New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-18
PURE FOOD CASES LOST
Dr.. Wiley Says His Colleagues
Dropped Prosecutions.
CORN SYRUP ONLY GLUCOSE
Cabinet Board Reversed Deci-
sion as to Labelling of
That Product.
IErnr, The Tribune Bureau. |


Washington Aug 17.-Amplifying his
testimony that his alleged antagonists on
the board OF food and drug inspection OF
the Department Of Agriculture had aban-
doned prosecutions in many cases in which
convictions might have been obtained, Or.
Harvey W. Wiley. CHIEF Il the Bureau OF
Chemistry. continued his testimony to-day
before the House committee investigating
the Wiley controversy in the department.
DR. Wiley furnished another near sensa-
ton when he testified that the opinion ot
the Bureau Of Chemistry regarding labelling
glucose as corr syrup" had been sup
pressed and the three members Of the
Cabinet. Messrs. Corteyou. S;raus and
Wilson. vested with final jurisdiction in
such questions promulgated directly con-
trary ruling
The board of food and drug inspection.
said Or. Wiley. found that corn syrup
was an illegal label on glucose, and this
opinion was approved by Secretary Wilson
The opinion went to the printing office and
a proof was struck off. Jut meanwhile the
Corn Products company got very busy
The decision as finally promulgated by the
three secretaries Of Agriculture Commerce
and Labor and the Treasury vas directly
contrary 10 the boards findings. and glucose
may be labelled corn syrup to-day without
recourse by the Bureau Of Chemistry.
Or. Wiley charged that the Corn Prod
ucts company had sought affidavts from
many chemists 70 show that corn syrup
was proper tern FOR glucose. In one in
stance. alleged the chief chemist, ii had
offered a chemist money FOR such an
opinion.
When I learned this said In. Wiley.
II wrote 10 all the state chemists in the
country who are charged with enforcing
pure food laws. and put It Up TO them To
say whether this was proper label Every
one answered in the negative. and they
were not offered any money .by me or any
one"
At the time the glucose opinion was pro-
n1ulgated Secretaries Wilson. CortelyOu and
Straus composed the special board. or
court OF last resort having jurisdiction
over pure food and drug matters.
Or. Wiley. who was again heard by a
sympathetic audience adhered to his for
mer statement. that his work az chief
chemist had been hampered by Or. Dunlap
and Solicitor McCabe. the other two menu
bers OF the food and drug inspection board
They ordered the abandonment OF many
cases prepared for prosecution by the
Bureau OF Chemistry" said The pure food
expert Some OF these cases were exactly
similar to those on which We had obtained
convictions"
DR.. Wiley was asked If Secretary Wilson
had attempted to place any restrictions on
Id Haf Taa 1fup
with pure food and chemical questions.
NO" answered Or. Wiley: the only in
junction on me was that I should not speak
on food adulteration questions still unde-
cided by the referee board"
The committee and the audience laughed
when Or Wiley was requested 10 testify
as To the standing OF the members OF the
referee board.
They all stood very higL before they
rendered their recent benzoate OF soda de-
cisions." said DR.. Wiley.
II don't think they stand so high now"
he ADDED. grimy
They stand high with those who agree
with their findings suggested Representa-
tive French, OF Idaho.
Yes they stand very well with the food
adulterators." replied DR. Wiley.
Dr. Wiley said he did not question their
honesty but he pointed out that they did
not make the Investigations themselves. lie
said he had not felt free TO discuss cases
with Secretary Wilson since the board Of
food and drug inspection was created. but
had no doubt Of the Secretary's honesty and
zeal
II am not seeking vindcation." asserted
Or WILEY He said he had not asked 20
be heard before the committee. and reiter-
ated his derial of an alleged Illegal ar
rangement with Or. Rusty. saying ne had
no knowledge Of it and had approved no
agreement
Dr. Wiley said several cases have been
pending IN the board Of food and drug in
spection for some time without being voted
on one Of them-the question " soft drinks
at soda fountains-for two years. Some
Of these drinks, said Or. Wiley. contain
caffeine
~ believe there is nothing worse 10 the
health Of child than to dose IL with caf-
feline. and this is done by one OF the soda
fountain drinks"
Or Wiley said he had testified in the In
diana case.sas 90 the facts Of his poison
squad experiments with benzoate Of soda.
TIE bulletin Of my expcrimert IS and find
ings IS out Of print" added DR. Wiley. on
ly one thousand copies were printed. and
thoy cannot be had FOR love or money
The committee adjourned until 10 a m
tomorrow. when Dr Wiley will resume his
testimony.