1 Will inter-
pref the pure food laws for the benefit
OF the consumer. II the manufacturer
thinks he is being treated UnJustly he
can go TO the courts and justify his right
to use preservatives, but never will 1
abandon the rights Of the consumer"
DR. Harvey w. Wiley, chief chemist
OF thc Department Of Agriculture, stood
on the pedestal of his long experience
as the guardian Of pure food last even
ing az the University Club, and looked
backward over the twenty-five years
which he has spent IN the Government
service He came to Washington April
9. 1888. and last evening he talked Of
the progress that has been made in the
Government regulation Of food since
that time. He declared himself as I'M
alterably opposed to the adulteratiOn Of
food or anything else that the public
buys. thinking it is getting pure
article.
Refers to Rumored Removal
lie referred in yelled language to the
recent talk Of his being forced out of
once by the pressure brought to bear
by interests which he HAD antagonized
ir his work, and declared that he would
never yield to those influences.
Il am fixed in my position against
impurities in food" he said. Il viii
not recede a single inch from my
stand. That is the reason they call me
radical Well, I'm glad am radical
I could not be anything else I believe
that nothing should go into food but
food. 1 believe that nothing should go
into food that is injurious These are
eternal principles, and If they do not
succeed now or next year, or the year
after that they viii succeed just the
same.
i have never made any uncertain
stand in regard to this matter. 1 have
never tried to conceal my feelings
have accomplished the thing I set out
20 90. TO awaken the people Of the
United States 70 the tremendous impOr-
lance Of pure food I am willing now to
retire from active life, but at present I
do not contemplate doing So
Never Yielded When Right.
Interests with millions IF dollars be
hind them have brought influences to
bear, tremendous influences against
which l was forced 70 battle with all
nv strength TO counterfeit, yet the
proudest thing I can say is that I have
never orce yielded an inch Of ground
wher 1 believed I wss in the right.
Il have 10 desire 20 send anyone to
prison or to inhict fine upon anyone,
but 1 am yery glad 10 know that the
great reform which has been effected
in the manufacture of food has had a
widespread moral effect in our whole
nation.
4 have always thought that my duty
was 10 the consumer. not to the manu-
facturer. 1 believe that every man who
wants 20 use personalities in food
should go before a court and prove that
the use Of that preservative was abso-
luteIy necessary, and that 1t was not
injurious in its effect upon the human
system. That may be an extreme
ground, I know, but the law was not
made for the manufactures"
DR.. Wiley was warmly applauded by
the members Of the club. who inter
-upted him continually 10 express their
approval OF the sentiments expressed by
him.