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be most effectually prevented. Undoubtedly the Brosius Bill is an effort in this direction. But, permit me to say, although conceived in the right spirit, and framed with great sagacity and an uncommon knowledge of detail in many respects, it leaves room for improvements in some others; and it may be taken for granted that this Congress was called for the very purpose of perfecting the bill in the light of such experiences as the persons engaged in the manufacture of drugs, food and drink may, each from his point of view, throw upon the subject.

"Where so many desire and ought to be heard, common courtesy should dictate to every speaker the utmost brevity. I shall be as brief as possible. The Brosius bill goes too far in some respects, and not far enough in others. I leave it to the representatives of other industries to say as to whether the penalties for adulteration, when the effect is not only to deceive, but perhaps knowingly to injure the health of the consumer, should not be more severe, more justly fitted to the enormity of the offense. Let others say, too, whether section 7, authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture not only to prescribe how certain products shall be branded-which is perfectly proper-but also to designate the color or colors and shape of packages, labels, and wrappers containing the same-would not mean, as I honestly believe, an unwarrantable interference with the rights of manufacturers, who as a rule. use the color and shape of their packages, labels and wrappers as legitimate, and the only possible means of outwardly distinguishing their products from those of their trade competitorsOthers will probably ask whether the proposed system of safeguarding the purity of certain articles of consumption by certificates of registration, to be obtained from the Department, and of written guarantees, to be given by the manufacturer to the retailer, is absolutely necessary and if so, whether to be really effective, the pertinent provisions of the bill should not he made much more conprehensive in their scope, and purport. These and other minor defects will, in all likelihood, be pointed out by other delegates.

"I desire to confine myself briefly to what I conceive to be the most serious shortcoming of the bill, one which, if I construe correctly the sentiments predominating in industrial circles, must inevitably render the proposed measure, so excellent in its general features, very objectionable to a majority of the manufacturers of all kinds of food and drink. I refer to the question of standards. Section 7 reads: 'The Secretary of Agriculture may call upon the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists to determine the standard of any food product (within the meaning of this act) and when so determined it shall remain the standard before all courts.' Instead of according to this section a place of secondary importance in the scheme, the framer of the bill, should. in my humble judgment, have embodied it into the very first paragraph, and instead of leaving the whole question of standards of purity to the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture, he should have made the provisions of Section 8 mandatory. Every delegate present will doubtless agree with me that to the Secretary of Agriculture should be conceded every possible latitude of power and discretion in regard to the rules and regulations which are to govern the analysis of food, and drink; but concerning the standards of purity to which the manufacturers must of necessity conform, and which the courts shall maintain and uphold, the law should be direct, explicit and unequivocal.

"Before attempting to carry out the other provisions of the proposed act, the Department should be compelled to have standards of purity unalterably fixed by a competent body of professionals. In the logical sequence of things the fixing of standards must necessarily precede the analyses of food and drinks by the chief chemist of the Agricultural Department, otherwise there would be no sense whatever in determining such standards at any time.

"Herein lies the very quintessence of the proposed system in its entirety. The interests of both the producer and the consumer imperatively demand that in each separate case the standards of quality and purity should be fixed and clearly defined, to the end that no doubt whatsoever may arise as to what, under the law, shall be classed as an adulteration.

With this requirement the usefulness and practicability of the whole bill must stand or fall.

It is

"The definitions of the term adulteration, as formulated in Section 6, are good enough so far as they go; but they do not, and in the very nature of things, cannot go far enough in a draft of this character. not sufficient to say that any food or drink shall be deemed to be adulterated if any inferior substance has been substituted, or if any substance has been mixed with it so as to reduce or lower or injuriously affect its quality or strength.

"Opinions differ as to the relative nutritive value of many agricultural products, and the manufacturers of articles composed of two or more of these products cannot possibly know just what opinion the chemists of the Agricultural Department may entertain as to the effect of any of them upon the strength and quality of any compound article of consumption. The confectioner, for instance, would be clearly entitled to know whether beet sugar, or any saccharine substance derived from any other vegetable product is deemed inferior to cane sugar in such a sense as to make its use an adulteration under the act. Unless by a recognized standard this knowledge is imparted to him, how is he to judge whether his merchandise comes up to the standard which any of the Department chemists—and there will have to be many of them-may happen to have established for his own guidance? The standard for food and drink should be quite as clearly determined and fixed as the standard which, under the bill, is to apply to drugs. Unless this indispensable requirement can be attained, the whole scheme will be objectionable because it would lack the only conpensating feature that could reconcile both the consumer and the manufacturer with the necessity arising from the scheme, of creating a very large number of new federal offices, and inflicting upon all food manufacturers considerable burdens, whose weight would be out of all proportion to the benefits that can possibly be derived from so insufficient a measure. There is, however, another very important aspect of this question. The delegates to this meeting are aware of the constitutional provisions which limit the powers of Congress in this matter; they also know that the adulteration laws of the various states differ very materially; and they undoubtedly appreciate, as the brewers do, the necessity of an absolute uniformity of laws throughout the land. The establishment of standards by a competent federal commission would have the effect of removing all these impediments. In the interests of the industries in their own states the legislatures throughout the country would most assuredly adopt these standards, and should they hesitate, their industrial and commercial constituents would demand immediate action.

This being my firm conviction, I would propose to amend section 8 in such a way as to make its provisions mandatory. But I would go further. Chemists alone cannot establish the standards required; they need the assistance of the physiologist. The medical departments of the government could readily be called upon to assist in this work. I would go still one step further. In order to render the outcome of this all-important work as perfect as possible, the Standard Commission should hear and consult the duly accredited representatives of the manufacturers for whom it is intended to establish standards.

Amended in these particulars, section 8 would read as follows, (the original phraseology being retained as nearly as possible.), viz:

"It shall be the duty of the Secretary of Agriculture to call upon the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, and such officers, not less than five, as the President of the United States shall select from the medical departments of the Army or the Navy, and the U. S. Marine Hospital Service, and five chemists to be selected by the American Chemical Society, to determine, jointly, the standard of all food products, (within thə meaning of this act,) and when so determined such standards shall guide the chemists of the Department of Agriculture in the performance of the duties imposed upon them by this act, and shall remain the standards before all courts. It shall be the duty of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists and the medical officers before mentioned, to confer

with and consult the duly accredited representatives of all industries for whom standards shall be established under the provisions of this act." I have but one more statement to make with regard to another feature of the bill. The last proviso of paragraph 8, of section 6, by which the manufacturer would under certain circumstances have to be held liable for the adulteration of his product after it had passed from his place of business, into the hands of the retailer, cannot be justified from any conceivable point of view. Besides being illogical and unjust it is very much in the nature of a srong incentive to adulteration by dishonest retailers, and could easily be used by them, if they be maliciously inclined, or inspired by a fancied wrong or by other motives, to injure the manufacturer. It is to be hoped that this point will receive, either here, or in the Congress of the United States, that attention which it undoubtedly deserves.

Mr. Kline of Philadelphia addressed the Congress as follows:

ADDRESS OF MR. KLINE.

"The members of this Congress who are here representing the drug and pharmaceutical interests, in order to facilitate the work which they felt would come before this Congress, got together yesterday and held several meetings, and have all agreed upon what they would like to have in reference to legislation as proposed in this measure, if it is to come out of this Congress as receiving their endorsement. I take it that the object of this Congress is to provide in a measure, modifications and corrections of crudities and errors that are present in this bill, however carefully it may have been drawn. The attitude of the druggists, wholesale and retail, in coming to this Convention, I think I am justified in saying, was one of interrogation, as to whether it was possible, feasible or advisable for them to join in with some of the interests here in advocating the bill, drawn upon the lines in which it has been sent to us. I believe, however, that I can show as I go along, that they have agreed upon a method which I trust will commend itself to every member of this Congress. The first question that arose was as to legislation proposing to cover both food, drinks, and drugs. How far are the druggists and pharmacists ready and willing to go in the direction of placing under the jurisdiction of the Agricultural Department, and of agricultural chemists the control of drugs? The suggestions we make provide for that which will secure the benefit to be derived from the addition to agricultural chemists of pharmaceutical chemists. There is a hesitancy in accepting legislation of the Agricultural Department without some modification, and so, Mr. Chairman, in order to arrive at an understanding, which we believe, will greatly facilitate the consideration of this question so far as drugs are concerned, we would like to present these suggestions, and to get the sense of this meeting as to whether we will be permitted as a part of this body to urge these suggestions through the Legislative Committee to the Committee in Congress having the bill in charge. We have not the difficulty which the last speaker referred to, as you are well aware, of having no fixed standard. We have a fixed official standard, therefore we do not have that difficulty to deal with. We do have other difficulties to deal with which we think will be obviated if our suggestions are carried out."

Mr. Kline then submitted a series of amendments to the Brosius bill, which were generally discussed and some agreed to but, as will be shown later, the whole matter was referred to the Committee on Legislation. Dr. McMurtie offered a resolution (7) which was referred.

Mr. Redsecker moved that the Congress proceed to the consideration of the Brosius bill by sections.

Mr. Flanders of New York moved that the Congress re-consider the vote by which it was decided to consider the bill section by section, and refer it to the Committee on Legislation; which after considerable discussion was lost by a vote of sixty-nine to fifty.

The Recording Secretary read Section 1, of the Brosius Bill.

Mr. Kline of Philadelphia, on behalf of the drug interests offered sundry amendments.

Considerable discussion followed which was participated in by Messrs. Jewett, Larsen, Wardell, Martindale, Thompson, Sleeper, George, Gilbert Jordan, Caspari, Munroe, Eckels, and Prior.

After the first three sections of the bill had been read, on motion of Mr. Abbott, the bill and amendments were referred to the Committee on Legislation, and on motion of Mr Flanders of New York, the Committee was directed to give full and prompt hearings to all parties interested.

Resolutions were offered by Dr. McMurtrie and Mr. Kracke of New York, and also by Messrs. Camp, of Tennessee, Sleeper of Ohio, Miss Sickels of Illinois, and Mr. Flanders, of New York, which were referred. On motion the Congress adjourned, until 10 o'clock on Friday morning.

MORNING SESSION.

THIRD DAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 4th, 1898. The Congress met at 10 o'clock. President Blackburn announced that the Legislative Committee had not as yet finished its labors, and that while waiting for the committee to conclude its work, the Congress would proceed with the reports of other Committees.

Dr. Frear submitted the report of the Executive Committee as follows, and moved the adoption of the first three recommendations of the Committee:

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

1 It is advised that for the purpose of carrying into effect the recommendations of this meeting of the National Pure Food Congress, and for the further purpose of promoting uniformity of State food and drug legislation, the Executive Committee be authorized to call a meeting of the Congress when ever in their view it is expedient

2 That five hundred dollars be raised for the necessary expenses of the Committee in carrying into effect the wishes of the Congress.

3. That for this purpose the Committee be authorized to receive contributions from those present at this meeting and to call for such further contributions as may be necessary, from the bodies represented in the Congress.

4.

That the Congress inform the Committee of its wishes regarding the publication of the proceedings of this meeting.

Mr. Perky, of Massachusetts, offered a resolution reciting the need for more systematic education in the use of food and proposing that the Congress hold the next meeting in Omaha during the Trans-Mississippi and International Fair.

As the resolution did not directly affect finances, it was referred to the Committee on Resolutions.

The motion to adopt the first three recommendations of the Executive Committee was carried.

The other recommendation,

as to the publication of the proceedings

of this Congress, was referred to the Executive Committee with instructions to print and circulate the same.

J. W. Trammel of Florida, was placed on the Legislative Committee. Mrs. Marion A. McBride, Superintendent of the Domestic Science Department, National Womans' Christian Temperance Union, was next recognized, and spoke as follows:

Mr. President and Delegates:-I am very glad to speak again for a

moment on a question of such vital importance to the housekeeper, for, it is a home question, after all, this one of pure food. It appeals to every one; for the welfare of the family is the welfare of the state and nation You cannot succeed in this work without the intelligent co-operation of the housekeeper, and her guide is the label on the goods; she will buy the brand of goods made by a certain manufacturer when she has learned that a certain brand is good in quality and that the quality is maintained. It is to guard the housekeeper in her provision for the family that I am interested, and I wish to express the gratitude of thousands of housekeepers when I thank the food manufacturers for their action in this matter. It means protection, and the W. C. T. U. follows the guidance of the Department of Agriculture in the matter of foods, It is a source of great satisfaction to us that the officers of that department of government are such conscientious faithful men. We, as housekeepers, ask the fullest protection of the government in the matter of food materials. I can pledge you the fullest co-operation of the W. C. T. U., the largest organized body of women in the world, who will stand beside you in every effort to protect the manufacturer who produces goods pure and wholesome. As I have said before, the label is the only guide the housekeeper has, and I would ask the permanent committee on pure food to let me know whenever adulterated goods are crowding the markets, that I may warn our members. The housekeepers of America will stand by you in every honest effort for pure food, and you cannot succeed without them, for they are the buyers, and they seek to become intelligent buyers, through the assistance of the United States Department of Agriculture, which so clearly points the way; and where the government expert leads the W. C. T. U. women will follow.

I think it is important that candy be included with food, for the protection of children particularly, who should be as sure of the purity of a stick of candy sold for a penny as is the matinee girl" when she buys“ "French candy" made in Boston, served in a dainty box, adorned with ribbons and flowers; it is a call for home protection all along the line. I shall be glad to receive from any manufacturer reports of his own goods and any information he may have of imitations or adulterations, but that pass as standard goods. We most choose our food as we do our books, holding the author responsible. I thank you for all this work for pure food in the name of over one hundred thousand members of the W. C. T. U.

The Chair announced that the President of the United States would receive the Congress at 3 o'clock, and it was voted that the Cngoress meet at 2:30 o'clock and proceed to the White House in a body.

Mr. Alvord, Chairman of the Committee on resolutions, on behalf of the Committee, favorably reported the following resolutions:

RESOLVED, That the National Pure Food and Drug Congress assembled in the City of Washington, declares emphatically in favor of such National and State legislation as will require that all foods, drugs, and drinks sold or prepared for sale in any of the markets of this country, be so fully and distinctly marked as to make their character and quality known to the purchaser and consumer. The resolution was adopted.

With reference to the resolution introduced by Mr. Hamilton the report was as follows:

The Committee cordially endorses the principles and purposes of these preambles and the resolution attached, and believe that they reflect the sentiments of the Congress. But it is deemed unwise to take up a subject so broad at this stage of proceedings, and which would require considerable modification before action; it is consequently recommended that it be referred to the Executive Committee for its consideration and appropriate action.

Mr. Hamilton called for the reading of his resolutions and moved their adoption.

The resolutions were read and adopted as follows:

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