OF THE NATIONAL PURE FOOD AND DRUG CONGRESS. Held In Columbian University Hall. Washington, D. C., March 2d to 5th, 1898. FIRST DAY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2nd. The Congress was called to order by Hon. Frank Hume, Chairman of the Local Call Committee, and President B. L. Whitman, of the Columbian University opened the Congress with prayer. Chairman Hume then addressed the Congress as follows: ADDRESS OF HON. FRANK HUME. Gentlemen:-As Chairman of the General Committee, on calling this Congress to order, it may not be out of place for me to state that the work which you are here to perform is of the greatest national importance. It ex tends beyond the nation, for it affects every people to whom we export our food and drugs. It may interest you to add that the bill which you will consider, H. R. No. 5441, known as the Brosius Bill, is in fact an evolution, that is, it is an improvement upon its predecessors, and that from the days of the 48th Congress, when Hon. Wharton J. Greene, of North Carolina, introduced & Pure Food Bill, each succeeding Congress has had before it for consideration, a bill of this character. During the hotly contested fight for pure lard in which the manufacturers of that article waged a bitter warfare against the compounders of stearine, cotton seed oil, and kettle rendered hogs lard, calling the product pure refined lard, a bill was prepared and introduced in the House of Representatives by Hon. W. H. F. Lee of Virginia, which for the first time provided for the control of food and drug products by the Department of Agriculture. This bill was sent to the House Committee on Agriculture and referred to a sub-committee of which the late Hon. Jas. Laird of Nebraska was Chairman. Mr. Laird made a careful study of the question and his report on the subject is a monument to his memory. He presented a substitute for the Lee Bill which was endorsed by the Committee and reported favorably to the House. A similar bill was introduced into the Senate by Senator Chas. J. Faulkner, of West Virginia, whose able championship had previously secured the passage of a Pure Food Bill for the District of Columbia. His bill went to the Committee on Agriculture of the Senate but was not acted upon by that body. In In the 51st Congress, Mr. Allen introduced the Laird Bill with some amendments in the House and it was favorably reported to that body. Senator Faulkner introduced his bill in the Senate, and again it went to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, of which the late Senator Paddock was then Chairman. It now fell into the hands of one of its warmest friends and one who proved himself its earnest champion. the 51st Congress, however, the Sherman-Edmonds Export Meat Inspection Bill and the Vest-Hatch Interstate Meat Inspection Bill passed, and it became necessary to eliminate from the pure food bill all that related to the inspection of animals and meat, and Senator Paddock reported the bill thus amended and it became the Paddock bill but was never voted on. In the 52d Congress, Senator Paddock introduced an improved Bill and it went into the Senate and before the country as the Paddock Bill, Senate No. 1. It passed at an early date during the first session and went to the Agriculture Committee of the House, of which Col. Hatch was Chairman, from which it was promptly reported favorably and went upon the calendar: but it did not come to a vote. The friends of this measure became somewhat discouraged and practically nothing has been done during the past four years to secure the desired legislation. The developments during that time have created a more pronounced interest in the quality of the food offered in our mar kets, and there is now a decided demand that an honest man shall have an untainted field in which to do an honest business, and that this great country take its proper place among civilized nations and citizens, as well as its hogs and cattle against disease. protect its The Paddock Bill has run the gauntlet of criticism of some of the greatest lawyers that ever sat in Congress. Among them are Edmonds, George, and Paddock in the Senate, Hatch, Brosius and others in the House, and there need be no fear of the action of the courts upon the constitutionality of the measure you are here to consider and discuss. The bill before you is up to date and while it may not be all we might desire, yet it is a step in the right direction and will accomplish great good to all classes of our people. The passage of this bill if properly brought to the attention of Congress is an assured fact, if you gentlemen unite in its endorsement; and upon your wisdom and discretion depends largely this important measure in the interest of health, morals and business. On behalf of the Call Committee, I thank each and every one of you for responding so heartily to the invitation to aid in promoting one of the most important hills now before the Congress. Its enactment into law will not only be a benefit to food consumers in our own country but also inspire confidence in our food exports to foreign countries. I now take pleasure in introducing Hon. Matthew Trimble, Assessor of the District of Columbia, who will read the call for this meeting: (Mr. Trimble then read the call for the Congress as follows:) THE CALL. The question of the character of the Food, Drink and Drugs consumed by a people is unquestionably one of the most important that can be discussed by them. Adulteration, misbranding, sophistication, substitution and imitation undoubtedly exist to an alarming extent, to the detriment of health, legitimate business, and sound morals, and it becomes needful to secure legislation that will check this growing evil and permit an honest man to do an honest business. EXTENT OF ADULTERATION. The extent of adulteration can only be estimated by the number of industries engaged in producing food, drugs, and liquors, for no sooner does a legitimate business succeed than illegitimate imitators follow in its wake. These unfair practices have become so general that remedial legislation is demanded to protect the health, morals, and business interests of the people. Our foreign trade is threatened, and unless the evil practice is checked every honest man will be compelled to quit business. Many of the States have good laws which cannot be enforced, owing to the "Original Package" decision of the Supreme Court, which prevents the several States from effectually controlling this matter-hence it becomes necessary to enact a Federal Statute to prevent the Inter-State Traffic in such commodities. House Bill No. 5441, introduced by Hon. Mariott Brosius, of Pennsylvania, is now soon to be considered by the Committee of the House. As there are divergent views as to some minor points of this measure, which should be reconciled by a consultation of the interested parties, and believing that it is the desire of the great mass of manufacturers, producers and consumers to reconcile all such differences and to unite in urging the adoption of a PURE FOOD LAW by Congress, so as to sustain the good name of the Nation, and preserve the health and integrity of our people: THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby Call A PURE FOOD AND DRUG CONGRESS to assemble in the city of Washington, D. C., at the National Hotel, at twelve (12) o'clock M., on Wednesday, the Second (2nd) day of March, 1898, and hereby fix the apportionment of Representation as follows: The following apportionment of delegates is made so as to embrace as far as possible every interest involved in the production, manufacture, and sale of food, drugs and liquor products-in proportion to the numbers engaged therein. It embraces the Scientists and Health Departments as well as those who have charge of local laws in the various States and Territories. APPORTIONMENT OF DELEGATES. The Governors of each State and Territory are requested to appoint ten (10) delegates, distributed as follows: Agriculturists, 4; Pharmacists, 2; Wholesale Grocers, 1; Retail Grocers, 1; Food Manufacturers, 1; Proprietary Manufacturers, 1; 10. Agricultural Department-the Secretary of Agriculture, and five (5) delegates to be appointed by him. The Internal Revenue Department-The Commissioner and five (5) delegates to be appointed by him. The Surgeon General of the Army and five (5) delegates to be appointe: by him. The Surgeon General of the Navy, and five (5) delegates to be appointed by him. The Surgeon-General of the Marine Hospital Service and five (5) delegates to be appointed by him. The Fish Commissioner and five (5) delegates to be appointed by him. BOARDS OF HEALTH. State Boards of Health, 3; Boards of Health of Cities from 20,000 to 100,000, 1; Boards of Health of Cities from 100,000 to 500,000, 2; Boards of Health of Cities of 500,000 and upwards, 3. BOARDS OF TRADE AND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. Cities of from 20,000 to 100,000, 1; Cities of from 200,000 to 500,000, 2; Cities of 500,000 and upwards, 3. AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS. The National Grange, P. of H., 5; Each State Grange, 2; The National Farmers' Alliance, 5; Each State Alliance, 2; The National Farmers' Congress, 5; National Horticultural Society, 3; State Horticultural Societies, 1; National Dairy Association, 5; State Dairy Association, 1; National Bee Keepers' Association, 3; State Bee Keepers' Association, 1. OFFICIAL ORGANIZATIONS, ETC. Each State Agricultural Department, 2; Each State Food and Dairy Commission, 2; Each Experiment Station, 2; Each Official Agricultural Chemist, 1; Each Agricultural College, 1; National Pure Food Association, 5; Each State Pure Food Association, 2; Each State Board of Pharmacy, 1. SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL. American Chemical Society, 5; State Chemical Societies, 1; National Medical Society, 5; State Medical Societies, 2; Local Medical Societies in Cities of 10 to 100,000, 1; 100,000 to 500,000, 2; 500,000 and upwards, 3; American Pharmaceutical Association, 5; State Pharmaceutical Associations, 1; Separate Organizations in Cities, 1. TRADE ORGANIZATIONS. Bakers' National Association, 3; Bakers' State Associations, 1; Bee Keepers' Union, 3; Cider and Vinegar National Association, 3; Cider and Vinegar State Associations, 1; Confectioners' Association, (National), 3; Confectioners' Association (State), 1; Dairy National Union Association, 5; Dairy Union, State Associations, 1; Druggists Wholesale National Association, 3; Druggists Wholesale State Associations, 1; Grocers' National Wholesale Associations, 1;State Grocers' Wholesale,2; Cheese Mfg.National Association, 3; Cheese Mfg. State Association, 1; Grocers' National Retailers, 3; Grocers' State Retailers, 1. Brewers' National Association, 3; Brewers' State Association, 1; Liquor Dealers' National Association, 3; Liquor Dealers' State Association, 1; Vintners' National Association, 3; Vintners' State Association, 1; Millers' National Association, 5; Millers' State Association, 1; Proprietary Association, National, 5. By order of the Committee, Frank Hume, Chairman. J. D. Hird. Matthew Trimble, 1st. Vice-Pres't. Washington, D. C., Jan. 18, 1898. Chairman Hume then introduced Commissioner Ross, President of the Board of District Commissioners, who delivered the following address: ADDRESS OF COMMISSIONER JOHN W. ROSS. Gentlemen: There cannot be a more laudable purpose affecting the material interests of the people than that which has brought togethe to-day at the National Capital these representative citizens of the United States. The fact seems to be well established that large quantities of commodities which constitute the food supply of our people are not what they purport to be. Many are deemed dangerous to the health of the consumer, and very many are fraudulent. The effect upon the public health of the sale of such products would not be so injurious if the public could have full knowledge of the ingredients which actually enter into the manufacture of the food offered for sale. But the average housewife has not the means of ascertaining accurately what dangerous component may have been used in the manufacture of the food which she prepares for her family,-the physician cannot always detect the adulteration of the drug which he prescribes in his practice. It would seem, therefore, to be the plain duty of the Federal Government to provide a statute, which may be operative in this District and in the territories of the United States, and which may also properly regulate, under the Constitutional provision, the commerce between the States in any adulterated or imitated drug or food product. It is, at common law, an indictable offense to prepare food for human beings containing unwholesome constituents, or to knowingly sell food unfit for consumption; but, for effective results, a statute is needed to prescribe rules of evidence and mode of obtaining evidence, and to place upon some national authority the duty of detecting the crime and of prosecuting the criminal. In the preparation of such a statute, while taking every precaution to protect the interests of the public, care should be had to avoid unnecessary annoyance to legitimate manufacturers, who may be fully mindful of the reponsibility owed by them to the public. The effect of impure food upon the young is especially to be deprecated. Many of the confections, which are so tempting to all of tender age, are said to be dangerous to their health; the milk upon which they subsist is often sold in an impure or in an unnutritious condition. A bill to prevent the sale of adulterated candy in the District of Columbia was recently prepared by the Health Officer of the District, and has been passed by the House of Representatives. An act of Congress which had the sanction of the Medical Association of the District, relating to the adulteration of foods and drugs in the District of Columbia, which it is believed will tend to improve existing conditions in this jurisdiction, was approved by the President February 17, 1898. It is not my purpose to detain you by any detailed discussion of this important subject matter. That may well be left to the many eminent delegates to your convention, who have given close attention to the existing evils, and to the best available remedies therefor. I assure you that the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, the Health Officer, the Medical Society of the District, the Druggists of the District, the Washington Board of Trade, and our influential press, are all heartily in sympathy with you in this good work. We appreciate the honor conferred upon our city by your selection of it as your place of assemblage. You have chosen wisely. The promoter of a good and laudable cause in such a convention, as this is, at the National Capital not only has as an immediate audience a community which is second to none other in the Union in intelligence, in progressiveness, and in public spirit, but he is also in close communication with the entire people of the Republic, through their Senators and Representatives in the Congress of the United States. In the name of the people of the District of Columbia, I bid you welcome to this Federal jurisdiction. May your deliberations be harmonious and fraught with beneficent results to the homes of our beloved country; and may you, from the scenes and associations which remind you of the wisdom and heroism of the men who founded the Republic, return to thǝ various States in which you reside with renewed fealty to the Federa Government and to the free institutions which are your heritage.) At the conclusion of Mr. Ross's address, Mr. Hume placed in nomination for Temporary Chairman,Hon. J. H. Brigham, of Ohio,Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, who was unanimously elected. Col. Brigham, on taking the Chair, said: "Ladies and Gentlemen: I am pleased to see on this occasion such a large attendance of men who are here for a wise purpose. When I consented to act as temporary Chairman and open the business of the Congress, I did it with the understanding that no speech would be expected from me. You have listened to some addresses, and the ground that I might have covered has already been gone over. I will now simply say that so far as the Department of Agriculture is concerned, when you have determined the line of work which you desire to institute and carry forward, the Department will be glad to co-operate earnestly with you in the effort to protect the honest producer and the innocent consumer.” "I take pleasure in introducing Hon. Marriott Brosius,of Pennsylvania.” ADDRESS OF HON. MARRIOT BROSIUS, OF PENNSYLVANIA. Mr. President and Gentlemen:-It gives me no common satisfaction to see so large an assembly of the representatives of the people from all parts of this great country in session to consider a subject of immediate and pressing interest to every American citizen. It is an additional solace to observe how calm and serene you are in an atmosphere charged with the spirit of war. The war that invites our devotion and patriotism just now is the war upon impure food. In this holy war every man shall put on his armor and keep it on until we make merry music at the funeral and dance on the grave of the last food pirate in the land. It was the thought of Ruskin that the greatest thing a human soul ever does is to see something wrong and to say a plain brave word to right it. For some years I have observed the growth of one of the crying evils of our age-"food adulteration." I do not know that any higher mission lays its command upon us than to promote in all suitable ways the cure of this terrible malady. That we have permitted it to continue its ravages so long suggests a variety of reflections. Did it ever occur to you, my friends, what a peculiar people we areMan is not only a bundle of habits but of inconsistencies and idiosyncracies as well. The parts of his character are in a state of chronic war among themselves. Is it any wonder that no one has ever given a suitable definition of man? It has been oft attempted but always failed. Bryant somewhere alludes to some of the attempts which came to naught. He said some define man as a talking animal, overlooking poor Poll which sometimes talks very much. Some have defined him as a laughing animal, forgetting the laughing hyena; others as the animal that cooks its food, not thinking of the traditional monkey that used the cat's paw to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. Seeking thoughtfully for a definition drawn from a wide generalization, I have come to the deliberate conclusion that the only definition which sufficiently determinates and distinguishes man from all known animals is this, "An animal that adulterates and sometimes poisons its own food and drink." (Applause.) These general reflections are only suitable to this occasion because they explain the dark mystery, the puzzling paradox which brings us together to-day, that human beings of intelligence, of the Anglo-Saxon race with a thousand years of experience in government, in obedience to law and order and protection to health, have been unable to guard against the abasement, corruption and actual poisoning of the people's food and drink. Now my friends, what is the situation? Let us understand it and face it. We are over seventy million of the noblest people the sun in his circuit sees, with a consuming capacity equal to seven hundred millions of the average of the remaining people on the earth. Our annual food bill cannot be less than five billion dollars, and most of this food we produce |