The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-19
Corporation Counsel to De-
termlne If 1t Should Be
Sold by Grocers Under
Restrictions Like Those
on Other Liquors.
Dangerous Substance to
Handle, and Rank Poison
If Taken Internally, Gen
orally Producing Blind
ness or Death.

Public interest has been aroused in
the question raised by John H Ma
gruder, whether grocers shall be allow
ed 70 sell wood alcohol without restric-
lions further than that put upon ordi-
nary intoxicants. 1t appears that other
grocers are situated similarly TO Mr..
Magruder, and the forthcoming opinion
from the Corporation Counsel on the
subject is awaited with some anxiety.
Mr.. Magruder explained TO a Times re-
porter recently the position in which
he was placed in regard to the sale of
this poison. He said a number OF his
customers used it for feeding The lamps
under chafng dishes. So far as he knew
this was the only use made of it. But
wood alcohol is a rank poison, and ii
drunk by any person by design or other
wise is likely to produce blindness or
death. Moreover, wood alcohol is very
volatile substance and by allowing it to
escape In a room from an uncorked bot
tie, in little while an explosion might
occur disastrous in its effects.
Labeled as Poison.
Mr. Magruder said he did not care to
carry wood alcohol in stock and never
did so. orders for it. perhaps ten a week,
were filled at neighboring drug store.
It was sold usually by the pint or
quart, or gallon. as the case might be.
The custom in Mr.. Magruder's store was
to label the package poison" with
skull and cross bones. thus indicating
the character of the substance in the
bottle or jug.
Mr.. Magruder said the use of wood
alcohol was on the increase, and he
thought If il was to become substance
of general use. and grocers were allowed
to handle it under their liquor licenses.
he would keep it in stock and derive the
usual profit from it. Mr. Magruder, as
far as he could, advised his patrons to
use grain alcohol as being better and
safer. but many customers would have
the other because it was cheaper. There
fore, as means of protection to him
self and other grocers, Mr.. Magruder
laid the matter before the Commission
ers with a view to having an official
declaration on the subject If it was
found that grocers could not sell wood
alcohol because it is dangerous
poison. then he could say TO his patrons
he was not allowed 10 sell it and could
decline to fill their orders. II If was
found that the grocers could sell 1t as
they do grain alcohol, under simple pre-
cautions. then he would be protected.
Cause of the Appeal.
An incident occurred few weeks ago
which led to the appeal to the NUM-
cipai authorities. One of Mr. Magruder's
patrons purchased a bottle of grain alco-
hol For about two days it worked well
under the chatting dish. The third day it
s2luttered and gave the user much
trouble The fourth day it would not
burn at all. The half used bottle was
returned to Mr. Magruder. and a simple
test showed the alcohol TO be half water.
The inference was that one OF the house
servants had drunk a portion of the al
cohol and had replenished the bottle
from the water pitcher. Mr.. MagrudeI
argued that II the supply had been
wood alcohol the servant might have
been blinded or killed according 10 the