The Washington herald., 1909-08-13

Something OF hutter among the food
experts has been created by the plans
for the forthcoming convention at Den
Yer on August "A OF the Association OF
State and National Dairy and Food De-
partments.
1t is not unlikely that the occasion
viii be enlivened by struggle between
Or. Harvey w. Wiley and others in the
official circle who do rot agree with his
conclusions in regard 70 the alleged dele
terious effects Of certain chemical pre-
servatives when used In foods.
Secretary Wilson has promised to be
present at the convention. In addition 10
the Federal officers, who are charged
with the responsibility Of administering
the food law. representatives OF nearly
every State and Territory will be on the
convention floor as delegates.
Made Fight Alone.
DR.. Wiley and his friends have been
very active in stirring up the State as
sociations 20 make a show OF opposition
against the action OF the Federal govern
ment in adopting the unanimous report
Of the Remsen board Of scientific ex-
perts appointed b. President Roosevelt.
which found that DR.. Wiley's conclusions
condemning the use OF benzcate Of soda
were not well founded Dr. Wiley has
stood practically alone I'm his fight against
the preservatives. His decision that its
use should be prohibited was not sus-
tained by his associates on the Board Of
Food and Drugs Inspection In the Agri-
cultural Department Two OF the mem
bers Of the board declined 20 acquiesce
in Or. Wileys report that benzoate of
soda IS deleterious when used in the
quantities in which # is now employed
by food manufacturers under the permis-
sion OF the Federal government
DR. Wiley threatened 10 resign as chief
chemist. but his friends urged him 20
continue IN Office His hackers outside
OF the department Immediately started
a propaganda in support Of D-. WilCy's
views. They established a publicity bu-
reau IN Washington, end have since been
making onslaughts OF the report Of the
Remsen board and giving out eulogios on
Dr. Wiley.
The fight viii be renewed at the Den
yer convention. Secretary Wilson viii bC
there 10 defend the action OF the depart
ment IN adopting the report OF the Rem
sen board. and he viii De accompanied 10y
the two members Of the departmental
I board. representing the majority that
overruled Dr. Wiley originally IN his con-
clusons as 20 the use Of preservGtives.
Earlier Views Quoted.
Or. Wney's attitude toward the use OF
benzoatc Of soda has changed in the last
few years This fact was pointed out
/ yesterday by an officer in the Aericul-
tural Department interested IN the worl
of administering the pure food law He
quoted from testimony given by the
/ chief chemist before a committee of the
House OF Representatives In which Or
Wiley declared that the use Of beuzoate
/ Of soda should not be prohibited but
that il should be allowed under Nmlta-
tons. which the department. is nov I'M
| posing. and. Dr. Wiley averred. that IN
/ der such conditions its use would be
beneficial instead of detrimental. because
I II would serve 20 arrest the formation
/ Of ptomaines and would prevent many
/ cases of ptomaiue poisoning.
! Some Of the officers Of the department
/ take the Wee that the chief chemist is
unreasonable and Inconsistent in his op.
( position 70 the use Of the preservative
| The struggle at Denver VIII undoubtedly
attract the widest national interest and
may result IN reopenlng the whole sub
I ject IN the next Congress.