The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-28
DIR. S. j. Crumbine Appointed
Government Food Inspector.
Wilt Remove Restrictions Under
Which He Has Labored.
CLEAN UP OF STATE.
This Is Expected to Result
From Action.
Samples Will Be Turned Over
to Prof. Bailey.

DR.. S. J. Crumbine. chief food in
spector of the state of Kansas, was
surprised Monday afternoon when he
received from the department of agri-
culture at Washington a huge official
envelope containing a commission for
himself from the secretary of agri-
culture, as a federal food inspector,
with authority to take samples of
foods under the national pure food
law, have those samples examined, con-
duct hearings, and file complaints
against manufacturers with the United
States district attorney.
Along with the commission came a
supply of official department seals to
be used in sealing up samples taken
for analysis, and a big supply of re-
port blanks, directions, copies of the
law, rules and regulations and the full
equipment for starting the work.
Not only is DIR. Crumbine authorized
to act as federal inspector of foods,
but all of DR.. Crumbine's deputies are
authorized to take samples OF foods
which are shipped into the state in vio-
lation of the pure food laws.
The appointment as a federal COM
mission came to DR.. Crumbine entire
ly without solicitation. and is a tribute
to his ability and efficiency as state
food inspector.
The meaning Of the appointment is
that DR.. Crumbine is now in posi-
ton to bring about a complete clean
up of the state of Kansas from a pure
food standpoint. Heretofore, DR.. Crum-
bine and his assistants have been linn
tied in their authority to the food
stuffs manufactured and sold entirely
within the state of Kansas. He could
not interfere with goods shipped in
here from outside the state. because
those goods were interstate shipments,
and came under the direction Of the
federal food inspectors. The only thing
which DR.. Crumbine's department could
do with shipments from outside man
ufacturers was to report them to the
federal authorities in case they were In
violation of the pure food laws.
1t usually required some time to
bring this to the attention of the fed
eral inspectors stationed at Kansas
City, and these inspectors were often
so crowded with work that 1t was a
long time before they could give the
complaint proper attention By that
time, the goods were probably disposed
of and there was nothing for the fed
eral authorities to do.
Now that DIR. Crumbine has been
himself authorized to do the work OF
a federal inspector, he can attend to
such cases himself. and bring offenders
to speedy hearing. - ~F.r--
The letter from Willis Moore, act
ing secretary of the United States de-
partment of agriculture says:
I'm harmony with regulation 3 OF
the rules and regulations for enforcing
the foods and drugs act of June 30,
1906, you or your agents under your
direction are hereby commissioned to
collect samples of foods and drugs
manufactured or offered for sale in the
District of Columbia or in any state
or territory of the United States, or
which shall be offered for sale in I'M
broken packages in any state other
than that in which they shall be offer
ed for sale in unbroken packages, or In
any state other than that in which
they shall have been respectively manu-
featured or produced, or which shall
be received from any foreign coun-
try"
The commission authorizes the plac-
ing of all samples taken in the hands
of Prof. E. H. s. Bailey of the state
university chemistry department. who
has heretofore been commissioned as
government analyst. If the examina-
ton which Prof. Bailey makes dis
closes any adulteration or misbranding
DIR. Crumbine is required to notify the
manufacturer and the dealer and givs
them an opportunity to be heard. II
after the hearing he Is still convinced
that the parties are guilty of violating
the law, he shall certify the facts tt
the United States district attorney ano
notify the department of agriculture o.
his action.