THIRTY-FOURTH FRUIT-GROWERS^ CONVENTION. 



121 



Pendin": determination by the Referee Board of the wholesomeuess or unwhole- 

 someness of these substances, their use will be allowed under the following restric- 

 tions : 



Benzoate of soda, in quantities not exceeding one tenth of one per cent, may be 

 added to those foods in Avhich generally heretofore it has been so used. The addi- 

 tion of benzoate of soda shall be plainly stated upon the label of each package of 

 such food. 



No objection will be made to foods which contain the ordinary quantities of sul- 

 phur dioxid. if the fact that such foods have been so prepared is plainly stated upon 

 the label of each package. 



An ahuormal quantity of sulphur dioxid placed in food for the purpose of market- 

 ing an excessive moisture content will be regarded as fraudulent adulteration, under 

 the Food and Drugs Act of June 30, 1906. and will be proceeded against accordingly. 



Food Inspection Decision No. 76. issued July 13, 1907, is hereby amended accord- 

 ingly. 



The fruit industry was by this amendment still left in a position of 

 uncertainty and in a demoralized condition. Growers held meetings, 

 made appeals to the department through the delegation in Congress, 

 and finally to President Roosevelt. Acting with his accustomed 

 promptness, the President took steps to create Avhat was denominated a 

 "Referee Board," to which matters connected with the dried fruit 

 industry, theretofore left Avith the "Bureau of Chemistry and the^ 

 Agricultural Department" for determination, were to be submitted. 



The Referee Board was constituted by appointment of five eminently 

 scientific men, of extensive experience in chemistry and pathology. Its 

 personnel is : 



Dr. Ira Remsen. chairman, president Johns Hopkins University. Balti- 

 more ; Prof. Russell H. Chittenden, Yale University, New Haven ; Prof. 

 John H. Long, Northwestern University, Chicago; Prof. Alonzo 

 Taylor, University of California, Berkeley; Dr. C. A. Harter, Special 

 Inspector of Foods, New York City. 



The high character and standing of this board gives confidence to 

 those engaged in the fruit industry. It is believed the importance of 

 the industry as it relates to the welfare of the large number of people 

 interested in it, as well as the deleteriousness of dried fruits cured with 

 the use of sulphur, will be carefully and broadly considered. It is felt 

 that the conditions under which "sulphur dioxid" renders dried fruit 

 deleterious, if it is rendered so at all by the present method of drying^ 

 and handling, will likewise be considered. The hope is entertained that 

 the findings of the Referee Board, and its determination, will furnish 

 the Agricultural Department, independent of the Bureau of Chemistry, 

 a basis on Avhicli to issue a new decision that will enable fruit growers 

 and fruit dealers to pursue the occupation of drying and distributing^ 

 fruit in a lawful and satisfactory way. 



It is hoped also that the Referee Board, in its investigations, will 

 come to California during the curing season. By having opportunity 

 to observe climatic conditions, and by following the fruit from the tree 

 to the packing house and until it is ready for distribution, the board 

 will be better able to decide what is essential to the fruit industry in 

 this State, than if its findings and recommendation are based on purely 

 technical examination. 



Following closely on the issuance of Decision 89, at the request of the 

 fruit growers of the State, I went to Washington to get, if possible, a 

 modification of that decision. The State Board of Trade had been 

 active in efforts to protect the fruit industry of the State, and on_ 



