29 



A writ of error has taken this decision to the United States Supreme Court, where it 

 is now pending. Meanwhile another case has gone to the State supreme court, rais- 

 ing additional points; so that this law is now practically of no effect and will not 

 be until the supreme court sustains it. The laws relative to marks on tubs, marks 

 on wrappers, giving notice by restaurant keepers, etc., are fairly well enforced and 

 have done much to prevent the irregular sales of oleomargarin. In fact, the most 

 of it that is sold in this State at present is sold by agents for the large wholesalers, 

 who sell only by the tub and then only on orders, so that most of the goods so sold 

 arc purchased knowingly by the consumer, and there is no element of deceit in the 

 transaction so far as I am at present advised. 



So far as dairy products arc concerned, I do not see what effect a national law could 

 have 111 promoting the efficiency of our laws, but there would be great gain if tho 

 laws of the different States could be similar. In the matter of oleomargarin, which, 

 in a State like Massachusetts, is received entirely from other States, there being no 

 manufactory here, national legislation might possibly be of some assistance. 



From Eben M. Holbrook, refiner of champagne cider for bottling, 

 South Sherborn, Mass.: 



By the unanimous vote of the Fruit-Growers', Cider and Cider-Vinegar Makers' 

 Association of Massachusetts, a request was made of the Senators and Representa- 

 tives in Congress from this State to render such assistance as they could towards the 

 enactment of the Paddock pure-food bill at the time it was before Congress. 



MICHIGAN. 



From J. S. Foster, manager Genesee Fruit Company, Lansing Mills, 

 Lansing, Mich. : 



We are heartily in favor of a national food and drug law that will compel all 

 manufacturers to brand their products by their true names. While we have no evi- 

 dence that would be worth anything to you, we do know that there is scarcely an 

 article of food offered by the grocers throughout the country that is not adulterated. 



Cider is adulterated to a less degree, perhaps, than almost any other drink or food 

 product you might mention. It consists mostly in compositions of water and sugar 

 with apple extract colored to look like cider. It is not very injurious but is a fraud 

 and injures the honest manufacturer. Genuine cider is sometimes charged to such 

 a degree with salicylic acid to hold it sweet, as to make it, in our opinion, injurious 

 to health. As to vinegar, we used to find sulphuric acid quite frequently, but the 

 chief adulteration of vinegar at present is water. Some manufacturers get it down 

 so fine as to get it about three times as much water as vinegar. We have just 

 tested a sample of vinegar sold for 40 grains strength and for pure apple-cider vine- 

 gar that showed but 19 grains acidity and not a particle of cider about it. Grocers 

 have no means of testing it except by taste and they are defrauded in about 90 per 

 cent of the vinegar they buy. Corn vinegar is colored with burnt sugar and sold in 

 about 90 per cent of cases for cider vinegar. 



We would be very much pleased to see a law passed that would shut out such 

 shams. It Would be a good thing for the consumer and for the dealer and manufac- 

 turer of honest goods. 



MINNESOTA. 



From Noyes Bros. & Cutler, St. Paul, Minn.: 



We do not think children's prepared foods are adulterated. We do not think 

 pharmaceutical preparations of respectable houses are adulterated. Essential oils 

 are adulterated. Substitutes are common. Medicinal powders are not always the 

 best. Just where adulteration begins and ends, it is hard to say. A ground mus- 

 tard not perfectly pure is adulterated but is as good for many purposes and for some 

 purposes better than the full strength mustard. 



