Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1914-10-22
DECEPTIVE GUARANTEES.

so fully occupied in accomplishing
the daily tasks and enjoying the many
diverting pleasures of existence, few
ever reflect that all ones activities
are dependent on the oxidation of
the food consumed at breakfast, din
ner and supper, and that the instant
one ceases to produce heat by reason
of this internal combustion, that in
slant one becomes a cold, dead body.
1t is a disturbing thought, anyway,
and quite generally we refuse to en-
terrain disturbing thoughts volun-
tarily.
Probably no better, no more vivid
illustration eof the Darwinian princi-
pies Of progress, of the survival of the
fittest, OF wisdom slowly and painfully
acquired and developing as the result
of bitter experience in repeatedly do
ing the wrong thing, can be found
than our growth in the knowledge of
dietetics. of the development Of the
science of eating to live.
Our primitive ancestors in their un-
ceasing and omnivorous search for
everything that would satisfy hunger
undoubtedly bit Off, chewed and en-
deavored to digest every berry, plant.
root or leaf that looked good to them
growing out Of doors within the range
Of their physical ability to cover in
the region in which they habitually
lived, and under stress of famine they
were forced to wide excursions. Those
that survived passed on to our age
an organization adapted to that par
ticular range Of diet. and humanity
thrives on the simple natural food to
which 1t was adjusted. But in the
highly artificial conditions incident
to civilization the habits developed by
this eager quest for anything that
would enable primitive men to sur
vive or that would add attractiveness
to their menu In times of plenty have
come down to us as instincts that
make us easy victims of ignorant or
INSCRIPTIONS manufacturers.
The United States department OF
agriculture, through its official week
ly news letter of May 20, 1914. gives
notice of decision signed May 5,
1914, by the secretaries of the treas
ury, agriculture and commerce. pro-
hibiting the use Of the legend, Guar
anteed under the food and drugs act"
on any label or package.
The date OF the new regulation will
not take effect until May /, 1916, in or
der to give manufacturers an opportu-
nifty to use up their present stocks
of labels. The reasons for this &C.
ton are, quoting the official letter:
1T has been determined that the
legend, Guaranteed under the food
and drugs act, June 80. 1906 and
guaranteed BY tname Of guarantor)
under the food and drugs act, June 30.
1906 borne on the labels or pack
ages Of food and drugs. accompanied
by serial numbers given by the secre-
tary OF agriculture, are each mislead
ing and deceptive, In that the public
is induced by such legends and se-
rial numbers to believe that the arti-
cles to which they relate have been
examined and approved by the gov
eminent, and that the government
guarantees that they comply with the
law, the use of either legend, or any
similar legend. on labels or packages
should be discontinued.
'Inasmuch as the acceptance by the
secretary Of agriculture for filing Of
the guarantees Of manufacturers and
dealers and the giving by him Of Sc
rial numbers thereto contribute to the
deceptive character of legends on Ia
bells and packages, no guaranty in any
form shall hereafter be filed with,
and no serial number shall hereafter
be given to any guaranty by the sec
rotary of agriculture. All guarantees
now on file with the secretary OF agri-
culture shall be stricken from the files.
and the serial numbers assigned to
such guarantees shall be cancelled"
The pure food law simply requires
that package shall be plainly Ia
beled stating the complete contents.
Obviously IL one does not know ones
needs the law is of but little person
al value. The appearance of the
guaranty and serial number on any
product has been of no material as
sistance to the government in detect
ing or prosecuting violations Of the
food and drugs act, nor has 1t pro
NOTED the manufacture and sale of
pure foods or drugs. Its presence on
an adulterated or misbranded product
does not enable the federal officers to
secure any heavier penalty for viola
lions than II the goods were not so
labeled, but 1t does make the decep-
ton Of the public more certain.
This action OF the department OF ag-
riculture win receive the hearty ap-
prevail of all who have any interest
in healthful foods because 1t forces
US to recognize the simple truth that
today, as always, the question OF a
food supply remains an individual!
proposition, and our Individual health
and happiness are IN exact measure
to the wisdom with which we meet the
issue.