Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1891-11-07
A MILLION A YEAR.
Lottery and Prize Schemes Used to
sell Alum and Ammonia
Baking Powders.

A New York concern, manufacturer
OF an ammonia baking powder, boast:
that its yearly profits are over million
dollors. While, perhaps, none of the
makers of alum powders individually
can show so large earnings Jet theil
profits are enormous.
A business $50 profitable will always
attract 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 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 attractive ap-
pearance, but of small intrinsic value or
cost is given with each purchase or a
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 con-
sumption by the public which has
reached an extent which is truly alarm
ing.
The highest authorities of ali coun-
tries condemn the use Of alum in bread
without reserve. Ia America the most
distinguished physicians, chemists and
hyglenists have declared that the traffic
in alum baking powders should be sup
pressed by law In England and France
where the subject of pure food, and its
effect upon the system, mas been more
fully considered ard made the subject
of extended experiments by the scientists
SO serious matter IS the use OF alum in
bread or other food considered t. be,
that most stringent laws have been
enacted to prevent it. These laws are
rigid y 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,
biscuits or cake would suffer severe pen.
altles.
The i'll effects upon the system Of food
raised by alum baking powders are the
more danger Gus because of their insId-
uOuS IDdEdCJ6T- II NDuiu be I6SS udD-
gerous to the community were it fatal
at once, for then such food would be av-
oided; but their deleterious action
because imperceptible at first is 10 less
certain.
The puckering effect which alum has
when taken in the mouth is familiar to
everyone. Physicians say this same eff
feet is produced by 1t upon the delicate
coats OF the stomach and in test:nes.
WHAT housewife would take home to
her family a can of alum or amonia
baking powder if she knew it? Such
powders not only undermine the sys-
tenn, but it is pointed ont that ammonia
taken into the system in even intnetis-
NAL doses day after day, lmparts to the
complexion a sallow and blotched ap-
pearance.
1t is safe to discard all baking pow
ders sold with prize or gift.
What MISSIONER are the words Sab
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 CT culars these
words absolutely pure; as matter OF
fact they are absolutely Poor" as
shown by official examinations.