Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1891-11-03
A MILLION 4 YEAR.
Lottery and Prize Schemes used to Sell
Alum and Amonia Bak-
ing Powders.

A New York concern, manufacturers OF
an ammonia baking powder boasts that
its yearly profits are over a million dollars
While, perhaps, none of the makers Of
alum powders Individually can show SO
large earnings yet their profits are enor-
nous.
A business 40 profitable, will alwaya at
tract to itself those whose greed will cause
them to utterly disregard the effect their
traffic may have upon the health or life Of
others.
Alum baking powder are introduced
largely by gifts, prizes and lottery
schemes. A piece of glassware or china,
a child's wagon, sled, pewter spoon
or some other article of attractive appear
ance, but of small intrinsic value or cost is
given with each purchase or number is
attached to the can which entities the
customer to similarly numbered article
or to prize of some kind. 1t is in some
such way as this that the trade in alum
and ammonia baking powders, which has
now attained such giant proportions and
their consumption by the public which
has reached an extent which is truly
alarming.
The highest authorities of all countries
condemn the use Of alum in bread with
out reserve. In America the most distin-
guished physical Q chemists and hygien.
lists have declared that the traffic in alum
baking powders should be suppressed by
law. In England and France where the
subject of pure food, and it's effect upon
the system, has been more fully consd-
cred and made the subject of extended
experiments by the scientists, 80 serious a
matter is the use of alum in bread or
other food considered to be, that most
stringent laws have been enacted to pre-
vent it. These laws are rigidly enforced,
and the sale of alum baking powders
would not be permitted for an hour. Any
one who attempted to make them for use
in food, or attempted to use them for
raising bread, biscuit Of cake would suffer
severe penalties.
The ill effect upoa the system of food
raised by alum baking powders are the
more dangerous because of their in
sidious character. 1t would be less dan
gerous to the community were it fatal at
once, for then such food would be avoid
ed buttheir deeterious action because
at first is no less certain.
The puckering effect which alum has
when taken in the month is familiar to
everyone. Physicians say this same
effect is produced by it upon the delicate
coats of the stomach and intestines.
What housewife would take home to
her family can Of alum or ammonia
baking powder if she knew it. Such
powders not only undermine the system,
but it is pointed out that ammonia taken
into the system IN even infinetismal doses
day after day, imparts to the complexion
a sallow and blotched appearance.
1t is safe to discard all baking powders
sold with prize or gift.
What misnomer are the words "Abso-
lutely Pure" as applied to baking pow
ders. Two of the largest selling brands,
one made from alum, the other contain.
ing ammonia and both of these drugged
baking powders have stamped upon their
labels and circulars these words absolute
ly pure, as matter of tact they are CAB
solutely Poor" as shown by official ex-
aminations.