No. 6. DEPAR.TMEKT OF AGRICULTURE. 61 



is fully established. The signs of the times are propitious; the press and pub- 

 lic are sympathetic and supporting the movement for better and pure dairy 

 and food products; but there remains much to be done. So far as the Dairy and 

 Food Bureau of Pennsylvania is concerned, it hereby extends an invitation 

 to the officials of the Nation and State to ask for our assistance and co-operation 

 whenever the public interests can be better subserved by such helpfulness. 



NATIONAL VERSUS STATE PURE FOOD LAWS. 



The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has some of the best dairy and food 

 laws of any state in the Union. No state was more largely instrumental in 

 the passage of the Food and Drugs Act by the National Congress. After seven- 

 teen years delay, and after the exercise of many dilatory tactics, the present 

 National law finally passed, but only in response to the rising tide of well- 

 founded and popular impatience which became too persistent to be safely 

 ignored. 



The impression entertained by many intelligent people that the National law 

 dispenses with State laws is, however, erroneous, and the Pennsylvania laws 

 remain in full force. The National Food and Drugs Act applies to interstate 

 business, and does not supercede our own legislation. It is still the opinion of 

 the Pennsylvania authorities that the National law is altogether too broad 

 and liberal in its scope, and that with its many defective points, there are 

 State laws in force which are a far greater safeguard to the health of the 

 people. 



The National law includes drugs and medicines, as well as liquor, all of 

 which articles are foreign to our dairy and food laws. Hundreds of corre- 

 spondents wrote to this Bureau, making inquiries, while others desired serial 

 numbers, etc., to be used on the medicinal and other productions. All such 

 requests were transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 



VALUABLE RESULTS OF ENFORCING PURE FOOD LAWS. 



The experience in Pennsylvania in enforcing dairy and food laws has firmly 

 confirmed the opinion that there must be a strong public sentiment back of the 

 laws, if efforts to enforce them are to meet with any reasonable degree of 

 success. This truth has been exemplified at various times during the history 

 of this Division of the Department of Agriculture. In enforcing the laws, the 

 public were educated in the plain truth that neither corporation nor individual 

 was exempted, when such violators were discovered and brought to justice. 

 While the number of prosecutions brought under the old pure food law seemed 

 very large, yet, considering the magnitude of Pennsylvania's business interests 

 and the number of people engaged therein, there was no indication that the 

 general business atmosphere was laden with a greater percentage of dishonesty 

 or lack of probity than perhaps existed elsewhere. The anti-adulteration law 

 has bean tried and not found wanting, and he who believed himself to be 

 standing supreme and above the law, has been rudely undeceived when he was 

 found to be ignoring his plain duty and the requirements of ordinary business 

 sense and acumen. An effort to protect the food that goes on the table of the 

 wage-earner and his family was of special consequence to the Dairy and Food 

 authorities, and, therefore, as intimated, no class was spared nor punished 

 at the expense of another. 



While it is true that there should be additional legislation, it is also evident 

 that the greatest evils have already been successfully restrained or curbed; but, 

 as we have more experience, we comprehend increased needs, and still further, 

 more stringent laws and more effective action. 



That there has been a wonderful improvement in the quality and character of 

 the dairy and food supplies sold in Pennsylvania, cannot be successfully con- 

 troverted. The money advantage accruing from this work cannot be estimated, 

 as the scores of fraudulent practices in the preparation and sale of some of the 

 ordinary necessaries of life were startling in their aggregate proportions. The 

 cordial support of the manufacturers and reputable dealers does not lack appre- 

 ciation, as it made the work of enforcing the pure food laws practicable, while 

 a united opposition of the manufacturers and press would not only have badly 

 crippled the efforts for good, but made the attempt almost hopeless. 



OFFICIAL FORCE PLEASED WITH HELP. 



The official force of the Dairj' and Food Bureau cheerfully and properly 

 acknowledges the courtesy and good feeling that has been established between 

 the officers and the trade throughout Pennsylvania. Several years ago, certain 

 commercial interests were more or less inimical to the pure food work, but it is 

 gratifying to report that all such imaginary barriers have disappeared, and 

 that those perhaps most strongly opposed are to-day among its firmest sup- 

 porters and friends. 



The Special Agents of the Bureau who are constantly in the field, looking for 

 violations of the pure food, milk, oleomargarine and other protective laws, 

 recognize these improved conditions with much pleasure. There is a willing- 

 ness upon the part of those concerned to assist in the enforcement of these laws 

 that is very satisfactory, boding much good for the future. 



