Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-26
EXPERTS LOCK HORNS
Benzoate of Soda on Trial in
Denver Today.
THE ROOSEVELT REFEREES
Dr.. Ira Remsen Says Preservative
Is Harmless.
FOOD MEN ON OTHER SIDE
Secretary Wilson Is Present and
FOOD MEN ON OTHER SIDE
Secretary Wilson Is Present and
Listens With Keen Interest
to the Wrangling.

monty used i'm manufactured food prod
ucts was put on trial before the conven-
ton of the Association of State and Ma
tional Food and Dairy Departments to-
day. The opposing forces were the gov
ernment chemical experts, including
members of the Remsen referee board
who contended that benzoate was harm
less. and some of the 300 state food COM
missioners and agriculturists delegated
TO the convention.
Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson
was an interested spectator. Near him
sat DIR. Ira Remsen of Baltimore, Nd; !;
DR.. Russell H. Chittenden of New Haven,
Conn: DR.. John II. Long of Evanston.
ILL.,. and DR.. Christian H. Herter of New
York city. all members of the referee
board OF consulting scientific experts
appointed by President Roosevelt to set
tie the disputed points in the federal pure
food law. Each member of the board
read a paper upholding the conclusion
that benZoate. when used in food in mod
crate quantities is harmless
The position taken by Mr.. Emery and
his followers, as announced by them. Is
'if there is any doubt as to the harmful
ness of chemicals in food the public
should have the benefit of the doubt y
That there is any doubt is the belief
of many competent scientists.
Catsup From Rotten Tomatoes.
AS showing that benzoate does not
cover up inferiority, DR.. Long said he
had made catsup out of rotten toma toes,
apples, peaches and bananas. In one
portion were put vinegar and spices, and
in another benZoate, and the only por-
tion which tasted good was that in
which vinegar and spices had been mixed.
III m a
member of the referee board, came in
daily contact with the six young men
upon who mthe experiments with ben-
zoate of soda were made for tire govern
menf.
The evidence from the experiments
was so open and unmistakable that no
fair-minded person could avoid the con-
clusiOn that benzOate In the amounts cm-
ployed is q perfectly harmless substance. .
said Dr. Long II must admit that in
one respect l protected my men and some
of you may assume that my protection
was an interference.
What may result from little physical
disturbance was shown before any actual
tests were made. The men We're brought
together in advance of the period proper.
They supposed that the administration
of benzoate would begin Immediately and
it is actual fact that some of the
men became apparently too sick to eat
properly for several days. But after
work he had no further trouble.
After drawing the conclusion that ben
zoate used in small quantities never
would injure health, DR.. Long went on
to discuss whether or not the drug could
be employed to cover up any inferiority in
foods.
AT the request of a large manufactur-
ing firm he said, there was sent to my
laboratory mass of rotten tomatoes with
which to make catsup. Some of it was
y,rn rnd yx-It win md ov,3o
with benZoate and some left unmixed. The
odor and taste of the last were bad: that
with the benZOate showed essentially the
same condition. while with the vinegar
and spices a fair grade of commercial
catsup was secured. Benzoate has but
little taste and no odor, and. therefore. it
cannot conceal inferiority."
George L. Flanders, assistant COM
missioner of agriculture of New York
state, is named as the probable next
president of the association.
After the convention Secretary Will
son will make a tour of the western
states.
DR.. Remsen Speaks.
DR.. Ira Remsen of Baltimore Nd
chairman of the referee board of con-
sulting scientific experts. addressed the
convention. saying in part:
In the early part of the year 1908
idents of half a dozen universities, say
ing that in the administration of the
pure food law difficulties had arisen
and that it seemed desirable to call in
the aid Of "A group of. scientific men to
pass upon snch disputed matters
From the first letter of the President
the exact nature of the duties of the
board to be appointed was not clear.
Shortly after this l was invited by the
President 10 call upon him and talk the
matter over. At this meeting he asked
me to take the craftsmanship Of the board.
/ demurred and indeed said l did not
want my name considered, He however,
urged me to accept, saying: L want you
to start the work. If after it is under way
you find it takes too much time, or for
any other reason you wish to give it up,
YOU can withdraw There was apparently
nothing left for me but to accept, and l
did so.
.sThe President then turned over to me
the letters he had received from the uni
versities, and asked me to select the
members of the board, giving me free
rein.
.As a result, l submitted to the Presi-
dent the names of Doctors Chittenden,
Long, Herter and Taylor. The selec-
tions were at once approved by the Pres
ident. and the appointments were prompt
ly made by the Secretary of Agriculture
Talked With Wilson.
the situation with Secretary Wilson, and
since the appointments my dealings have
been directly with the Secretary. You
understand that the referee board was
to take up only such questions as would
be referred to it by the Secretary. We
understand we had nothing to do with the
administration of the pure food law. Our
function Is to answer to the best Of our
power such questions as the Secretary
may put.
Now in regard to this work on benzoate
of soda. The referee board was asked to
determine two points:
"1-Whether benZoate of soda in guam
titles as are likely to be used is or is not
injurious to health.
.'2-Whether the quality or strength of
food to which benzoate OF soda has
been added is thereby reduced, lowered
or injuriously affected.
"You know the conclusion 20 which the
board has been led by its work With
the actual experimenting l had nothing
to do
Speaking of the results of experiments
made by administering quantities of ben
Zoate of soda into the food given to six
healthy young men for periods, respec-
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