Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-04-22
PROMISES AID IN
OYSTER INDUSTRY
Head of U. S. Pure Food Board
to investigate Before Con-
demning Beds.
Lrrom : stnn corre.nondent.1


TRENTON, N. j., April 22.-There
will be no more condemnation of New
Jersey oysters without due and
careful investigation by the proper
authorities of the national govern
ment This is the assurance given
by Dr. Carl J.. Alsburg. successor to
DR.. Harvey Wiley as chief of the
national bureau of chemistry and in
charge of the Board of Food and
Drug Inspection. 1t came to Charles
r. Bacon, chief of the State bureau
of shell fisheries, from DR.. Alsburg,
whom the chief prevailed upon to at
tend the annual convention of the
National Association of Shellfsh
Commissioners, which begins in Nor
folk tomorrow. Mr.. Bacon recently
had an interview with DR.. Alsburg at
Washington and urged him in all
fairness to the immense shellhsh in
the problems involved close study
before giving sanction to any orders
that might require his approval. DR..
Aisburg said ne fully intended to
make the industry a study. and he
will confer with the biologists, health
officers, engineers and other experts
who gather at the sessions. of the
shellfish convention to discuss mat
tiers pertaining to the industry sA
In the interview Chief Bacon called
the attention of DIR. Alsburg to the
widespread injury done to New Jer-
sey's great oyster industry by the
-unfounded charges of unhealthfulness
of the product. 1t was pointed out
that in the protest to the order pro-
hibiting the shipment of fioated
oysters Professor Nelson, biologist Of
the agricultural experiment station
and one of the foremost authorities
on the biology of the oyster in the
world, had proved beyond any doubt
that the floating process is not an
adulteration and is not IN any man
ner harmful, but rather an aid to
digestion for those who prefer oys-
tiers of that character. Despite this
proof there had been continued eff
fort to shut out this particular kind
of New Jersey oysters and in one or
two instances seizures had been made
without due investigation. Other
great harm had been done by the
publication of sensational articles to
show that oysters are fed upon sew
age, while all the scientific authori-
ties agree that no such insinuation
can be sustained for moment, as
the food of the oyster is purely and
wholly vegetable, the micro orga nisms
which the sea contains in almost end
less number. DR. Alsburg was very
much interested and asked many
questions about the industry, declar-
ing at the close of the interview
that the bureau would not permit
any more unfounded and sensational
attacks upon the great industry
The New Jersey delegation left yes
terday for the convention at Norfolk,
and they viii be prepared to show
what New Jersey is doing for the in
dustry, which is not much compared
with the work Of other States. The
delegates are George A. Mott, Tuck
erton; Captain Stephen jefferson,
Dennisville; Captain Samuel NJ. Glib
erson, Absecon: Professor julius Mel
son, New Brunswick, who will pre-
sent paper on his investigations of
oyster spatting; William X. Deve-
reux. Asbury Park; Senator b. II.
White, Mt. Holly. and Chief Charles
r. Bacon. The latter will make an
address. The State Board of Health
will be represented by William H.
Chew. who has been in charge of the
oyster inspection division, and will
make an address on the work done
here: Dr. Fitzrandolph, the bac-
terlologist, who has made the investi-
cations of the oyster waters of the
State, and DR.. j. C. Price. Many
topics concerning the betterment of
the industry and plans for conser-
walton will be considered at the con-
vention