61 



-alleged to be in.iurious except when used in the form of a tin lake. Strictly 

 speaking, however, as I said before, it is not a vegetable color and I 

 shoixld not be inclined to class it as such. It is unfortunate that tliere is 

 so large an element who regard all vegetable colors as harmless and all 

 others as objectionable." 



You will notice from these letters that it is almost inipossilile for the 

 manufacturer to get definite lines to work to. 



To kill an evil we must get at its head. The greatest excuse for 

 -adulterated goods is that the i)ublic wants something that looks nice, and, 

 above all, something that is cheap. As long as this demand exists, it 

 will be satisfied. It is true we have laws requiring adulterated goods to be 

 labeled as such, but they are juggled with to such an extent that they con- 

 fuse the public all the more. While these requirements are in force con- 

 cerning the labeling of adulterated goods, there is no stamp of approval 

 provided for the pure food, and, the consuming public being unacquainted 

 with the label requirement, has to take the manufacturer's word for it. 



Laws regarding adulterated foods are necessarily technical. Tech- 

 nicalities can not reach the spirit of a manufacturer, though he may com- 

 ply with their litei'al requirements. Foods may be and are prepared un- 

 der the most filthy and uiisnnitaiy conditions, yet fill the technical re- 

 quirements of the law. 



How much greater the incentive to a manufacturer if he could have 

 his goods and methods inspected and receive suggestions from an un- 

 jtrejudiced organization, which, by its researches, had become thoroughly 

 competent. 



I believe the State of Indiana could not make a greater move in favor 

 ()f pure foods and benefit the public more than by delegating power to 

 the Indiana Academy of Science, if it were willing, to place on goods which 

 had passed its inspection, its stamp of approval. While the public should 

 be protected, the manufacturer should be encouraged. In conclusion I 

 wish to say that the needs which I have tried to present are real and not 

 imaginary. While there would probably be considerable apathy on the 

 part of some manufactiirers in cooperating with this movement, those 

 who are really interested in the quality of their products will greet a 

 movement of this kind with their enthusiastic support. 



