The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-15
New York, July 9, 1906.

New York, July 9, 1906.
Editor Minneapolis Jouranl:
Dear Strive have been in the pre-
serving business for sixty years. Have
transitional reputation for quality of
the highest grade, and this has been our
pride. Many American families have
used our preparations for three genera
tions, and to them our brands are house
hold words.
Having been most discourteously, I'M
Justly and even brutally treated by the
nesota, Mr.. Edward K. Slater, who has
the advantage of us in position and the
power to do as he pleases, which ad,
vantage and power he has made use OF
in the most pcrsecutive and vindlctlve
manner. we are driven to protect our
selves by a public statement OF facts,
and to strive to reach the consuming
public of your state by the most tho
rough publicity possible, not being able
to obtain any satisfaction from the de-
partment, in the present state OF mind
Of it's chief.
We give herewith true statement of
matters as they stand to date. We re-
ceived the following pro lorna notice
from the Dairy and Food Department:
STATE OF MINNESOTA,
Dairy and Food Department.
st. Paul, Feb. %, 1906.
Messrs. Gordon & Dilworth,
New York.
On Jan. %, 1906, Inspector I. G. Fow-
Ter took from the stock Of the c. S.
Bracket company, Minneapolis, sam
pie of Preserved Blackberries, which
has been analysed and classed as lille
gal by our chemist. Sample is colored
with coal tar dye.
Yours respectfully,
g. Milton Trenham, Sec.
A few DAYS later we were advised by
the G. S. Bracket company of the same
fact. and that the commissioner intend
ed to prosecute them, and wanted to
know if we would stand suit or plead
guilty. Our books for five years back
showed no purchases of Blackberries
by this house, and We promptly in
formed it that we should do neither,
and if it had any such old goods on
hand, it should be ashamed to have Of
fered them, if it had any regard for its
reputation, independent of brand; that
our responsibility had long since ceased
and we were not accountable for what
might have happened in that period.
To the commissioner we promptly re-
piled, stating that there must be some
mistake either in sample, confusion in
laboratory, or error in confoundlng a
natural with an artificial color; that
we had no need for color in blackber-
ries and have never used it; that we
had had similar as well as other
charges made in the past by prom1nent
parties. but in no case was anything
found on revision of analysis. but what
was natural to the fruit; that we were
particeps in securing the passage OF the
present New York food law, upor
which all others have been based, IL
many eases the laws being almost wore
law had long been imperative appar
emily, maybe for lack Of appropria
tions, or possibly in some cases due tt
"honest graft; that the war was nov
on and we hailed the rising sun Of foot
investigation and hoped that It NOR MOI,
and that we might live long enough tt
become something else than nation O.
"honest grafters' and "moral periur
ers.'
Repeating our denial Of ever having
used the color charged or any other
as it would be ridiculous, being an un
necessary expense, we invited furthe,
We waited till April 4, 1906, and NJ
reply coming, we then wrote, calling
attention to our unanswered letter ant
also advising him of the fact that on
of his agents had entered the stor
of H. W. Kingsbury at Winona ane
informed the proprietor that our pre-
serves "were undoubtedly illegal,' 81
Shat Mr.. Kingsbury was impelled t.
write us to know what disposition h
could make Of them.
This letter was answered by Com
missioner Slater on April 10, 1906, ask
ing for definite information, as the
had no record Of any condemnation a
Winona, but made no reference to tn
important matter of the original charge
and our letter of February 28th whic
we know had been received and ha
later been referred to by him: For GU
own satisfaction we registered such le
tiers, getting receipts from addresseee..
We replied on April 25th, giving hil
all the information we had, and reques
ing him to communicate directly wit
Mr.. Kingsbury.
On May 5rd Commissioner Slater RI
piled he would do 50, but still no RI
Spouse to our letter of February 28tl
About this time friend gave us
COPY of the Minneapolis "Journal' {
March II, 1906, in which appeared
cross between a report and an int
view of a most damaging nature
quote: 1.-THE state chemist found
don & .DiIworth 81 blackberry Jam. II
retailer called on the manufacturer
who refused to take it off his hand
and said the state department. vi
either mistaken or grating.
Qlu reIuSe TO Gdho UdCh Gue SUOuS II
the reasons already stated; we d
say that there was certainly a mistal
due to one of several possible reason
but it is unaualifedly false that Y
charged "grafting." !,
MI. Slater is also quoted as sayil
that 'he had thorough test mad
proving beyond doubt that the artic
contains coal tar dye,'' and that
would "issue bulletin stating t,
facts, as there is no other way the ma
nfacturer can be reached. - 3.
He is also quoted as saying: g.