In Memoriam. 81 
WILLIAM JAMES JONES, JR. 
S. D. CONNER, Purdue University. 
William James Jones, Jr., was one of the most prominent officials in 
the United States in charge of fertilizer and feeding stuff inspection 
and control. His opinions were always given great weight in the meet- 
ings of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, of which he 
was a member. As an official of the Federal Food and Drug Depart- 
ment has stated, ““We regarded him as a model of the efficient food 
control chemist.” 
Professor Jones was born at Watseka, Illinois, December 9, 1870. 
He studied in the public schools of Illinois until prepared for college. 
He took the science course at Purdue University, graduating with high 
honors in 1891. Immediately after graduation he became assistant to 
Dr. W. E. Stone, then head of the Chemistry Department. In 1892 he 
received the degree of Master of Science and in 1893 that of Analytical 
Chemist. In 1892 he was appointed Assistant State Chemist under 
Prof. H. A. Huston. Continuing in that department, he was made Chief 
Deputy in 1903 and State Chemist in 1907, holding that office until his 
death on August 31, 1917. 
Professor Jones’ high sense of honor and integrity, together with his 
thorough training and tireless energy, well fitted him as a leader against 
fraud in commercial fertilizer and feeding stuffs. He was instrumental 
in framing the Indiana Feedings Stuff Control Law of 1907, which has 
proved so satisfactory and successful that it has been used as a model 
by other States and the Federal Department in framing similar laws. 
This law was so administered by Professor Jones that it has proven of 
vast benefit to both consumer and the honest manufacturer. It may 
be safely said that both the feed and fertilizer sold in Indiana are now 
almost universally up to the guarantees. 
His administration of the laws under his charge was without fear 
or favor. He forced the condimental stock food manufacturers to regis- 
ter and sell their products under the feeding stuff law. This ruling 
was disputed by the International Stock Food Company, who fought the 
ease through all the courts until the United States Supreme Court 
decided in agreement with Professor Jones’ interpretation of the law. 
Professor Jones had a natural taste for investigation, and it is un- 
fortunate that his regular duties prevented him from giving more time 
to research. While his publications of a research nature were few, he 
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