The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-07
Commissioner Mcdonald to Pros
soute Delinquent Dealers.
STATUTE WILL BE ENFORCED.
Analyses of Several Brands Of Food
Products Demonstrate Their
Spurious Quality-They Are Not
as n Rule Injurious 10 Health
Commissioners serves Notice ON
such Dealers to Observe the Law.

Criminal complaints. charging state rner-
chants with selling articles OF food In yio-
lation OF the White pure food law, PASSED
oy the last legislature, are shortly to be
nled by Pure Food Commissioner e. A.
Mcdonald BY analyses made by the state
chemist of articles Of food procured in the
open market by the commissioner, 1t has
been discovered that In spite Of the notices
served last summer by Mr.. Mcdonald, rer-
chants In many cities OF the sta.e continue
10 sell adulterated articles of food without
complying with the terms Of the law, which
compels them to label the spurious goods
as adulterated.
Mr. Mcdonald has Just returned from
trip over the state. made for the purpose
OF ascertaining how the pure food dairy
laws are working. Several weeks ago Mr..
Mcdonald procured in Seattle. Tacoma,
Spokane, Walla Walla, Chehalis, Everett
and other cities In the state samples II
food products which he had reason to be.
Heve were authorizations These have since
been anaiyzel by the state chemist Mt Pull
man, and on returns made 10 the pure
food commissioner prosecutions will be IN
stituted at once.
Mr. Mcdonald Is very careful what state
ments he makes for publication at this
time. considering the fact that while no
criminal proceedings have begun, yet
papers are to be shortly filed with the pros
ecuting authorities The commissioner
made this statement. however, yesterisv:
II have ascertained the fact that num-
Der of food products and articles Of COM
mon consumption are being offered for
sale by merchants In the state. despite the
provisions Of the law. This ONCE gave the
grocers ample time in which to clean their
shelves of adulterated goods or mark them
in accordance with the provisions Of the
law. Yet, as a matter OF fact, the law
is now being violated.
II purpose TO enforce the law, and have
notified the merchants who have offended
that they will be Immediately prosecuted.
The articles which have been sold contrary
to the law are, among others. vinegar.
hops. catsup and fiavoring extracts / have
ascertained definitely that certain BRANDS OF
which contain foreign matter, although not
injurious to health.
"I have served notice on the offending
merchants to pay their fine at once and
cease selling the adulterated goods except
when they are marked plainly as adulter-
ated, or as compounds. according to the
wording of the state law"
In some cases II IL expected that the man.
ufacturers Of the articles complained Of will
pay the fine of the merchants selling them.
Inasmuch as every grocer fears the pub
licity attending his conviction on the
charge of selling adulterated or spurious
goods. It Is naturally to be expected that
in the majority of cases the law will be
complied with.
Second avenue merchant paid a fine
in Judge Austin's court Tuesday for SELL
Ing process" butter as creamery product.
This case was discovered by Commissioner
Mcdonald. The dealer paid a fine of SIS,
and promised not to infringe the law
again.