The Washington times., 1913-08-04
RIGID ENFORCEMENT
OF HEALTH LAWS
Department Of Agriculture Is
Using Every Means to Pro-
tect Consumers.

Evidence is multiplying that the De-
rartment Of Agriculture is beginning to
bear down on the enforcement of laws
designed by Congress for the protec-
ton Of the public shealth- Secretary
Houston has been proceeding quietly
since he took charge of the depart
ment and without much flourish OF
trumphets. But there are distinct indi-
cations he is bent on a stricter enforce
ment of the pure food law, the meat in
spection law and the insecticide act,
measures all In the interest of the
health and comfort of the public.
In the regime Of Secretary Wilson,
the criticism for failure to enforce
these laws as strictly as the public well
fare demanded became intense. Dis
satisfaction was pronounced. Secre-
tary Houston came into office knowing
these facts and II would therefore be
surprising IL he did not take steps to
tighten up the enforcement of them.
1t is believed that what he has done
thus far is only preliminary and that
If he remains in office through this Ad-
minIstration he will have accomplished
some of the symptoms of desire to give
the public greater protection are in
teresting. . .e.-
Publicity Is Weapn. i
Not the least important of these Is
the disposition OF the department to
take advantage more than ever of pub
Iicity as weapon to prevent violations
of law. As yet the possibilities of II
are only slimly realized.
However. the department is going to
greater lengths than before in use of
publicity as a club over the heads of the
Lit hrtN Nrao Of
the policy of the department has come
Up in three cases under the insecticide
act In these cases the Levy Chemical
Company, of New York, pleaded guilty
to misbranding a moth compound.
The court suspended sentence in two
of the cases and imposed a fine of s25
In the other. This punishment was not
severe, il is obvious, but the Department
of Agriculture followed IL UP by issuing
notice that 1t had punished and caused
to be circulated 1000 copies of the
notices of Judgment in these cases, and
wives.
In announcing this policy. the depart
ment said:
In this way also It hopes to deter
other manufacturers from shipping in
interstate commerce similar products
falsely labeled or branded as to ingred-
tents, efficacy, and contents of the pack
age"
Advertise Delinquencies.
This is taken to indicate that Secre-
tary Houston and his subordinates are
going to 4 greater extent than ever te-
fore to advertise the delInquencies of
To a manufacturer or
concern handling food products or in
secticides this method of seeking to
bring about law enforcement is more
irastic than punishment by the courts.
The department is proceeding on the
same lines as in the case Of the chem
cal company already mentioned in
1ther instances. Wide publicity is
given to the fact that certain spice
are mixing worthless
Bombay mace with Batavia spice
mace. This results from a recent in
iestigation.
The department also, as illustrating
nent today of a notice of judgment
n the case OF the United States VS..
scudder Syrup Company, tried in the
Northern Illinois district. In this
,ase, Judge A. Z. Anderson made the
important ruling that shrinkage of
yrup was no defense.
Cans Short Six Per Cent.
The cans were short about per cent
md the excuse given was that the !
jyrup was put in the cans heated and |
shrunk some. The court
leld a quart meant a quart, and the !
company should have put in enough
10 there would still be a fun quart
blowing for shrinkage. The jury re- |
urned a verdict OF guilty and the |
Ourt imposed a fine OF $50 and costs. !
Officials of the department believe |
heir policy is going to be to de-
rease law violations. Strangely |
though this plan is being |
ried as to the pure food and insecti- |
ide laws, il Is not tried in enforcing !
he meat inspection law. The general |
policy as to the meat inspection law |
las been one of secrecy. However, /
ccretary Houston is having trained |
Xperts look into conditions of meat |
Inspection law enforcement and i'm |
in that field are expected. !