324 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



Were it not for our co-operative system with the federal authori- 

 ties we would be in a compromising position indeed. 



At the time of our first experience we took the matter up with 

 Mr. Tolman, Chief of the Central District, U. S. Food and Drug 

 Inspection Service, and worked out a method which not only puts a 

 stop to the future illegal shipments, but compelled the shippers to 

 I'eimburse the purchasers for the deficiency in feeding value of the 

 shipments which had been delivered. This plan has been so effec- 

 tive as to return to Iowa purchasers over $3,000.00 since the cam- 

 paign instituted in February. Mr, Tolman has given the Iowa 

 Department every assistance that could be asked. I believe that the 

 authorities works to the mutual advantage of both departments ; the 

 questions of responsibility and jurisdiction are thereby eliminated. 



RULINGS AND HEARINGS. 



Each year there are many problems which arise relative to the 

 application of the law to certain commodities. Where the effect of 

 a ruling of the department is far-reaching enough to justify it, we 

 hold a public hearing on the subject. At these hearings, dealers and 

 manufacturers are invited to express their views in order that the 

 decision of the department may be as consistent with good trade 

 practice as a full protection to the consumer will permit. These 

 hearings have an important bearing on the harmonious working of 

 the decision after it is made. 



As the better class of manufacturers, jobbers and vendors of pro- 

 ducts come to a better understanding of our problems and the laws 

 closer we work in co-operation with the federal authorities in mat- 

 ters of inter-state shipments, the greater protection we can give 

 the purchasers and consumers of our own state, as well as promote 

 the establishment of uniform laws, rules and regulations. I would 

 like at this time to call your attention to the fact that the volume of 

 work done in co-operation with the United States Department of 

 Agriculture has increased at a remarkable rate during the past year. 

 In Iowa alone our state inspectors have taken over seventy-five in- 

 ter-state samples (principally feeding-stuffs) since the first of the 

 year. Close working co-operation between the federal and state 

 and regulations, of which we have the enforcement, I believe we 

 must all admit our work is lessened. Some members of the trade 

 have been a long time in arriving at the conclusion, that while the 

 food laws were enacted primarily to protect the consumer, they are 

 in fact as helpful to the honest dealer as to the consumer. 



