Evening journal., 1909-08-23
PURE FOOD Law
WORKS MUCH GOOD
In Three Years Trial it Has
Resulted in Marked I'M
prOVement
ENFORCEMENT IS
MOST EFFECTIVE

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23-om.cials oil
tho Department of Agriculture present
figures TO show that tho pure food and
drugs act Is being enforced in a most
effective fashion regardless OF any crit
icisms that may be made in connection
with such disputed subjects as benzoate
Of soda and other mateors which have
been sent to the Remsen board for decl-
sion. IL is asserted that the law has re-
suited, IN the three years It has been on
trial, Ia the most marked Improvement
IN the food products and drugs used by
the people Of the United States.
Secretary Wi ison has undoubtedly been
indefatlgablc in his work In the enforce
ment Of the pure food and drugs act.
He has given about a third OF his time
TO IT, il has largely increased the bur-
dens OF his office.
MANY TO BE PROSECUTED.
Tho legal processes under the pure
food and drugs act comprehend criminal
prosecution OF those who violate the law
and seizure ana condemnation OF ship
ments Of goods which are found TO be
adulterated or misbranded or otherwise
not ia compliance with the statute
About 600 cases have been reported to
the Attorney General for criminal prose-
cution and about eiO seizures Of goods
have been recommended. In recent weeks
there has been great activity. and In the
last week about 125 cases In which crim-
inal prosecution is advised have been
recommended to the Attorney General.
Also a number OF seizures have been rec
commended, including the seizure Of eight
shipments Of bleached flour
But there has been other progress made
than that which IS indicated by these fig
ures. In tho first place, activity for puro
food has been greatly encouraged in the
States. Cooperation with the States has
been encouraged by Secretary Wilson.
and many State pure-fuod commissions
are doing excellent work. The food and
drug commissioners Of the States are
likewise Federal officials and have au-
thority to report cases Of violations Of
law TO the Federal authorities
Manufacturers Of food and drug prod
ucts I'm most cases arc said to be endeav-
oring TO comply with the law The De-
partment of Agriculture gets about 200
letters daily from manufacturers who
say If they are not right and within the
law they want to be advised what 10 do.
SITUATION MOST PLEASING.
phase of the situation that Is most
pleasing to the Department Of Agricul-
ture officials Is that the courts generally
are showing a friendly disposition TO the
law and are seeming 20 be intent on up
/ holding il. Tho Government thus far,
out of more than 30 orcminal prosecu-
tons. has not lost case ON the law.
Secretary Wilson has pure-food in
spectors plastered all over the country
90 OF them IN all They are on the aier
all the time for adulterated and mis-
branded foods and drugs which are be
low standard
One Of the most important features o
the work under the puro-food law is IN
spection Of the milk supply OF cities. Tn
milk supplies OF St. Louis Kansas City
Chicago and Cincinnati have been in
spotted. The series OF frauds IN food an,
drug articles which has been uncovere,
would nm a large book II related. Thes'
frauds have been found in food products
% almost every kind and i'm many drugs
A great number OF lmportatlons of impure
foods and drugs have been held up an,
doported or their relabeling compelled.