Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-24
ADuLTERATED Food. :, !,
Dealers Fined 'ssIsr sellinx. lmpure
CideE Vinegar.

$lue4 SNne&ar.
Hearing of the alleged adulterated vine
gar cases was begun this afternoon in the
Police Court before Judge Miller. AS
stated in The Star. Friday last. warrants
were issued that dey on complaint Of Dis
trict Chemist Johfp D. Hird. against
large number Of l8sal dealers, the specific
charge being: "ssiihg an article of food,
to wit, vinegar, not of the nature, sub
stance and quality demanded by the pur-
chaser"
The first case 9ea1ied was that against
Burford L. Osborne. :, whose store Ii at list
and d streets. Mr. Hird testified that July
% last he visited the establishment of Mr..
Osborne and secured there half pint OF
vinegar. The proprietor, however, refused
to accept payment for the same. The
liquid was not cider. vinegar and was not
purchased as such. Its component parts
were acetic acid, water and coloring
matter. By analyses 1t was proved not TO
be of the standard of strength required
by law.
Although Assistant District Attorney
Mullowney argued to the contrary, Judge
Miller held that Mr.. Osborne had re-
fused to accept payment for the vinegar
secured by Mr.. Hird, there had been no
sale, and the case was, therefore, dlS-
missed then and there.
John Braun Of $40 I'd street was next
called as defendant He was charged by
Mr.. Hird with selling as cider vinegar an
article which chemical analysis showed
was not SUCH
Mr.. Braun explained that he bought the
liquid for cider vinegar, and believed 1t to
be cider vinegar. He has been in business
for twenty-five years, he said, and has
been buying vinegar during that period
from reputable local wholesale dealer.
Mr.. Braun admitted that he was Ignorant
that the law required him to secure writ
ten guarantee covering the vinegar from
the party from whom purchased. The bar
rel holding the vinegar, he said: was
case had been made out. said Judge
Miller. and under the law he was required
to impose fine. He expressed the hope
that the local dealers would now acouaini
themselves with the requirements of the
law. and be sure of the quality Of the goods
they sell. Mr.. Braun paid fine of 81.
Frank f. Butterfield of 722 4th street was
next placed on trial. The details of the
| case were the same as those of Mr.. Braun's
| case. and similar fine was imposed anG
paid.
Charles A. Langley Of 922 10th street, 1,
was found had unknowingly violated the
law, and Judge Miller remarked: Il an
very sorry. Mr.. Langley. that l shall have
| to entangle you in the meshes of the law tc
the extent of ST.
Holmes, list and f streets; Jacob Riehl, lOl
| II street, and several of the other dealers
against whom warrants were issued, plead
ed guilty. and paid fines Of s. each.
John w. Coon of I'd and F streets, one Of
| the accused, was dismissed, the court rulinl
| that the vinegar sold by him had practical
| ~ met the requirements. The case agains
Middleton G. German, 101S l street. wa.
also dismissed E. Shane Of SlS 9th stree
! was fined 81
Health Officer Woodward stated to s
Star reporter that it is the intention of tn,
health office to continue to bring case.
| against dealers who are selling adulteratet
articles OF food. The commodities to mex
| receive attention include coffee lard ant
! olive oil.