||illi"»»*«"™T 014 180 145 4 ^ )8 y 1 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. HE^misra BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE IMMITIE ON AGKICOLTOHi; AND mmi UNITED STATES SENATE, 'THXIRSIDAY, JA^STTJARY i^6, 1899. ON THE BILL (S. 4698) TO ESTABLISH A BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1908. . ''Ci ■7^ BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. Thursday, January 26^ 1899. The subcommittee met at half past 10 o'clock a. m. Present, Senators Gear (chairman), Hansbrough, and Roach; also, Miss Emma C. Sickels, Mrs. James H. Kyle, and Mrs. Charles W. Fairbanks, representing the Domestic Science Association; Dr. Tarleton H. Bean, of the National Pure Food Association; and Mr. John Trimble, secretary of the National Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry. The Chairman. Who is to be the spokesman ? Mrs. Kyle. Miss Sickels. The Chairman. Miss Sickels, we will hear you with great pleasure. STATEMENT BY MISS EMMA C. SICKELS. Miss Sickels. Mr. Chairman, the object of our conference this morning is to present to you the subject of domestic science, or the systematic means by which the uses and methods of the preparation of food may be made more Avidely known among the women and in the homes of our country. The objects of our National Domestic Science Association are the promotion and development of a systematic knowledge of the best methods and appliances for domestic art and the placing of the best foods before the greatest number of people. One year ago the follow- ing resolution was adopted by the Farmers' National Congress held in Indianapolis, Ind. : Whereas the ultimate object of aj^rioulture is the lu'odnotion of food for mankind ; Whereas that object fails in the most essential point if the food which is pro- duced with skill is ruined in preparation throuiih ignorance : Therefore, be it Resolved, That we, the National Farmers' Congress, use our active influence and effort toward establishing a bureau of domestic science in the Department of Agriculture at Washington and in the various State agricultural fairs, col- leges, and institutes throughout the nation, where best methods and appliances for the preparation of food may be presented in connection with best methods and appliances for its production. Miss Emma C. Sickels, of the National Domestic Science Associa- tion, was appointed by the president of the National Farmers' Con- gress chairman of the committee on domestic science, to act under this resolution, of which committee Mrs. John M. Palmer, of Spring- field, 111.; Mrs. James H. Kyle, of Aberdeen, S. Dak.; Mr. John M. Stahl, secretary of the National Farmers' Congress; Hon. William H. Liggett, dean of the Minnesota Agricultural College; Mrs. H. Thane Miller, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Hon. Franklin Dye, secretary of 3 4 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. the New Jersey State board of agriculture; and F. E. Dawley, di- rector of farniers' institutes, New Tork State, are the members. All of these are connected with some phase of the work of domestic science from their different standpoints. During the past year these representatives of different bodies and phases of the work of domestic science in its practical application to the study and preparation of food haA^e been cooperating in pro- moting an interest in this study. It is found that in different agri- cultural colleges there are now departments of domestic science which are handicapped for lack of funds, but they are even more handicap]3ed by the lack of a uniform system of instruction. The Avomen of the conntry are showing their desire to liave an op- portunity for education in this work, which is to them of such vital importance. A bill was introduced at the close of the last session, know^n as Senate bill 4()98, by Avhich a bureau of domestic science, to be connected with the Department of Agriculture, in Washington, is proposed to be established. The Secretary of Agriculture, to whom letters were sent by different members of this committee on domestic science, and Dr. True, in charge of the fruit investigations of the De- partment of Agriculture, informed the representative of the com- mittee that the practicable and desirable w^ay of carrying out the l^urposes of tlie bill would be through the insertion of a clause in the agricultural appropriation bill noAv pending. On page 19 of the agricultural appropriation bill, in the apj^ropriation made for nutri- tion investigations, the suggestion is made to insert a proviso so as to make the provision read : For nutrition investigations * * * $25,000 : Provided Tliat $10,000 of this sum shall be expended for investigations and reports upon best methods and appliances for the preparation of food, with a view to advancing the interests of domestic science and to securing useful information for distribution in the homes of the people. The Chairman. That is the amendment you propose to the agri- cultural appropriation bill? Miss SiCKELS. Yes; by which the provisions of Senate bill 4698 can be carried out. Mrs. Fairbanks. But the whole appropriation is $25,000, instead of $10,000 as is provided in Senate bill 4698. Miss SiCKELS. The agricultural bill already provides $15,000 for nutrition investigations. The bill as we desire to have it amended will increase that sum to $25,000. The Chairman. I have here a letter from the Secretary of Agri- culture, addressed to Mr. Proctor, in which he states that — For some years past Congress has appropriated $15,000 for nutrition investi- gations in this Department, to enable the Secretary of Agriculture " to investi- gate and report upon the nutritive value of the various articles and commodi- ties used for human food, with special suggestions of full, wholesome, and edible rations, less wasteful and more economical than those in common use." Now you request that $10,000 shall be added to this fund, for the establishment of a special bureau in the Agricultural Department, to be devoted to the subject of domestic science? Miss SiCKELS. Yes; in order that the States which are now carry- ing on the work in the different agricultural colleges may be aided through the Department of Agriculture; that reports on the subject BUFiEAr OF n(^'\rES'n(' s("nr:j^cE. 5 of domestic scieiur may be sent to and througli the Department of AaTicultnre. The farmers' institntes are the founders of the project for the establishment of a bureau of domestic science in the Department of Agricuhure. It is thouofht by the institutes that the most practical way is to work through the agricultural colleges, which have already taken up that study and desire to have enlarged facilities for the women of the States. Through the farmers' institutes the study of domestic science has been taken up in New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota. There may be other States which have taken up the study systematically, but I am not prepared now to name them. The State of Illinois has organized an Illinois Domestic Science Associa- tion, connected with the Farmers' Institute of the State, having a branch in every county. After this thorough organization, after having received all of the food bulletins now published by the Department of Agriculture and given them intelligent thought and study, the president of the Illinois Domestic Science Association writes that the difficulty is that they find so little reliable information and practical means of instruction for use in the homes. This is similar to the experience found through the different States. The ladies of Iowa liave written, that they have organized, and that throughout tlie State they are united in desiring a more practical means than that Avhich is now afforded, so that they can make a more intelligent use of the food upon which the health and welfare of the family depend, and that they ma^^ have some more reliable means of knowing how to prepare that food in a practical way for the use of their families. The Chair^ian. What ladies in Iowa are at the head of this move- ment ? Miss SiCKELS. Mrs. Stone, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and I have a letter here from Mrs. Georire J. Stevens, of Sioux Citv. Mr. LiffSfett. the president of the Minnesota College, has written a letter, and also in an interview has expressed a strong desire that the study of do- mestic science shall be provided with means for doing a more practical and a wider work than they are yet enabled to do. President Jesse, of the Missouri University, realizes the need, and has expressed him- self in a letter as desiring that some means shall be taken by which a department may be established in that university and the State sentiment developed for the better education of their women in do- mestic science. Professor Yoorhees, of the New Jersey Agricultural College, told me that he has a davighter who has a taste for domestic science; that he has carefully investigated the different departments in the colleges that he may find a means of education for her which will be as thor- ough and satisfactory as education in other lines, but that he has found no college where this education can be furnished in a way as satisfactorily as the manner in which other branches of industry are taught. From all over the nation the desire and the need for a systematic study of the uses and methods of the preparation of food are shown by the ignorance and the wastefulness of so many of the housekeep- ers, who would very willingly adopt better means in their homes if 6 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. they had some way by which they could get the right information to enable them to use and prepare food intelligently. It is not only these who are aware of this lack and of the trouble brought to homes through ignorance on this subject, but the best housekeepers are also awaking to the fact that by a united effort bet- ter and more systematic means of information and education would enable them in their homes to perform their duties more satisfactorily. I believe that covers the points. I have stated the number of those who are interested, and the reasons why the}^ are interested, and what they hope to accomplish. Have I covered those points? Senator Hansbroitgh. I think so. Miss SiCKELS. I tried to do so. The Chairman. We would be glad to hear anyone else. Mrs. Fairbanks. Mrs. Kvle may wish to sav something*. This is the first meeting I have attended. I am very much interested in the subject, of course. I really think that domestic science has been too long neglected and that Congress should do something in this direc- tion. Mrs. Kyle is more familiar with the work of the association than I am. The Chairman. Mrs. Kyle, we would be glad to hear from you. Mrs. Kyle. I always let Miss Sickels do the talking. T do the practice in my home. Senator Hansbroitgh. I see that we have here a very full report on the subject, set forth in a memorial which I presume was prepared by some of the ladies Avho are present. It seems to cover this question very thoroughly. The Chairman. Yes; I have observed that it does. Mrs. Kyle. I think it fully explains the matter. Senator Hansbroitgh. xVfter what Miss Sickels has said, it seems to me that, with the memorial we have before us, the subject is cov- ered, unless Mrs. Kyle or Mrs. Fairbanks desire to be heard. Mrs. Fairbanks. Thank you; I have nothing to say except to in- dorse what Miss Sickels has said. Mrs. Kyle. I think it would be a good plan if Ave could get all thai is good in the line of the French cooks and the Italian and German cooks and make a comparison and throw out what we do not need to know in this country. Senator Hansbrough. Throwing out the indigestible portion? Mrs. Kyle. Yes; throwing all' tliat out and just keeping the best. That is one idea that I have had in mind. Senator Hansbrough. Is there anything in addition to the memo- rial presented by Senator Kyle containing information on this question ? Miss Sickels. No, sir. Senator Roach. It covers the whole ground, does it not ? Senator Hansbrough. I think so. It is very thorough and very full. Mrs. Kyle. The work is in its infancy as yet. Mrs. Fairbanks. Senator Hansbrough came in after the hearing began and perhaps he does not understand about the amendment that is proposed as an addition to the paragraph making an appropriation for nutrition investigations. The Chairman. It is proposed in lieu of a separate bill to add in the agricultural appropriation bill $10,000 to $15,000 for nutrition investisrations. BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 7 Miss SiCKELS. We do not ask for three million, or* anything like that sum, but we just want to show what can be done. Mrs. Kyle. We would like to start schools and carry on the work thoroughh^ Senator Hansbrough. The Agricultural Department has had this matter under consideration? The Chairman. Yes; the Secretary of Agriculture has written a letter on the subject, which is here. I will ask the secretary, Mr. Avery, to read the letter. Mr. Avery read as follows : Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, Washinffton, D. C, January 20. 1899. Hon. Redfield Proctor, United States Senate. My Dear Senator : I liave received from Mr. Brainard Avery, clerk to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, a copy of 'Senate bill 4698, to establish a bureau of domestic science, upon which my recommendations are re- quested; also a coi)y of an amendment to H. R. 11266 (the agricultural appro- priation bill), appropriating $5,000 to enable me to investigate and report upon the physiological action and nutritive value of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. For some years past Congress has ai)propriated $15,000 for nutrition investi- gation in this Department to enable the Secretary of Agriculture '• to investigate and report upon the nutritive value of the various articles and connnodities userl for human food, with specinl suggestions of full, wholesome, and edible rations less wasteful and more economical than those in common use." In carrying on this investigation, subjects very closely related to " domestic science " were necessarily investigated ; and if there is now any feature of the work which Congress thinks we should push with more vigor, the Department is equipped and ready to obey. This applies equally to the amendment which provides for an investigation of the nutritive value of alcohol. In that event Congress might ha\'e to provide for additional appropriations, but for the work in hand the appropriations are sufficient. We are i)ushing this work witli all deliberate speed and endenvoring to arouso the active interest of the agricultural colleges and experiment stations, so that they will i)ut in practice the conclusions and facts brought out by this Depart- ment through Dr. Atwater's nutrition investigations. This work is now being conducted under the Office of Exi)eriinent Stations and can very well be con- tinued without the establishment of another division or bureau. Very truly, yours. James Wilson. Seeretdri/. Mr. Hansbrough. I suggest that the memorial presented by Sen- ator Kyle be included in the hearing, so that we can have the matter together in a convenient form. The Chairman. I think that should be done. Senator Roach. Certainly. The memorial referred to is as follows: Mr. Kyle presented the following memorial relative to the bill (S. 4698) to establish a bureau of domestic science: TNTRODUiCTORY ADDRESS BY MISS EMMA C. SICKELS. The subject which I would briefly call to your attention is the first in history, but the last one to be considered in the point of progress. Conventions are held where the best methods of production are ably discussed and public policy influenced. Our great Government has established a department for which $3,500,000 was appropriated last year for investigations into the production of food. Colleges are established throughout the country where every facility is provided for education in the production of food. State fairs are held with 8 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. generous apprepriatioiis. Institutes are conducted for further con- sideration of this question, and yet of what vahie is all of this ex- penditure and effort if the healthful, nutritious product of the soil is mixed with unhealthful, even poisonous, substances, or if the food which may be produced with the greatest skill and manufactured with the highest standard of purity is ruined through the ignorance of the cook? Do you realize that you rise early, work late, deny yourself pleasures that your family may be well fed, and then actu- ally pay your grocer for supplying you with food which poisons your families and undermines their health? Do j^ou know that there is really no protection against this most subtle and most universal form of manslaughter, and that unprincipled men can without fear become rich at the cost of the health, even of the life, of the community? But, unfortunately, very few human beings exercise the same intelligence in feeding themselves or their families which the farmer uses in feeding his cattle, or the farmer's wife observes in feeding the stove. You would not supply the cattle Avith sawdust nor feed the stove with stones, but great care and forethought are given to the kind of fodder which will produce the desired results, or the fuel needed, and yet the disastrous results of ignorance or neglect of right foods are universal and of incomparably more importance. I therefore recommend to your consideration and action any effort which may tend toward defending your work from this perversion of its most essential object, and that you agitate and legislate in such a manner that the public may be protected. This is not essentially a woman's question. This is not especially woman's work. It under- lies all interests of humanity more completely than does ^nj other one subject, but men are the voters, men are the legislators, and men are the principal eaters ; at least they are the monitors and the critics as to the food which is cooked, and upon them is the responsibility of providing the facilities for the education of those who prepare the food. The National Pure Food Association has been organized of gentlemen whose reputation and position command for their work the confidence of the public. Their object is public agitation and action for pure food. The Domestic Science Association has been organized for the pur- pose of developing a systematic knowledge of household art and for establishing departments where best methods and appliances for the preparation of food can be presented as thoroughly and on as com- plete and broad a scale as are the departments for presenting methods and appliances for the production of food. These are logical and inevitable accompaniments of the work of agriculture and demand attention. The failure to heed these demands has caused poverty, ill health, and untold misery. Intelligent action would tend to bring about the solution of one of the most difficult public problems with which humanity has to deal. DOMESTIC SCIENCE ASSOCIATION . The Domestic Science Association was incorj^orated in April, 1894, " for promoting and developing systematic knowledge of best methods and appliances for domestic art and for placing the best foods before the greatest number of people." BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 9 During the four years it has been quietly and actively at .work, educating public opinion, investigating legislative, social, and educa- tional conditions, introducing legislation on this subject in Congress, stimulating interest in the Department of Agriculture, securing the formation of domestic science committees, and action in the Woman's National Council, Farmers' National Congress, and other organiza- tions. It has given practical exhibits of best methods and appliances for the household (or domestic science exhibits) at Madison Square Garden, New York, at the National Electrical Exposition, New York, in Washington, Chicago, and elsewhere. In March, 1895, the following bill was introduced in Congress by the active influence of Mrs. John M. Palmer, vice-president. The bill was introduced by Senator Gallinger and referred to the Com- mittee on Education and Labor: Whereas the industrial edneatioii of woman in honsehokl art is of nation.al importance and is a potent element of the hibor problem ; and Whereas a complete presentation of best methods and appliances in honse- holdl arts would tend toward a solution of the labor problem: Be it enactciL That in connection with an exhibit already undertaken by the Government a si^ecial department shall be provided for making an effective presentation of the best methods and appliances in domestic art. The resolution embodied in the above bill was unanimously in- dorsed by the Woman's International Council, with the argument that large public interests would be served by according to this im- portant sphere of woman's work the dignity which would be be- stowed upon it by such recognition. A domestic science committee was appointed by the council. January 7, 1896, a bill for establishing a bureau of domestic science in the Department of Agriculture was introduced into the Senate by Senator Kyle, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Edu- cation, W'hose wife is the president of the organization. The department of domestic science was introduced into the Illinois State fair in 1890 by Mrs. Palmer and Miss Emma C. Sickels, secre- tary of the national association and president of the Chicago society. This domestic science department consisted of an exhibit of appliances and practice cooking classes of young girls. The Chicago Record advanced $100 for starting this work at the fair. Miss Sickels conducted the classes in 1896 and 1897 and counted it one of the most gratifying experiences in her work that in the second year the young girls were waiting eagerly for the opening of the classes and took up their work where they had left it the year before without forgetting any essential point. Realizing the need that concerted action be taken for establishing these departments of domestic science in connection with the study of agriculture, the following resohition was sent to the Farmers' National Congress in Indianapolis: Whereas the ultimate object of agriculture is the production of food for mankind ; Whereas that object fails in the most essential point if the food which is pro- duced with skill is mined in ])reparation through ignorance: Therefore, be it Resolved, That we. the National Farmers' Congress, use our active influence and effort toward establishing a bureau of domestic science in the Department of Agriculture at Washington and in the various State agricultural fairs, col- leges, and institutes throughout the nation, where best methods and appliances for the preparation of food may be presented in connection with best methods and appliances for its production. 10 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. It was approved, and in the convention meeting in St. Paul, 1897, was officially adopted, and the following committee on domestic sci- ence was appointed by the president of the National Farmers' Congress to act on the resolution : Emma C. Sickels, chairman ; Mrs. John M. Palmer, Springfield, 111.; Mrs. James H. Kyle, Aberdeen, S. Dak.; Mr. John M. Stahl, secretary National Farmers' Congress; Hon. William H. Liggett, dean Minnesota AgTicultural College; Mrs. H. Thane Miller, Cincinnati, Ohio; Hon. Franklin Dye, secretary New Jersey State board of agriculture, and F. E. Dawley, director farmers' institutes, New York State. Those efforts have been in the direction of '' promoting and devel- oping systematic knowledge of best methods and appliances for domestic art." The other object of the corporation has also received active atten- tion, namely : " Best food for the greatest number." In order to meet and OA^ercome the tendency to leave all practical study and presenta- tion of foods in the hands of those " commercially interested," who were only too apt to make representations that would sell the goods regardless of merit, the following resolutions Avere passed at the regu- lar meeting of the Chicago Domestic Science Association, held Mon- day, January 18, 1897: Whereas the interests of the i»rodiicer. distrilmter, mid consumer are mutual, and whatever tends to the advantaj^e of the one pi-oniotes the welfare of the other ; Whereas in the production, mannfactui-e, and distribution of food it is for the mutual advantage of producer and consumer that a high standard be established and maintained, fiot only in preparation of food for the mark(4. but also in the home ; Whereas the Domestic Science Association is organizwl for placing the best food before the greatest number of people: Therefore, be it Resolved, That we, the members of the Domestic Science Association of Chi- cago, will use our active inlluence and co()i)eration with tlie producers, manu- facturers, and distributei's of food products toward a more intelligent and adequate solution of the food problem, and for a higher standard in the quality and use of food in the various stages of production, manufacture, and prei)aration. This was the basis of the National Pure Food Association, an asso- ciation composed of men and women of national reputation who are directly interested in foods from the medical, sociological, and educa- tional standpoint, having on its board of directors such names as that of Dr. S. J. Jones, ex-president of the American Academy of Medicine; Prof. E. J. James, president of the American Academy of Political and Social Science; O. L. Deming, editor of Chicago Grocer; Tarleton H. Bean, Prof. G. Bamberger, Mrs. A. E. Paul, Mr. W. H. Phillips, and others.* '■" UESOLUTION nv WHICH THE NATIONAL PURE POOU ASSOCIATION WORKS WITPI AND THROUGH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. Whereas the health and welfare of human life s(^ largely depend upon the nutritive value and purity of food; Whereas not only are our commercial reputations and interest at liome and abroad iniured by the manufacture and sale of s])urious and adulterated foods, but also human life and health are .1eoi)ardized : Therefore, be it Resolved. That we will seelv to secure and to have enforced uniform national laws by which business integrity and public welfare may be protected. Be if furthev resolved. That we nse our active influence and effort toward more general knowledge of the use of the best foods. BUEEAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. H Acting in cooperation with the Pure Food Association, the Domestic Science Association gave lectures and demonstrations of foods in the important clubs and organizations in Chicago during 1897. The danger to the permanent benefit by poorly prepared '^ teachers " made this resolution necessary. The following was adopted March 27, 1897: Be it further resolved. That our influence and (•()()]>er!it!<)n shall be j^Miided by merit, without favor or prejudice to any: strivinj; to develop and maintain a high standard of food for the.marlvet and the home, opposing that which is of low grade or makes false pretense for the salve of gain, and that we urge that those associated with us give us their sincere cooperation in promoting a high standard in preparation, of foods, discountenancing those who ignorantly or dishonestly follow methods of instruction not founded on knowledge or fact. In February the domestic science committee of the Farmers' Con- gress gave the corn exhibit of the Corn Convention in Chicago. Washington City is now the center of action. The plan of the organization is to have a limited working- member- ship, who can readily keep in touch with the development of the cen- tral objects, and by continuous action avoid the interruptions and confusion apt to result from frequently changing large bodies. Mrs. James H. Kyle, wife of chairman of Senate Committee on Labor and Education; Mrs. John M. Palmer, wife of Ex-Senator Palmer, of Illinois ; Mrs. Charles W. Fairbanks, Mrs. George Stevens, Mrs. Jennie Shepard, Miss Emma C. Sickels ( organizer ),>Irs. E. J. Loomis, Mrs. David Alton, Mrs. Charles Babcock, Mrs. James H. Krebs, Mrs. Rufus Bartlett, and Mrs. Jessie Patten Milner are among those actively identified with the Domestic Science Association. The work is supported entirely by the personal contributions of the directors of the association. Resolutions sent to Woman's Christian Temperance Union in 1897 : Whereas proper food is a vital element in the problem of temperance; Whereas instruction in the principles of nutritive value of food as a preventive of the need of stimulants would be a most effective education in temperance; Whereas instruction in quality, use, and preparation of food is a logical sequence to the investigation and experiments in agriculture undertaken at the public expense: Therefore, be it ResolvefL That we, the Woman's Christian Tem])erance Tnion. will take action toward the development of education in the nutritive value of foods at the various centers throughout the nation where investigation and experiments are being conducted, at public expense, in the production of food. This resolution was sent from the Domestic Science Association of Chicago. [CORPORATE SEAL.l EAIMA C. vSiCKELS, President. Martha H. Krebs, Heeretarji. Mrs. David Alton, ForiHcr /'resident !>!()t(t/i Side Woiiiuii'h CJiristidti Teniperanee JJni(rn. Mrs. Charles Babcock, Former Secretary Houtli Side \Voii}(iirs! Chriittian Teinperanee Union. Mrs. E. .J. LooMis. Coinmittee. Copies of this resolution were sent to the local executive committee of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, to the Illinois State Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and to the national conven- tion, where they Avere referred to the committee on resolutions. The Domestic Science Association was informed that a '' committee would be aj^pointed in this important w^ork." This has been done. 12 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. Much missionar}^ work has been done in the study of foods by the Domestic Science Association, which has branched out in unexpected directions, and both directly and indirectly bears evidence of the soundness of the principles and practicability of its methods. Following is a copy of bill recently introduced in the United States Senate : A BILL to eslablisli a bui't'au of domestic science. Be it enacted hy the i