Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-03-23
MAPLE SYRUP
ABSOLUTELY PURE

The pure food laws we're enacted to
protect the general public by bringing
to Justice the dealer in impure and
spurious goods; it would therefore be
unfortunate if any reproach were to
be brought upon these laws by any ir-
regularity of hasty or ill-advised ac-
tion in their enforcement. That the
latter sometimes occurs and that m6r-
chants, no matter how conscientious
and circumspect, through a mere
technicaIity are jreadfully embsrrass-
ed or, worse, muloted in fine has been
we'll illustrated by one or more cases
which has occurred in this city.
The standing of Austin, Nichols &
Company, wholesale grooers Of New
York, is we'll known. Any brand bear.
ing their name is in itself a guarantee
of purity and commands the best OF
prices. That impure goods should find
their way to the shelves OF the local
stores through the medium of this firm
up to the present would have been a
proposition to be secuted. 1t has re-
mained for the pure food agents, how
ever. to demonstrate that the reputa-
tion of the wholesaler is no safeguard
against some form of deception.
Among the articles sold to local
merchants by Austin, Nichols 81 Com
pany within a recent date was all ap-
parently very fine brand of maple syr-
up put up in bottles marked: A bso
lutely Pure.
1t was really delicious article and
in consideration Of its absolute"
purity the merchants buying paid
twenty cents per gallon more than the
common run of prices. In due time
the Pure Food Agents in making their
rounds paid Danvile a visit. The
maple syrup fell under their eye and
Notwithstanding the brand aud guar
antee of purity they took samples.
Imagine the surprise OF the meIch-
ants when in due time came q report
from the agents that Austin, Nichols
& Company's maple syrup came in un-
der the ban and that the merchants
handling it would have to pay the
penalty for selling impure food. The
fine imposed was $50. 45.
1t was a clear case of injustice and
the merchants waived a hearing and
appealed to court. Meanwhile a cor
respondence was opened with the sales
men and through them with the House
of Austin, Nichols & Company. The
salesman and the House itself we're
emphatic in their protestations that
they ha not the least suspicion that
there was anything impure about the
maple syrup The wholesale house in
this case stands back of the meroh-
ants and they advise them to contest
the payment to the bitter end.
The pure food agents are authority
for the statement that to find an "ab
solutely" pure article of maple syrup
is practical impossi bility, cane sugar
DtlUR du IU&T6uleuI tIlAI lS IIhely W
show up in the analysis, mostly in in
fnitesimal quantities They agree that
the maple syrup OF Austin, Nichols g.
Company is an exceedingly 6ne article
and probably the best to be obtained.
This in view of the fact that a vast
amount of so-called maple syrup mark
ed compound" is being handled and
is purchased by the unsuspeotinR or
lily. Informed public as maple syrup
tends to weaken the confidence in the
general efficacy of the pure food de.
partment.
That the pure food laws are not
quite what they should be and that as
they now stand a system of prosecution
which in some cases amounts to per
secution" is quite possible is general
ly regarded as true and to remedy the
defect bill is now pending before the
legislature which, il it becomes a law
will prevent the repetition Of such
cases as here described