60 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



work. This interchang-e of opinions has wrought a number of important 

 changes and developed matters of the greatest importance and value to those 

 interested in dairy and food laws and regulations. One of the principal matters 

 considered is the question of securing a greater uniformity in laws and their 

 interpretation and enforcement. Such action would end many annoyances, re- 

 move serious hindrances, and thus insure a greater purity of products through- 

 out the country. 



The meeting of these officials attract National attention, and they are growing 

 in importance with each succeeding year. The enactment of a National Food 

 and Drugs law has proven an additional stimulus for intelligent and active co- 

 operation, and the few remaining states in the Union which did not have any 

 pure food laws are now rapidly falling into line to advance the good cause. 



Pennsylvania still stands at the pinnacle so far as the enforcement of pure food 

 legislation is concerned, and will safely carry the guidon during coming cam- 

 paigns. 



PENNSYLVANIA LEADS IN DAIRY AND FOOD LAWS. 



There are those who recall the sneers which were evoked by the suggested 

 vigorous enforcement of the dairy and food laws of Pennsylvania; but to-day, 

 there is hardly any one who is not willing to acknowledge their importance and 

 usefulness and to pronounce them as a public benefactor. With the exception of 

 our own excellent State Health Department, tliere is no other medium in Penn- 

 sylvania that contributed more towards the health of the people of Penn- 

 sylvania than this same Dairy and Food Division of the Department of Agricul- 

 ture. The rational business-like policy in enforcing pure food legislation in 

 Pennsylvania was one of the potent factors in fostering the new National Food 

 and Drugs Act. 



In his annual message to Congress, President Roosevelt expressed his hearty 

 approval and support of the pure food laws of the Nation and states in the fol- 

 lowing emphatic language: 



"Incidentally in the passage of the pure food law, the action of the various 

 State food and dairy commissioners showed in striking fashion how much good 

 for the whole people results from the hearty co-operation of the Federal and 

 State officials in securing a given reform. It is primarily to the action of these 

 State commissioners that we owe the enactment of this law, for they aroused 

 the people first to demand the enactment and enforcement of State laws on the 

 subject and then the enactmient of the Federal law, without which the State 

 laws were largely ineffective. There must be the closest co-operation between 

 the National and State governments in administering these laws." 



Secretary Wilson, of the National Department of Agriculture, Dr. Wiley, 

 Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry, Prof. Bigelow of the same Bureau, and 

 other National champions of the pure food movement, have at various times 

 given their hearty and welcome words of encouragement and support to the 

 Pennsylvania authorities. 



HOW LAWS ARE ENFORCED. 



The idea that the chief duty of this department of the public service is merely 

 to supply information to inquiring people is a mistaken one, as it is also ex- 

 pected to make arrests where the laws are disregarded. The Dairy and Food 

 Divisions has proven its devotion to its obligations and the numerous prosecu- 

 tions brought in Pennsylvania were the result of flagrant violations of the laws. 

 Manufacturers, jobbers and retail merchants have had ample opportunity to be- 

 come acquainted with the simple requirements of the pure food and dairy laws. 

 Needed information can be obtained upon application to the Dairy and Food 

 Commissioner. 



It was impressed throughout the State that the new and higher standard of 

 food products which has been developed during the past few years must be 

 maintained. There is not a single reason why the public should be permitted 

 to become the victims of food adulterators, and with their past experience and 

 knowing the meaning of the improved conditions, they are among the strongest 

 supporters of the pure food agitation. Just what these changes mean in the 

 matter of financial help and improved health is an incalculable asset. The 

 proportionate cost to the citizens of the State has been singularly small, as th" 

 revenues paid into the State Treasury by the Bureau for a number of years pasi 

 have considerably exceeded the expenditures of the Food Bureau. 



NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICIALS MUST CO-OPERATE. 



The Dairy and Food Commissioner of Pennsylvania, fully recognizing the 

 .truth that uniformity of laws and anity in their enforcement brings best re- 

 sults, desires to urge the special importance of a more close and intimate rela- 

 tionship of those entrusted with the enforcement of both National and State 

 dairy and food laws and regulations. It is only by their concerted and well-or- 

 ganized efforts that the best results are obtainable. There are channels unex- 

 plored, and sources of adulteration and sophistry remain that can only be suc- 

 cessfully reached after such a system of more direct and general co-operation 



