The Penn's Grove record., 1899-05-12
THE PURE FOOD INQUIRY.
Startling Testimony Heard by the
Senatorial Committee in Chicago.


CHICAGO, Ill. (S~peciaD-,The Senatorial
Pure Food Investigating Committee has
heard some startling testimony in regard
to the Rdulteration OF food products which
may proloug It's session considerably. Pro-
fessor A. S. Mitchell, chief chemist Of the
Wisconsin Dairy and Food Commission,
made the sworn statement that nearly
every butcher in Illinois used preserving
liquids Oh scraps OF meat which they laid
aside for the manufacture of hamburger
steaks and other alleged delicacies.
Tho chemist first told of his test of a
liquid known as "freezine." Professor
Mitchell said hat the stuff had been used
extensively by farmers to keep milk and
butter, it being the custom to mix 1t with
the former In small quantities and pour
quarts of 1t into watts for the preservation
OF butter.
This 'freezine' | have found to be moth
ing less than almost pure formic aldehyde,"
narrated the expert. ''This Is q chemical
that acts disastrously upon the tissue of
the stomach, and l can only surmise the
results wien milk diluted with 1t Is used
constantly by a family. Where butter is
placed In watts filed with this stuff the por-
Gus commodity takes up no small amt
OF the liquid with Il result that can only be
coniectured."
The professor proceeded to tell Of his ex-
periments with a fluid sold extensively to
butchers forthe purpose of making their
hamburger steaks last and keep up a
healthy appearance.
"This liquid contains In great percentage
what is known as sulphide of soda, with a
complement of coloring matter" he con-
tinued. at Is styled an antisepttc, and in
certain respects Is. 1t must be borne in
mind, however, hat where fermentation
and waste are arrested the digestive prop
critics are consequently destroyed"
DR.. Wiley, the Government expert who
examined the antiseptic without going on
the stand, said he identified it as practical
ly the same chemical which was used dur
ing his experience at n medical college to
preserve cadavers, and was now OCCASION
ally put to service in disinfecting houses
where smallpox patients resided.
The common basis for the majority OF
jellles manufactured nowadays, according
to several witnesses, are the cores and
parings of apples, utilized after they have
been evaporated. This substance. 1t was
claimed. is mixed with glucose In large
quantities, with sugar in small quantities,
and then colored and favored to suit the
outside design on the package.
Fear of social degradation, according to
William ~Broadwell, keeps many a million
aire of Chicago from acknowledging the
fact that he uses ole~omargarine in place OF
pure butter. Not only do the very best
people of this city buy this cheaper grade
Of butter, " he said, and would take moth
ing else in place of it. but they are the
ones who are the first to whisper to the
dealer for u reduction in the price.
Mr.. Broadwell was called before the
committee with several others to explain
why the internal revenue law regulating
the stamping Of all packages OF oleomar-
garine were not enforced.
A. Heller. of Chicago, a manufacturer of
'Freezine" and "Rosaline," preservatives
used by buttermakers, declared that those
articles were not injurious to health and
gave the formula of making them secret
ly, as he did not wish the secrets of the
trade made public by the newspapers.
Several witnesses testified that many
frauds were practissd by dealers in ''but-
t%erine," who sold the article as genuine
butter.