No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL-TURE. 7» 



possible to present a list of considerable magnitude representing cer- 

 tain firms and individuals who were driven from the markets of 

 Pennsylvania, because of the persistency with which dealers hand- 

 ling such inferior and adulterated products were prosecuted by the 

 State authorities. They learned and fully understood that such for- 

 bidden articles had no legal status in Pennsylvania. 



RETAIL MERCHANTS' OBJECTIONS TO THE LAW. 



The retail merchants of Pennsylvania have entered strenuous 

 protests against the enforcement of the Pure Food Act of June 26, 

 1895, claiming that the jobber or manufacturer should in all cases 

 be regarded as the violator of the law and subjected to its penalties, 

 since the small dealer had no way to determine the purity of the 

 goods handled by him. While this argument is plausible, such re- 

 tail dealers could very readily purchase under a written guarantee 

 as to the purity and legality of the merchandise sold to them for re- 

 tailing, and in that manner secure immunity against financial loss, 

 and at the same time haVe the indirect assurance of increased purity 

 and a higher standard of merit. 



The purity and wholesomeness of foods sold in Pennsylvania has 

 undoubtedly shown a remarkable change for the better as compared 

 with the conditions which existed four years ago. If other States 

 wilfully enact laws which are detrimental to public health, or if 

 good laws are neglected through their non-enforcement, this 

 Commonwealth will positively continue its present activity so long 

 as may be necessary. 



NATIONAL FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. 



The enactment of a National Pure Food and Drugs Act has 

 brought a new issue, and while many of its leading features par- 

 take largely of the Pennsylvania Pure Food Law, approved June 

 26, 1895, this Commonwealth will continue its present policy until 

 the present law is repealed or supplemented by other pure food legis- 

 lation. It is probable that the laws will be amended or modified dur- 

 ing the legislative session of 1907, as various important commercial 

 interests are already clamoring for such changes as would make the 

 PennsylYania law conform more strictly with the National statute. 

 This movement may not strengthen or improve conditions, so far 

 as the consumer is concerned, and a cautionary signal is therefore 

 not inappropriate. The National authorities might be able to ren- 

 der help, so far as standards for foods are concerned, but it is not 

 at all probable that the present efficicacy of the State's legislation 

 would be advanced by the proposed new laws, excepting perhaps , in 

 protecting retailers. 



NEED FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL TESTS. 



One of the important and needful requirements of pure food de- 

 votees are more physiological tests to establish the harmfulness or 

 wholesomeness of food products. The National Government estab- 

 lished a series of experiments, with results that have only awakened 

 an increased interest, which fact bodes well for the success of future 

 experiments and researches. That the continued use of chemical pre- 

 servatives and coal tar dyes is injurious to health cannot be success- 

 fully controverted. Both human beings and animal life of the low- 



