The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-05-15

| it is unnecessary to say to the people
OF Florida that these revenues are de-
pendent entirely upon the efforts of
the state chemist and the inspectors
| under the fecdstuff and fertilizer laws,
in no manner connected with the pure
food law: that does not produce a
revenue but is an expense added to
OF her citizens.
The revenues are not collected by the
agricultural department. but by the
state treasurer, upon whose order the
commissioner sends out the stamps, a
simple clerical duty involving no ad-
ministrative function.
May ask that you also publish this
letter and copy of my letter to the
senate committee. read by myself in
the presence of. and not disputed by,
the commissioner of agriculture.
r. E. ROSE,
State Chemist.
May 8, 1913.
Hon, W. H. Malone. Chairman Senate
Committee on Public Health. ITALIA
hassee. Fla.
Dear Sir: I have the honor to sub
init the following documents and au-
thorities for respectfully protesting
against the passage of committe sub
stitue for senate bill No. SO:
First. The bill was prepared at the
suggestion of the orga nized trade
bodies of the state, submitted to them
at a general meeting called by the Of
f1cers of the various trade associations,
and after full discussion. was ap-
proved. and was directed to have the
same introduced into both houses Nu-
-nerous letters and telegra ms from the
officers of said trade associations, rep
resenting the organized wholesale and
retail merchants, 1obbers and dealers
In foods and drugs in Florida, together
with letters and kilograms from fndi-
viduals confirm this assertion.
Senate bill No. 80 was prepared af-
ter consultation with the Hon. W. A.
McRae, and with his full approval. this
consultation being had with the Hon.
ida trade. and myself. 4 copy Of the
bill. when perfected. was given to Mr..
McRae before it's introduction.
The effort to change tire administra-
ton of affairs of the chemical division
was made subsequent to it's introduce
ticn, and for the evident purpose of
charging the chemical division with
expenses now provided for in the gen
eralappropriatio bill for the agricul-
tural department.
The present status of the chemical
division has not changed during the
past twelve years. nor does senate bill
10. 80 make any changes therein, nor
in any way infringe upon the authority.
dignity, nor prerogative of the COM
missioner of agriculture. See exhibit
No. Z. The changes and their effect
are noted in exhibit No. 6.
7 submit a copy of the present pure
food law with amended sections mark
ed. Also copy of senate bill 80 (house
bill 1872.
I also submit full text of decisions
No. 112 and 113 of the United States
supreme court. October term 1912 in
reference to the shipment in interstate
commerce, goods approved by the ma
tional authorities.
I would respectfully call Your atten-
ton to the eighth clause of section
of the present law which prohibits the
use of ANY chemical preservative or
anti-fernent," which clause, if strictly
enforced, would prevent the use of
sugar, salt, or vinegar, all Of which
are chemical personalities" and anti
ferments," and would suggest that in
case your committee desires to pro-
hibit the use of the articles enumer-
ated, that an amendment to senate bill
50 he made as outlined in the enclosed
exhibit No. ). which il constitutional
under the WISCONSIN decision would
prohibit the use Of the articles men
toned. The effect. however, would be-
in my judgment, the Introduction IN
interstate commerce of the prohibited
articles direct to the consumer, to the
serious damage of the merchants and
dealers of Florida
I also attach a pamphlet on Chem
ical Preservatives' written by myself
The opinions thus expressed are the
same as now held by myself. While
further investigation and information
strengthen me in the opinion that the
material is useless and unnecessary
and that some excellent goods contain
benzoates, their presence indicates gem
orally the use of inferior material, or
unsanitary factory conditions.
Trusting that the committee and the
legislature will enact law that vii,
protect the citizens Of the state from
poisonous or other deleterious ingre-
dents which may render such articles
injurious to health and that a well
organized and efficient chemical di-
vision" the result of twelve years of
constant growth, under the present or
ganiZation, will not be destroyed or
changed. it's actual necessary funds
depleted, and unnecessary expense
added thereto in the sum OF $4,000
for clerks and inspectors not required