53°  To  Study  Food  and  Drug  Questions.  {ANoVfmbeVPih9um' 
held  at  the  headquarters  of  the  Chamber  in  Washington,  October 
8th.  The  committee  is  composed  of  Willoughby  M.  McCormick,  of 
Baltimore ;  A.  J.  Porter,  of  Niagara  Falls ;  John  A.  Green,  of  Cleve- 
land;  B.  L.  Murray,  of  New  York,  and  Theodore  F.  Whitmarsh, 
of  New  York.  Mr.  McCormick,  the  chairman,  is  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  head  of  the  firm  of  McCormick  &  Co.,  manufacturers 
of  extracts  and  drugs  and  importers  of  spices  and  teas ;  Mr.  Porter 
is  president  of  the  Shredded  Wheat  Company;  Mr.  Green  is  secre- 
tary of  the  National  Association  of  Retail  Grocers;  Mr.  Murray 
is  chemist  to  Merck  &  Co. ;  and  Mr.  Whitmarsh  is  vice-president  of 
Francis  H.  Leggitt-  &  Co. 
The  position  taken  by  the  committee  on  the  meaning  of  uni- 
formity is  interesting  and  will  repay  close  examination.  Its  views 
are  not  confined  to  a  limited  horizon  but  are  intended  to  grasp  the 
broader  and  wider  fields.  Its  efforts  will  be  confined  to  no  organiza- 
tion or  class  of  people.  It  hopes  to  cover  in  its  endeavors  the  posi- 
tion of  the  wholesaler,  the  retailer,  the  consumer,  the  manufacturer, 
the  official,  and  all  others  concerned  in  the  production,  handling  and 
consumption  of  food  and  drugs.  But  only  the  broad,  general  ques- 
tions of  national  character  will  be  considered.  After  a  lengthy 
discussion  the  committee  at  its  meeting,  by  unanimous  vote  of  all 
present,  adopted  the  following  regarding  uniformity : 
Uniformity,  as  the  committee  would  define  it,  involves  the  highest  degree 
of  efficiency  in  food  and  drug  control  which  it  is  possible  to  have  prevail 
universally  and  equally  in  every  part  of  the  nation.  The  Federal,  State,  and 
municipal  laws  and  their  regulations  would,  if  perfect  uniformity  were  attain- 
able, reach  the  level  of  full  and  complete  efficiency,  and  thereby  afford  equal 
protection  and  a  uniform  standard  of  living  for  all  the  people.  Uniformity 
accomplished,  places  merit  and  the  general  public  interest  over  local  political 
or  geographical  divisions.  This  committee  will,  therefore,  direct  its  efforts 
and  consideration  toward  the  accomplishment  of  uniformity.  The  committee 
cannot  but  feel  impressed  with  the  magnitude,  the  importance,  and  the  serious- 
ness of  its  work.  It  cannot  but  feel  the  need  for  the  closest  study  of  the 
subject.  And,  again,  the  committee  cannot  but  feel  the  necessity  for  the 
fullest  and  most  cordial  cooperation  between  itself  and  the  officials  and  all 
others  concerned.  The  committee  will,  of  necessity,  act  deliberately  and 
slowly,  making  certain  of  each  step,  considering  only  the  important  problems 
of 'a  national  character. 
