A special committee appointed by the association to investigate the referee board, reported adversely upon its findings.
Dr. Russell H. Chittenden of New Haven, Conn., a member of the referee board, said that three-tenths of a gram of benzoate of soda was administered daily to each of six young men subjects during two months. In the one month each man received per day during the first week six-tenths of a gram, the second week one gram, the third week two grams and the fourth week four grams.
"From our experiments, only one logical conclusion seems possible," said Dr. Chittenden. "Benzoate in small and large doses up to four grams per day is without deleterious effects upon the human system."
Dr. Remsen, in discussing the report of the referee board, said in part:
"Since the appointment of the board by President Roosevelt my dealings have been directly with Secretary Wilson. The board understands we have nothing to do with the administration of the pure food law. Our function is to answer such questions as the secretary may put. In regard to benzoate of soda the board was asked to determine two points:
"1. Whether benzoate of soda in such quantities as are likely to be used is or is not injurious to health.
"2. Whether the quality or strength of a food to which benzoate of soda has been added is thereby reduced, lowered, or injuriously affected.
"You know the conclusions to which the board has been led by its work. We agreed upon the form of the report and the knowledge I had gained during the investigation of the subject was of such a character that I felt justified in signing the report."
Dr. Remsen said he had nothing to do with the actual experimenting with benzoate of soda.
