ADMINISTRATION OF IMPORTANT REGULATORY LAWS 85 



sidered in connection with the data presented by the in- 

 spectors and chemists relating to the sample. If the hear- 

 ings are held at a branch laboratory, the findings are 

 subsequently reviewed by the Board of Food and Drug 

 Inspection in Washington. If it appears that the law has 

 been violated the Board makes the appropriate recommenda- 

 tion to the Secretary of Agriculture, who certifies this fact 

 to the proper United States Attorney, through the Depart- 

 ment of Justice, together with the necessary information 

 regarding the case. It is then the duty of 4he United States 

 Attorney to prosecute the case "promptly" in the United 

 States district courts. 



State authorities, charged with the enforcement of health, 

 food, or drug laws, may, when authorized by the Secretary 

 of Agriculture, institute proceedings in federal courts for 

 the violation of the food and drugs act. 



Although the enforcement of this law has been com- 

 mitted to the Secretary of Agriculture, the rules and regula- 

 tions for carrying out its provisions must be made by a 

 board, consisting of the Secretary of the Treasury, the 

 Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Commerce. 



In the drafting of the original set of regulations, ample 

 opportunity was given to all persons who would be affected 

 by the operation of the law to present such information as 

 they thought proper. In addition, a board called the 

 " Referee Board of Consulting Scientific Experts," of which 

 President Ira Remsen was chairman, was appointed to pass 

 upon the larger questions of policy. Extensive experiments 

 were conducted and voluminous reports were rendered. 



Experience has made numerous changes and additions 

 necessary, but before any new regulation or decision is 

 issued, effort is made to secure adequate information.'® 



The law requires that all judicial decisions in cases aris- 

 ing under it shall be published not more than thirty days 

 after they are rendered. Since these are printed in con- 



^* Rules and Regulations for the Enforcement of the Food and 

 Drugs Act, Office of tlic Secretary, Circular no. 21, Seventli Revision. 



