Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-10-23
A MILLION A YEAR.
Lottery and Prize Schemes Used to
Sell Alum and Ammonia Baking
Powders.

A New \ Ork concern, manufacturers
of an ammonia baking powder boasts
that its yearly profits are over a mil
lion dollars. While, perhaps, none OF
the makers OF alum powders individu-
ally can show so large earnings, yet
their profits are cnormnns.
A busi mess so profitable, will always
attract to itself those whose greed will
cause them to utterly disregard the ef-
feet their traffic may have upon the
health or life of others.
Alum baking powders are introduced
largely by gifts, prizes and lottery
schemes. A piece of glassware or
china, child's wagon, sled, pewter
spoon or some other article of attract
i've appearance, but of small intrinsic
value or cost is given with each pur-
chase or number is attached to the
can which entities the customer to a
similarly numbered article or to a
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 coun-
tries condemn the use OF alum in
bread without reserve. In America
the most distinguished physicians,
chemists and hygienists have declared
that the traffic in alum baking pow.
ders should be suppressed by law. In
England and France where the subject
of pure food, and its effect upon the
system, has been more fully considered
and made the subject of extended
experiments by the scientists, so
serious matter is the use OF alum in
bread or other food considered to be,
that most stringent laws have been en-
acted to prevent 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 at
tempted to use them for raising bread,
biscuit or cake would suffer severe PEN
alties.
The ill effects upon the system of
food raised by alum baking powders
a=s-the- most dangerous beeause--ef
their insidious character. 1t would be
less dangerous to the community were
it fatal at once, for then such food
would be avoided but their deleterious
action because imperceptible at first is
no less certain.
The puckering effect which alum
has when taken in the mouth is fa-
miliar 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 sys-
tenn, but it is pointed out that am
monia taken into the system in even
infinetisimal doses day after day, I'M
parts to the complexion a sallow and
blotched appearance.
1t is safe to discard all baking pow
ders sold with prize or gift.
What misnomer are the words "Ab.
solutely Pure" as applied to baking
powders. Two of the largest selling
brands, one made from alum, the
other containing ammonia and both of
these drugged baking powders have
stamped upon their labels and circu-
lars these words absolutely pure, as
matter OF fact they are Absolutely
Poor" as shown by official examina-
tiOnS.