Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-21
TheBttsLcHcrBox
SIR

40 Issue with The Bee on DIR. whey.
NEW YORK, Aug. l6.-To the Editor OF
The Bee: I was interested in reading your
editorial on DR.. Wiley.
There seems to be an impression through
out the country that the resignation of DR..
Wiley from the bureau of chemistry would
annual the pure food law. II such suppo-
siton is correct, would not the same con-
ditions prevail II Or. Wiley should happen
to pass away? No one denies the fact that
DIR. Wiley has been very active since the
enactment OF the pure food and drug act.
He has, in most cases, however, acted
under instructions received from his SUI
perior. the honorable secretary of agricul-
ture and II the public we're so intimately
acquainted with DR.. wiley's qualifications
as lie the secretary of agriculture It would
clamor for DR.. wiley's resignation. II is
well-known fact that DR.. wileys views
on whisky. glucose, benzolc acid, etc, have
been reversed by his superiors These re-
verssls would not have been made II Or.
Wiley's conclusions were considered scien-
tific, neither would the referee board have
been appointed II DR.. Wiley's invest cations
had been conducted in a scientific manner.
The members OF the so called referee board
are recognized as the foremost scientists
in the United States, or one might say,
In the world.
The enforcement of the pure food and
drugs act has certainly accomplished
vast amount of good in compelling manu-
facturers to correctly label drug and food
products.
The bureau of chemistry should not,
however, be credited with all the good
work. There is a bureau in the Depart
ment of Agriculture that has accom-
plished a vast amount of good, and about
which little is heard. 1t is the bureau of
animal industry, the chief of which is DR..
A. d. Melvin. DIR. Melvin has been very
active and has accomplished a great deal
of good. In his annual report for 1910 ut
is shown that nearly 100000 animals were
condemned in whole or in part and in
addition there were condemned on rein
spectlon over 100000 pounds of meat and
meat products, which had become unwhole-
some since the inspection at time of
slaughter.
There is really no danger to health and
life from partaking Of adulterated condi-
ments, etc, and the bulk of food which
mankind consumes, such as bread, meat,
potatoes, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits,
nuts, ETC., never has been adulterated.
Fresh meat, however, is a product that
must be consumed before deterioration be-
gins.
The law compels the truthful labelling
of all foods and drugs when sold in pack
ages, containers. etc, and the meat in
spection law compels the proper stamping
of all inspected meats.
There is also a vast amount Of good being
done in protecting the public from impure
food in many of the cities.
The report of the department OF health
of New York City shows that during the
last year 2,140,S13 pounds of meat, fish,
poultry and game we're condemned. There
was also condemned during the same period
aOS7o,sH pounds of fruit and vegetables.
The foregoing clearly demonstrates that
the pure food law can be and is enforced
in many instances without the assistance
of DR.. Wiley and il he is compelled to
resign, the pure food law will continue 20
be enforced, irrespective of statements to-
the contrary. II. L. HARRIS.