The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-02
DOCTOR WILEY THE JEopLES CHAM


PIoN.
The Tradesmon has rendered service 20 the
public in publishing resume of the work per-
formed by the Pure Food and Drug Board, with
Doctor H. w wiley at its head The people at
large know of the existence Of this board and
are conscious TO some degree Of its activities.
: But few realize however the large scope of its
lsbors and the extent of It's achievements. This
interesting and Informing article in the issue
of July 27lh will prove a revelation to many
of its readers.
In little over three years. Doctor Wiey's
board has prosecuted S94 cases for violation OF
the pure food law. in the great majority of ]
which conviction with PENALTY has been secured. |
In many cases the same parties have drew the
penalty of the Law again. with consequent con
vioton and some of them have felt the force
of the law several times. The charges involved
aduiteration, misbranding and shortage In
weight or quantity. Misbrandng related to
false statements as TO the content effects OF
the passage. and to the quality and quantity.
The Importance and value of this work is seen
when understand that the adulteration. mis-
branding and shortage discovered in the vast
majority OF cases. affected articles OF daily use,
There is nothing that comes into the home in
the way OF foodstuf, not water ITSELF that
~as not tempered with by INSCRIPTIONS dealers
for the sake OF gain. Much Of the adulteration
consisted in the introduction Of dangerous pre-
servation and Injurious coloring matter Much
of the stuff offered for sale food dis
covered to be filthy. putrid, decomposed and
unfit for human consumption" Many goods,
misbranded. found to be harmless but
worthless substitutions OF cheap articles, under
the label OF foods Many cases, particularly of
canned goods, were discovered in which there
was palpable shortage in weight.
In addition TO convictions carrying fines
there were large seizures and destruction of
goods unfit for human consumption. The fol-
lowing table will convey astonishing informa-
ton as to the quantity of worthless harmful
articles thus made away with;
Apples evaporated, ~ boxes; beer, cases;
cheese. AZ cases. cloves. Is bales; coffee 1853
sacks corn. $50 cases; currants barrels. 3o2
packages; eggs, $500 cases, 81 900 Dozen figs,
So boxes: Ga barrels Goldfish, 1000 pounds cod
FISH, 7o5 cases sardines. 80 barrels OF honey, "A
barrels. 20 cases horse feed. zoo sacks; ice
cream cones esq $780, macaron 9,ll0 boxes
maple syrup. sc gallons; mincemeat, 6,S52
pounds olives & casks. 50 barrels $50 gallons;
oysters % barrels. As gallons peaches. dried,
1850 pounds peanuts. 900 pounds; pineapple,
10 cases: prunes. 10 boxes; raisins, b22 boxes
tea roo pounds; tomatoes, canned. 2,069 cases.
tomato catsup 1850 gallons. 2.676 cases. % bar
rels. Is half barrels tomato paste. ALSO boxes.
a6s barrels: tomato pulp $50 barrels: 60 eases
vinegar. 40 barrels water, 90 bottles, 100 demi-
johns sss cases whiskey. so barrels
over 200 Judgments obtained against
the manufacturers of drug products; by far the
largest number being the so-called headache
cures" the occasion of efense being the con-
ceanent or description as to the presence in
the formula, and the quantity, of the dangerous
acetanilid
IL Is gratifying. when the causes OF the PEG
pie seem to have moved slowly through the
other departments OF the government. that one
public servant has been able to handle his work
so efficiently and so expeditousIy 1t is not to
be wondered at that he should have aroused the
enmity and opposition of the greedy scoundrels,
whose nefarious schemes he has detected and
destroyed They have been upon his trail
through his whole term OF Office aud finally, ap-
parently with the willing aid hostile govern
ment employees. they were very TO secur-
Ing his dismissal from the service. But pub
bic opposition Immediately aroused. and
such an instant public protest reached the ears
OF Washington, that it now seems likely the eff
fors Of his foes will be frustrated. DR.. Wiley
2atss 44tH ff a
stands guard at the doorway of every American
home, seeking TO thrust back invading rascals
and TO thwart dishonest schemes to
plumber The houshoM with no care for the
health or happiness Of the family. Thousands
OF men. recognizing his sincerity OF purpose and
realizing the value Of his efforts, proclaim him
the most useful member OF the administration
al Washington.