New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-04
PURE FOOD BOARD TIRED
Dr.. RemSen Says Criticism was
Wholly Unexpected.
WOULD WELCOME RELIEF
Secretary Wilson to Explain Re-
marks About Object of
Body's Creation.
From The Tribune Bureau.1

Washington, Aug 3-Asserting that ne
and his colleagues have grown weary OF
the constant criticism directed AT the
board. and a decision declaring II illegal
probably would be welcomed by the mem
bers DR.. Ira w. Remscn. president or the
Referee Board OF the Department OF Agri-
culture. proved a frank and plalnspoheh
witness before the House committee IN
vestigating the Department of Agriculture
to-day
Or. Remsen said he did not know VINO
was behind the promscuous attacks OH
the board and it's work. but he told the
committee that there is evidently a motive
underlying It all
Gentlemen we have faced every ques-
ton put to us i'm a judicial frame Of mind
We have done our duty as we saw 1t. Con-
nected with large universities. the mem
bers Of the board, before they took up TINS
government task, have never been used to
attacks of this character When the le-
gality of the board was questioned we held
meeting and talked of resignlns. But
there's little of the bulldog, the detorrm-
nation 10 stick. in every man. and We de-
cided to stay II the Secretary Of Agriculture
desired and we did.
My skin is n little thicker now. aud ]
am less moved by this eternal criticism. but
there's not member Of the board who has
not made personal sacrifices in order to
assume the work desired by the Secretary
Makes Much OF Soda Case.
Democratic members Of the committee,
especially Chairman Moss. an Indianian
made much of the fact that three memrers
OF the board had testified in the case Of the
state Of Indiana against the benzoate OF
soda user an issue still pending in the
courts Dr. Remsen said that he had testi-
fed by deposition. but that two members
NJ the board had gone 10 Indiana polls 10
explain the boards report that benzcate
II soda is not harmful as a preservative.
Mr.. Moss intimsted that the referee board
had no right 10 take part in the Indiana
fight.
Did YOU regard yourself as a witness
for the state or for the benzoate of soda
peorle?" demanded Mr. Moss, rather Sc
verclv
Neither" responded Or Remsen en-
phaucally Il merely stated the facts. I
had no personal interest whatever in the
proceedings Secretary Wilson himself sug-
report CT the referee board had been made
an issue in the cose The Secretary said
our board had made report on benzoate
Of soda that tho report had been called
into question and that it seemed entirely
proper 70 answer II we were called on TO
defend it"
The committee received today from the
Department If Agriculture the stenographic
notes Of a hearing held IN MAY. when the
saccharine manufacturers appeared before
the special pure food board, and at which
n. T. Willis. a newspaper correspondent
alleges that Secretary Wilson made the
statement that the referee board was
named 10 conserve the interest Of the
manufacturers The accuracy Of Wllis's
memory was questioned by some members
Of the committee. and II was also pointed
out that even If the Secretary used the
words. IL did not mean that the manu-
facturers' interests were 10 he conserved
I'm any improper way.
Created for the Public, Too,
The board was created. as I understand
IT, to conserve both the interests Of the
manufacturer and the public" said Repre-
sentative Sloan. you seem 10 put an i'm
proper construction upon the remark Of
the Secretary"
The stenographic transcript OF the hear
ing. unrevised. reports the Secretary as
saving:
i want to say frankly 10 you gentlemen
that the referee board was organized and
put into action for the very purpose Of
conserving the interests Of the manufaCt-
urers, so you would have a safe hearing.
And that being the case, It IS the best the
government can do and when We get that
information from them what would you
have US do?"
Secretary Wilson Is TO he called by the
committee in the near future to explain
the construction that should he placed on
his words.
The revision notes show that safe hear
ing" was changed 10 read sane hearing
Representative Higgins asked for what
purpose the Remsen board purchased chif-
foniers.
Those were to III up the rooms occupied
by the persons upon whom the experiments
were being made" said Or. Remsen.
THE so-called poison squad"
THAT is most Objectionable name-a
most unjust term. II prejudges the whole
case. by using that word poison We
called them the experimental squad"