, 1935-04-28
WASHINGTON
By George Durno

ny oG0AAC
Hoist Smooth and efficient
workmanship lies behind the killing
Of the Copeland pure food. drug
and cosmetic bill for a second con-
secutive session but the measures
opponents are beginning to wonder
whether they didn't shoot too hard
and fast.
In the existing law. which dates
back some Is years to the famous
DIR. Harvey w. Wiley, there Is q
provision which permits the gov
eminent to make multiple seizures
of a suspected food product, drug
or patent medicine. This has long
stuck in the craW of the trade be-
cause when 1t is thoroughly exer-
cISed, a firms business is well Grip
pied pending court decision on the
business Of the charge.
When Royal Copeland, Senator
doctor from New York, brought his
new bill up recently the opposition
idea was TO amend II so none OF
the Objectionable features OF the old
Wiley Act would be left, TO say
nothing of original New Deal ideas
for strengthening control over pat
ent foods and medicine that 90 into
your stomach and the paint that
goes on your face provided in the
last instance you are O. LADY,.
Shipping - Ser. Copeland brought
his bill up v~aliantly. explaining II
was a perfection of the one offered
last year that got voted down be-
cause It bore the earmark Of Under
secretary OF Agriculture Rex Tug
Wen-who stays in Ill favor in GER
tain quarters on Capitol Hill.
Then the Sniping started. Before
the bewildered senator-doctor could
catch his breath. amendments were
being offered right and left, and
some Of them passed the Senate.
Drugs had TO be "imminently dan
gerous TO health before liable TO
action. The Federal Trade Com
mission. rather than the Food and
Drug Administration. would pass on
false advertising in the future.
And-among o~therS-only one
shipment OF misbranded shipments
could be seized by the government
except on court order.
Ace-Officials who have been ad-
ministering the old Wiley law for
years went into a huddle when they
listened to the nature Of the amend
mentS to their new act and saw an
important one pass. a. to 90.
They decided discretion was the
better part Of valor. If the Cope
land bill stayed before the Senate
the most effective portions Of the
present law, as these officials see
them. would be wiped out.
Copeland. on advice Of counsel.
did a double quick retreat. His bill
is back on the calendar and will
never get 10 final action this ses-
sion. In the meantime multiple
seizure Is still the prerogative Of
the Food and Drug Administration
and presumably will be exercised
whenever those in charge decide the
consumer Is being gypped-
Whipsaw-There is talk in the
faStness OF Washington these eve
nings that what may appear TO be
an administration surrender to the
public utilities interests-if II oc-
curs-possibly will develop into a
deferred ~lackiacking.
II works this way: Terrific pres
sure is being exerted by powerful
influences to stop Congress from
passing the bill President Roosevelt
recommended which would legislate
utility holding companies out Of ex-
istence in five years. Latest infor-
nation being eased around Is that
the administration will take a COM
promise and accept a measure pro-
viding merely for federal regulation
Of the uper-stockholderS.
Now comes a suggestion that ever
should such q compromise pass,
there will be tax legislation Of sorts
before Congress finally adjourrns.
What could be simpler than to add
on To this one a schedule that would
have the effect Of taxing holding
companies out Of existence inside
OF the originally prescribed five
years?
EagIe-They do say that a new
NRA bill is being drafted for presen-
tation to the Senate when the time
seems propitious.
The one being subjected TO such
severe criticism bears the name Of
Senator Pat Harrison. chairman OF
the inquiring committee. 1t "a
introduced suddenly some days ago
70 meet what appeared to be a leg
iSlative crisis. There are those who
suspect and insist this first bill was
the handiwork Of Donald Richberg.
director Of the National Emergency
Council and real boss OF the be
| leaguered NRA
The new draft. IL Is reported. will
smooth out some Of the proposals
for federal supervision OF interstate
business now being most thoroughly
attacked.
But don't forget that tre White
House Is applying as much pressure
on Congress for extension OF NRA
as It did TO get the $3.50 900 900
work-relief act through. Compro-
mise being the law Of politics there
will be some. but II President Roose-
welt has his way. the Blue Eagle
will continue to flutter q wing.
OppoSition-"How's the voice cry
ing In the wilderneSs7" asked a
cabinet member. Of his colleague.
Secretary Wallace. Wallace smiled
YEARLY and didn't reply.
Lobbyists representing all kinds
OF business are throwing ScareS into
members Of Congress concerning
the wickedneSs Of AAA and the d.
abolical scheme Of Wallace 10 be-
come q Hitler Of agriculture and
food. wallace shrugs his shoulders
and asks. DO you want farmers 70
survive or not2"
Elisha Hanson. representing news
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