The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-22
BOGUS PAINTS AND OILS.

One might we'll think that the long prevailing
cheapness of pure white lead and linseed oil
would make the adulteration or imitation of
these articles an Improbable business. 1t is,
therefore, surprising to find, by careful inquiry,
that the market is still largely supplied with
Imitation leads and worthless compounds, mas
querading as "pure lead in oil,' or under other
misle idng and fictitious labels, and that adul-
terated linseed oil, or bogus oils containing no
llnseed. are to be found In almost every interior
town. We do not mean to imply by This ge'-
graphical distinction that the New York mar
ket is free from this class of oils. but their
manufacture and sale appear to be much more
extensive else where.
For years the paints brought most consplcu-
ously to the notice of the consumer have been
the ready mixed products and the demand for
these compounds has opened field for fraud
that has been largely occupied by the cheapest
mixtures. These have In the long run, proved
costly to the consumer and have caused him.
for the lack of correct understanding of the
relation which such paints bear to pure pig
ments, either to regard the whole list of latter
day paints with distrust, or to place himself I'M
reservedly at the mercy of the paint quack.
Unfortunately, the consumer naturally knows
but little concerning the qualities which make
paint most desirable for use under certain
conditions. and is seldom led to make per-
sonal investigation of the subject. His infor-
nation has, therefore, been gained mainly from
the circulars of the mixed paint manufacturers
which have been largely directed against lead
or from the dealer In paints from whom he
dealt, in whose intelligence and integrity he
has blind trust To the extent that these
representations have persuaded him to believe
that ready mixed compounds are better than
pure lead, or to trust the statements of some
unknown maker as to the quality of his product
just so far they have left him a prey to un-
scrupulous mixers and vendors. The result has
been experiences such as to make him distrus:-
full of all paints whatsoever.
The necessity thus brought about for the max
ers of honest goods doing some educational
work among consumers. as well as among those
dealers who have no special familiar .ty with
paints. but handle them simply as merchandise,
has been apparent to many. but few have I'M
dertaken the work. Two years ago the Ma
tional Lead Company began such a work in
the advertising columns of the class of publica-
lions which reached the homes of consumers
and any one familiar with the business, who
has observed the character of the advertising,
cannot have failed to be impressed with the
benefit which ills likely to exert upon the trade
as whole. The Company, from its prominent
position among the industrial corporations of
the country, and with the prestige of the long
line of Old-establshed brands of white lead
which 1t controls, was in position to speak
with authority upon this subject, and when 1t
took up the cudgel in behalf of pure white lead
1t began an educational effort which was GER
tain to command attention.
The Company in its utterances has shown no
antagonism to any form of paint, except those
based upon unsclentific methods and misead-
ing claims, but has supported the position which
the more Intelligent and honest painters have
assumed. On the other hand, the plain facts
concerning paint authorizations with which tie
consumer has thus been made familiar have led
TO keener discrimination on his part in favor
OF pure and durable paints for his buildings
Inc efforts OF the Company, In the course it has
taken and followed with no little boldness,
have. therefore, been equally for the public
dement, and that of the makers and distributors
OF honest paints. They might well encourage
more OF the latter to similar effort, In which
the makers of pure linseed oil might join with
salutary effect upon the quality OF much of the
oil that is sold to consumers throughout the
country
The combinations of mineral and non-drylng
animal and vegetable oils sold in many local
tiles, if employed in the mixing of paints, how
ever pure the pigment may be. cannot fall to
yield disappointing results on wood or iron
work. If the claim that such oils are pure lin
seed is unchalenged, the reputation of pure
oils as vehicle for paint is damaged. and the
opportunities for makers of the cheap COM
pounds is CORRESPONDENCE widened. The value
OF pa MT dep 3nds equally upon the integrity of
the pigment and of the oil. and the adultera-
tion of Ell her cannot fail to be damaging TO DO b.
AT the same time. the safety of dealers. no
less than of consumers. lies in the use of such
paints and oils as bear the brands of makers
whose reputation and commercial standing are
known and are beyond question. The most
successful dealers and painters of the country
to-day are these who have confined themselves
to goods from makers whose guarantee of pur
ity could be unhesitatingly accepted, and their
success proves how largely the public use and
liberation of inferior products is the result of
ignorance rather than choice. - OIL, PAINT
AND DRUG REPORTER.