The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-06-15
WELSH BOY MAKING
GOOD IN MICHIGAN

a recent issue OF DdnS ny, MICH
igan, daily paper contains the follow
ing reference to Mr.. A. R. Todd,
former Welsh boy who is making
good with a vengeance:
(By Gurd NJ. Hayes
Few people of the state realize
what a very small part of their taxes
90 to the support of one of the best
equipped food and drug laboratories
in the United States, place where
$500 food, drugs, oil, local option bev-
erages and Geological specimens are
analysed annually; the food and oils
for their purity, local option bever-
ages for the presence of alcohol, and
Geological specimens for the presence
of pOiSOns.
The majority of samples analysed
at the state dairy and food depart
ment laboratory are those submitted
by the department Inspectors who
are continually travelling over the
state watching shipments of food
stuffS and rugs, as we'll as looking
after the general sanitary conditions
of places where foods are stored and
sold. Quite large number of sam
Piles of near-beer, wines, whiskss and
cider are submitted by Sheriffs and
prosecuting attorneys over the state
to determine whether the products
conform to the local option law. No
charge is made to the various coun-
ties for this work or for furnishing
expert testimony in case of prosecu-
ton.
The laboratories of the dairy and
food department are in charge of A.
R. Todd, graduate of Trinity, Val
paraiso university and the University
of Michigan and a commissioned
chemist IN the United States bureau
of chemistry. Shortly after complet-
ing a postgraduate course at the Unl-
versiiy of Michigan Todd entered the
dairy and food laboratory under Com
m 'SsiOner Dame. He was retained by
Commissioner Helme and was state
analyst about a year ago. He was re-
appointed by Dairy and Food Com
missioner Woodwork.
Like all scientific departments of
the STATE partisan politics plays no
part in the laboratory and men are
picked for their training and ability.
There are five such assistants. W.
c. Geagley is first assistant; F. c..
Casey is drug chemist, and M. Mosher
R. Hoare and S. Hauck are assistant
chemists. Each is qualified to anal
we and give expert testimony on the
different branches of chemistry.
When statewide prohibition goes
Into effect next year the matter Of
enforcement will rest largely with the
state dairy and food department and
the county authorities and It is pre-
dicted that the laboratory force will
be kept busy Analysing samples of
alleged temperance beverages.
The state dairy and food depart
ment laboratory analyses free of
charge any drug, '1od, oil or dairy
product for the presence of any adul-
teration for any citizen Of the state.
However, the stae laboratory does
not analyze a product for any person
who wishes to know the composition
IN order that he may manufacture
and exploit the preparation. q
During the last six months ihspec-
tors Of the department, based on the
analysis Of samples sent to the lab
oratOry, have seized and condemned
more than 100000 gallons of vinegar,
several tons Of frozen eggs valued at
thousands of dollars, several kegs of
olives, carload Of pimento shipped
from Spain and a great number of
other articles in smaller quantities..
Hundreds of samples of milk are
analysed for the presence of preserv-
atives and addition of water. Cream
has been found to contain cottonseed
! oil, butter to contain lard compound.
L'nseed oil ad turpentiaes have been
found to contain as high as 81 per
cent mineral oil. Maple syrup has
been found to contain brown sugar
and molasses, while sausage and ham,
burg steak in a number of cases did
not comply with the requirements of
the pure food laws.
In the drug department alleged
consumption cures have been found
that contained noting but salt, sugar
and water, or tar and water, and
other rmedies to be wholly devoid of
the curative properties claimed on
the label.
No food preparation is destroyed
when condemned by the Inspector i
it can be used for some purpose other
than the purpose intended. Frozen
eggs that are rotte nand unfit for hui
man food are denatured in the pres.
ence of the inspector with oil of tai
which gives them such an odor that
they could not possibly be used by ar
unscrupulous baker, but does not rem.
der them unfit for tanning purposes
Aside from making analysis the
chemists of the department, usually
assisted by the director, must give ex.
pert testimony in the various courts
of the state as to their findings. Very
few of the numerous cases prosecuted
are lost by the department.