The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-05-10
SOLD IMPURE,
PUTR|D AND
TAINTED FOOD
Abe Stein in the Laws
Clutches.
DOCKERY MAKES THE ARREST
RAIDS VILE PREMISES ON
SIXTH STREET.
DoCKERY MAKES THE ARREST
RAIDS VILE PREMISES ON
SIXTH STREET.
Large Quantities of Decomposed
Goods of All Descriptions Are
Coniscated and De-
stroyed.

Chief Food Inspector James P Dockery
and Deputies Lahanay and Davis made a
descent on the premises at 40415 Sixth
street yesterday and condemned and con-
fiscated a large quantity of putrid and
vermin infested goods. The place is own
ed by Abe Stein, who was in the law s
clutches about a year ago for a similar
offense but escaped conviction on
the technicality that he was not
caught in the actual selling of
the vile stuff. This time Dockery
says he has a clear case against Stein, as
he witnessed the purchase of a can of
salmon for cents which, when opened,
was found to be rotten.
Stein was Immediately placed under ar
rest, but secured his release on $50 bail
The section of the law under which Dock
cry acted provides that it shall be a mis-
demeanor to place food on sale if it con-
sists wholly or in part of diseased. de
composed, putrid, infected, tainted or rot
ten animal or vegetable substance or
article.
Nearly all the goods in STEMS store
come under this category. There were
boxes of figs, jellies, dried fruit, 'swelled ;
tins of sardines and cans of fruit and
other articles for consumption, which
were moldy, ill-smelling and filled with in
sect life. Sacks of water soaked chocolate
and coffee which the worms had burrow-
ed through, were lying. around in full
was able to ply his trade without being
discovered before this. The vile stuff will
be sent 10 the fertilizing works this
morning.
Stein sold his goods at a ridiculously
low rate. For instance, salmon and jellies
could be bought for cents a can, though
his fellow-tradesmen in the neighborhood
asked 10 cents or more for them. Stein
had provided himself with a number of
new labels, which he put on the cans, not
even taking the trouble to remove the old
discolored label. The Banner Packing
Company and SOnoma Preserve Company
were his favOrites, though he used others
to place on the spurious goods.
When questioned in regard to his ques-
tangled in i his answers. First he Said that
the stuff was not for sale and then in the
next breath that he sold only the pack
ages which had a small tag He adj
but he explained its presence by saying
! that the scaVenger only came around
once a week to take away what was not
good. He bought the goods at auction
and gave guarantee to his customers
that what they bought was all right or
they could have their money back. He
naively said that every. can was opened
himself 1t is said that whoever bought
a can of salmon from him never bought
a second one Stein claims that he only
did a business of about so cents a day,
but this is not believed, as he pays SIS
rent.
Stein is a brother of the notorious
'Gashie" Stein who was sent to San
Quentin for counterfeiting some years
ago. He has been at his present place of
business for nine years. The foul odors
which emanate from the place are I'M
bearable
The punishment to which Stein is liable
under the pure-food law is a fine of from
$25 to 500 or imprisonment for from 80 to
100 days or both.