The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-02
BELIEVE IN WILEY.


DR.. Wiley suffered temporary de-
feat at. the pure food convention In
Denver when majority of the dele
gates endorsed the position Of his OPP
ponents on benzoate of soda-but he
lost nothing in public confidence. On
this feature-The New York Journal
Of Commerce says:
The vote of the Association OF Food
and Dairy Departments at Denver. re-
versing its position OF last year and
sustaining the report of the referee
board on benzoate of soda, In no way
weakens the position of DIR. III. w. VIII
ey before the public, and certainly af-
fords no reason why the public should
lose the benefit of his service. as head
or the bureau OF chemistry OF the agri-
cultural department, in the admins
tration OF the pure food law. He may
have committed errors Of judgment.
but II so, they have been rare and
such as any mere human being is IL
able to make. He may have been &C.
casionally over-zealous and too UNI
bending in a strict application of the
law, but we recall no serious instance
OF the kind, and, in any case. It lis
the safe side rather than that of giving
way too readily to the pressure of those
interested In lax administration of
its provisions. Even IL it were to be
admitted that his attitude regarding
the use of benzoate Of soda as a pre
sentative is not fully justified, of which
we are by no means convinced, that
would not offset the great value OF his
service as a whole. We are inclined
to think that even his attitude on that
question will yet prove to be OF great
benefit.
However that may be, II is to be
hoped that DR.. Wiley will not voIun-
tarily surrender the position in which
he has been so useful and that he win
be so strongly supported that the ef-
forts of the coterie of food manufac-
turers whose attempts to evade the law
he has thwarted to get rid of him viii
| be defeated Nobody ventures TO cues
ton his official integrity or his honesty
of purpose. His professional ability Ia
not attacked and his judgment "a
| hardly doubted by those who have no
interest except that OF a faithful exc.
cution Of the law for the benefit OF the
public. His zeal and determination to
see the law strictly enforced were pre-
cisely the qualities needed in the po-
sition he held when 1t took effect, and
it was fortunate that such man was
found in the place. The object of the
law was to remedy acknowledged evils
In the preparation or foods for the
market, especially such as are dis
guised in preserving and packing
The fact OF food and drug adultera-
ton, the frequent use of inferior mater
ials, disguised by antiseptic chemicals
and coloring substances, and of decep-
tive or fraudulent labelling or branding
had become notorious before the pure
food law was enacted after long con.
test in congress. A good deal of capita
and some powerful interests were tt
be encountered in applying the law t.
effect the purpose for which II wa.
passed, and to put a stop to practice,
which were not merely q menace t,
public health, but a continual frauS
, upon consumers OF a great variety O.
prepared or preserved food products
There was need OF the utmost vigil
ance, OF clear and ready judgment, ant
of firmness in decision and resolut,
action in getting the law into opera.
ton. Opposition and resistance wer,
inevitable and had to be met. A veal
or irresolute man In the position TO
passing upon questions OF adulteratioi
: and the use Of injurious Ingredient
or Of deceptive labelling would hav
I been fatal to the success of the law.
Every man has more or less the de
fects of his qualities" The honest maj
: is severe upon even the appearance o
deception or fraud. The jealous an
! resolute man Is disposed to be aggres
sive rather than tactful, and the cour
ageous man does not shrink from con
: fiict that might be avoided. Consider
g ing what was required in getting thi
law into successful operation and max
ing 1t effective for its purpose. Dl
: Wiley has shown himself EXCEPTIONAL
Y fitted for the tasks that fell to hin
and the country owes him d debt 3
gratitude. 1t needs his service unit
the law il accepted and the nussnes
: affected by 1t Ii adjusted to its re
I quirements and ready to observe ther
3 without contest. Where experienc
! proves 1t to be defective it should b
amended and improved, ana those wh
are familiar with its working an
,. trained in It's application are best dual
It fled to propose amendments. Purvey
ors of food products who are dispose
to be honest and laW-abiding win see
= to be In harmony with the authorize
i In perfecting It and making II work fl
y the benefit Of all concerned, excey
II such az seek to profit by abuses ths
are wrong upon the public d
Wiley has done nothing to forfeit til
9 confidence of those for whose benei
Is this law was passed, and his servic.
i cannot be spared. The enemies he III
made are not friends of the publ
good.
i - The tobacco nsers don't seem
II mind the fact that naria green Is IL.