Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-01-23
WHAT STATE PURE FOOD
DEPARTMENT IS DOING
Annual Report Of Commissioner Wallis ReciteS
Benefites the State is Deriving as Result
Of Our Pure Food and Sanitary Laws.

From the annual report of the
pure food and sanitary department
which was recently filed with the
governor, we publish the following
extracts:
The last legislature greatly in
creased the duties Of this depart
ment by imposing on us the enforce
ment Of the new weights and meas
ures law, the barber shop inspection
law, the Babcock test law and the
pure ice and water law. All this
has added greatly to our work, yet
it has been accomplished with but
little added cost to the state. How
ever, this increased work should be
given a relative value in the reduc-
ing of the cost of operation, which
in figures would show decided re-
duction when compared with the
work Of former years.
In addition to the regular inspec-
ton work performed we have done
much i'll an educational way, by is
suing bulletins and conducting per-
sonal correspondence with merchants
manufacturers and individuals. We
also prepared an extensive exhibit
for the state fair at Boise, showing
in detail the purpose of the depart
ment, and the effect of our work
for clean, pure products and better
sanitary conditions. THE exhibit
proved to be very interesting to the
public. Since that time we have
had numerous requests from all
parts OF the state to take our ex-
hibit to county fairs and public
gatherings, and as a result of this
interest shown by the people in our
work we are spending considerable
time ard money in preparing per-
manent exhibit that can be taken
into different parts of the state for
the benefit of the public. This ex-
hibit is now located in one of the
rooms pf our Office and is open to
the general public.
In comparing the receipts of the
department for this year with those
of 1912, would call your attention
to the fact that the license fees
have been materially increased,
which Is, no doubt, due to more sys-
tematit and closer inspection work,
as our experience shows that many
establishments fail to send in their
license money, preferring to wait
until the inspector calls for it.
The reduction in the amount of
fines collected is due to the inn
proved conditions and stricter OBJ
servance of the law. Where we
met defiance and opposition, before,
we now have hearty cooperation.
The business interests and the peo-
generally have become more famil-
lar with the law governing their re.
spective places of business, and
have learned that these laws are go
ing to be enforced, The result Ii
we have better conditions, more
wholesome regard for the law and {
spirit of competition among th'
merchants and others that his plac,
must DE in just a little better con
dition than his neighbor's.
This spirit of cooperation practi
cally places this department in tn,
line Of educators, as our merchants
manufacturers and the public gen
orally write us for advice wheneve
they are in doubt as to the prope
course to pursue, and freely submi
samples of suspected goods for anal
ses, e determine their quality. an
very willingly comply with the de
cisiona made as result of such co
operation.
From comparative viewpoint W
have done nearly twice the amour
of work done heretofore and a
much less cost.
In addition to our regular wor
we have rendered much assistanc
to the state humane society in Ii
enforcement OF its most exceller
laws. many complaints being refe
red TO rs for investigation, whic
this society could not Investigate
due 10 lack Of funds for expenses i
cideut TO such work. This servil
Is rendered in connection with on