No. 143.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Morton.
Washington , October 9, 1883.
Sir: With reference to previous correspondence on the subject, I have to inform you that, in view of the action taken by Germany and several other foreign powers in prohibiting the importation of American pork upon the ground that it is an unhealthful article of food, this Government has now taken measures for such a thorough investigation of the subject as will, it is thought, leave no doubt whatever as to the facts.
To this end, the President has designated a commission, which he has charged with the duty of making a searching and impartial examination of all the conditions of hog-raising and packing industries of the United [Page 283] States. The chairman of the commission is Dr. George B. Loring, the Commissioner of Agriculture, whose official duties for several years past have made him very familiar with the subject now submitted to the commission for formal investigation.
The other members of the commission are:
- 1st.
- Prof. C. F. Chandler, an eminent scientist of New York, who was unanimously selected by the Chamber of Commerce of that city, on account of his peculiar competency for the position;
- 2d.
- Eliphalet W. Blatchford, esq., who was nominated by the Board of Trade of Chicago as an intelligent gentleman of the very highest social and business standing, who “is in no way personally interested in the business to be investigated, and is possessed of those characteristics which it is believed will enable him fully, ably, aud fairly to co operate with the members of the commission in placing these most important interests in their true position before the Government and through it before the commercial world”;
- 3d.
- F. D. Curtis, esq., of Charlton, N. Y., recommended by the Department of Agriculture as a gentleman who has given long and diligent study to the history; and,
- 4th.
- Prof. D. E. Salmon, of Washington, D. C., nominated by the Commissioner of Agriculture, and well known as one of the most learned and skillful veterinary surgeons in the United States.
This commission will be organized at an early day, and the results of its investigation will be submitted to Congress as soon as practicable.
It appears from Mr. Brulatour’s dispatch No. 371, of the 17th of June last, that when he informed the French foreign office of the President’s intention to appoint this commission, Mr. Challemel Lacour seemed pleased with the proposal and promised to mention the subject to his colleague, the minister of commerce, and inform the legation of the result. The Department not having as yet been advised as to the decision reached by the French Government in regard to the matter, I will thank you to lose no time in informing the foreign office of the action which the President has now taken in reference to the subject.
I am. &c.,