Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-20
POISON IN BUTTERINE
STRUGGLED INTO NEW YORK AND
SOLD AS BUTTER.

NEW YORK. December 20.-Ten million
pounds OF oleomargarine or butterine, much
OF 1t containing poisonous coloring matter
and great part of it manufactured from
disease-breeding fats, has been forced into
New York city from New Jersey during the
last year, contrary to the law, which pro-
hioits its sale or use.
1hls trafnc has been carried on at great
profit, while DR.. Thomas Darlington has
protested that 1t is no concern of the de-
partment of health, of which he is the
head. Prosecutions have been brought by
the dairy department of the state agricui-
tural commission, but with little effect. as
the report of H. H. Kracke, assistant COM
missioner, shows
The commissioner of internal revenue
from Washington has directed, according
agent in charge of the New York office to
visit the collector of internal revenue Of
New Jersey, examining his records, take
the names of persons in New York to
whom oleomargarine is shipped and see
whether these persons have taken out I'M
der the federal law the proper special tax
stamp necessary for them to be legal han
dlers and sellers of oleomargarine. II we
find in the state of New York persons pur-
chasing, selling and handling oleomargarine
without complying with the federal regula-
lions they will be Immediately prosecuted
in the federal courts. and in that way the
state Of New York receives notice of these
cases."
But If the federal stamp tax has been
paid the internal revenue officials will follow
the long-esta blished precedent of silence.
Infractions of the laws of New York will
be observed and concealed.
In the meantime oieomargarine is sold
without hindrance in all tenement districts.
and, indeed, many INSCRIPTIONS dealers
pass it out as creamery butter at high
prices in the upper parts Of the city. Oleo-
margarine Is served in almost every cheap
restaurant in New York in spite of the
stringent laws prohibiting it's sale.
Poisonous Coloring Used
In almost every one Of the so-called fac
tories that send oleomargarine into New
York the conditions are insanitary beyond
the power of the ordinary person to mag
inc. The employees are as filthy of person
as Of habits. Bones and fats that long since
have passed into the state of decomposition
are used. Colorng matter that frequently
contains poison Is added to give the product
the appearance of butter.
The best, or the least objectionable, of
oleomargarine comes from beef trust pack
ing houses that have convenient branch eS-
Establishments in Jersey City operating I'M
ownership.
Legitimate dealers in butter in this city
have complained frequently and without
avail of the traffic in oieomargarine. Ped
dlers have become so bold that today they
bring oleomargarine across the North river
from New Jersey in broad daylight with
little attempt at concealment While the
state law expressly prohibits the sale of
oleomargarine as such or under any other
name in this state, the Agricultural Depart
ment permits the sale to bakeries and other
similar establishments of large quantities
of the stuff, which the commissioner of in
ternal revenue declares is oleomargarine,
but which is openly advertised and sold in
New York city under various names.