58 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



MANUFACTURERS, JOBBERS AND DEALERS VIGILANT. 



Never in the history of any State have merchants taken a more active and 

 earnest part in proposed pure food legislation than that which was witnessed 

 at Harrisburg last Winter when the Tustin Pure Food bill was pending. 

 Hundreds of the leading jobbers as well as manufacturers visited the State 

 Capitol, to appear before the several committees to present their views and to 

 convince those in authority that they were favorable to banishing impure and 

 harmful geods from the markets of Pennsylvania. 



These vigilant merchants came from necessity and self-interest, but they stood 

 togethei as a unit in demanding legislation that was fair and equitable to all 

 legitimate business interests. Their protective movement resulted successfully, 

 although there are those who are of the opinion that some of the provisions oi 

 the present law may at a later period be declared unconstitutional. 



Good and effective laws are of the greatest importance to the public; they 

 should not be formulated hurriedly nor should they be the work of professional 

 sensationalists. It is the individual who has a ripe business experience, v.'ho 

 stands well in his community and who has due regard for proper and legal 

 principles whose advice will be helpful in framing' proper legislation. 



We cannot do otherwise than commend these representatives of the various 

 trade interest for their zeal and activity displayed, which again verified the 

 adage that "in unity there is strength." 



CONTINUED WARFARE AGAINST ADULTERATION. 



That the criminal practice of polluting and adulterating the food used by 

 the American people had assumed such gigantic proportions as to embrace 

 almost 90 per cent, of the food, drinks and drugs used in the United States, is an 

 uncontradicted fact. Public analysts will bear out the veracity of the statement. 

 This same condition prevailed in Pennsylvania, hence the drastic legislation 

 that was passed in 1895. The Congressional action only followed after the work 

 that was done in this State had borne fruit, as it was here that the public 

 learned more fully than anywhere else that there were hordes of unscrupulous 

 men who grew rich at the expense of the lives of children and invalids in 

 particular, and the health of the whole community in general. 



The chemists' reports filed in the Dairy and Food Division tell stories that 

 thrill the reader. The deception practiced was more far-reaching than is usually 

 supposed. An increasing mortality of children resulted from giving them milk 

 containing formaldehyde, which is the principal article used in embalming 

 the dead. Candy contained terra-alba, chrome-yellow, shellac, coal-tar dyes, 

 sulphites, etc. Alum and sulphate of copper were found in bread, while 

 pepper contained much foreign matter. Maple sugar and maple syrup were 

 misnomers, glucose and cane sugar predominating in some brands. A blend of 

 sulphuric and hydro-chloric acid was sold as vinegar. Acids were painted on 

 ham and other meat to give them the appearance of smoked meat, and sul- 

 phites were employed to "revive" the spoiled and odorous Hamburg steak. 



To-day there is a marked dimunition of these evil practices, and the leading 

 and best grocers realize that the day of adulterations and impositions has 

 passed; that it is worth while to cater to the best trade, and to supply all 

 patrons with a pure quality of food necessities; that in return for their time 

 and knowledge, they are entitled to a good reputation for honesty, a trait 

 that will help to build up a permanent trade and a good name. 



It is a gratifying- fact that the percentage of adulterations in dairy and food 

 products as compared with a long series of former years, shows a marked 

 change in favor of pure food. To the honest and conscientious business man, 

 much of the credit is due for the new and better era. 



OFFICE OF DAIRY AND FOOD COMMISSIONER IS CONSTITUTIONAL. 



In the recent Quo-Warranto preceedings instituted in the Supreme Court of 

 Pennsylvania to test the constitutionality of the laws creating the office of 

 Dairy and Food Commissioner of this Commonw^ealth, and to determine his 

 right to perform certain duties, an opinion w^as delivered that is a signal 

 triumph for the friends of the growing pure food movement. 



The Supreme Court afflrmed the legality of the laws. The Commissioner prac- 

 tically admitted that he was having analytical examinations of food-products 

 made by reputable chemists, and that upon their recommendation, w-hen articles 

 of food were adulterated, misbranded or fraudulent, legal proceedings were 

 brought against those selling such illegal goods, in order that their sale 

 might be stopped and the healtfi of the public safeguarded. This was done under 

 the police powers that are vested in the several acts of Assembly creating the 

 office, as well as defining the duties of the Commissioner. As stated in a pre- 

 vious report, ex-Commissioner Warren had courted the aforesaid proceedings, 

 in order to still more clearly establish his own rights, as well as to add 

 strength to his official work. The decision of the Supreme Court of Pennsyl- 

 vania was a notable decree in favor of better health and less fraud. This de- 

 cision is along right lines. There is absolute need for protection from food 



