davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13

should be advertised public auction sales but
dishonest hankrupts found means To sell their
property without proper advertisement to IA
vored bidders. There was one case in which
the bankrupt's stock was disposed of at a pri-
vate sale To a relative of the receivers attorney
for $500 This purchaser disposed OF the stock
in three days for $4,000 and ii was again resold
on the day for $4,000. The association.
making this a test case. succeeded in interesting
Judge Holt OF the United States District Court.
in the matter. and as result set OF rules
for auction sales in bankruptcy drawn up,
providing for public advertising in tine news
papers. the printing OF catalogues and other de-
tails This put end to the abuse Further
arrangements made for securing in all cases
the appointment Of appraisers in bankruptcy
who We're experts. also put such snap sales
out OF the question
SThe new bankruptcy law made the trustee in
bankruptcy most important functionary. He
might in any bankruptcy recover hun
dred thousand dollars more for the creditors.
or. if he we're incompetent, neglectful or dis
honest, he might let such large amounts slip
through his fingers. The trustee is chosen by a
majority of the creditors, and naturally where
the creditors not acting together they are
not likely to get the best man,
The association set about securing faithful
and competent trustees In cases where its mem
bers were interested. and to this end, wherever
possible. has sought to control the election OF
the trustee The result OF this policy was that
within two years after the association was
formed proceedings had been instituted by
trustees against bankrupts. In In which
the association interested aggregating hun
dreds OF thousands OF dollars.
The examinations In bankruptcy have been
another phase OF the new law which. admirable
In theory. has often been farcical in practice
BY evasion. by contradictory testimony and by
astonishing lapses of memory concerning i'm
portant transactions where often many thou
sands OF dollars were involved dishonest bank
rupts frequently managed 70 wriggle through
an examination without giving any material
Information whatever. In the recent case OF
Abraham & Isidor J. F'elerman bankrupts
dealers In cloaks and suits In this city exam
tnation proceedings IN which the creditors
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13

wished 10 secure only few facts. dragged over
seven months. while the testimony covered over
100 typewritten pages. a maze of contradictions
which throw no light on the affairs Of the bank.
rupt firm. The association took up the case
and. through its counsel. James. Schell & Elkus
acting for the trustee. secured n decision from
Judge Hough, in the United States District
Court, fining the Fellermans 500 each. and
sending them 10 Jail for TWO months for con-
tempt OF court in giving evasive and csntra-
dictory testimony The decision is expected 70
do away. in large measure, with farcicaI bank
ruptcy examinations. and. according 10 leading
merchants and lawyers. interested in bankruptcy
cases. should mean a saving OF hundreds ~
thousands OF dollars a year 10 merchants and
the public.
Step by step, merchants by cooperation have
been able 10 build UP solid legal structure 70
combat fraudulent bankruptcies. Il is prob
able that fraudulent bankrupts will never be
come extinct, but an intelligent war OF ex-
termination will probably be successful In les
Sening their number.
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
WAR ON FRAUDULENT BANKRUPTS.

tent to snatch what he could from the. wreck
before the others got their hands on 1t. The
conditions favored the most relentless and un-
scrupuiouS in situation in which creditors
were fighting one another and each pulling in 4
different direction. Each seized what he could
and the bankrupt mad, away with what he
could that the honest creditor who could
not degrade himself by joining the pack who
were fighting the assets like wolves over
their prey, and the honest bankrupt who would
not stoop to perjury theft. each came out OF
the scramble in poor shape.
The bankruptcy law Of 1898 brought some
order out OF this chaos 1t provided among
other things. that a bankrupt must submit To a
regular examination In court concerning his
business affairs but the most significant point
In the law was that establishing the trustee in
bankruptcy as hulwark against the dishonest
bankrupt. 1t became the duty of the trustee TO
see that the assets were realized, to that the
bankrupt had hidden away no property and to
make him obey the law in every respect.
But honest merchants were still unorganized
and every failure in which several OF them We're
concerned brought them together as opponents
IN lVO2 the firm OF Kantor & Cohen. clothing
manufacturers, failed after making false anan-
cial statement TO creditor firm. and left boxes
stuffed with cotton wadding and excelsior in
stead OF rygoods Several creditor firms by act
Ing together. caused the conviction of Mr.. Kantor
for grand larceny.
This was the first conviction OF the kind for
twenty years, and It taught the Iperchants the
value of cooperation II they wished to do any
thing toward checking tho fraudulent bank
ruptcies which were costing the drygoods trade
much yearly The result was that fourteen
of the principal drygoods commission houses
started the Merchants Protective Association
for the purpose of prosecuting fraudulent debtors
and their advisers procuring new legislation for
the protection OF merchants enforcing existing
laws making collections and securing settlements
with honest debtors The association has now
grown TO thrice the original membership. and
1t is estimated that during its brief life IT has
saved hundreds OF thousands OF dollars to the
mercantile trade.
One OF the abuses by which creditors were
commonly defrauded IN bankruptcy cases was
ths bankruptcy sale. These, according to law.
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
ATTRACTIVE TOMATO CATSUP-BUT
FRIGHTENED WITH COAL TAR COLOR


known brand of tomato catsup long sold under
the name of Long Island Tomato Catsup,' has
now been named Long Island Style Tomato
Catsup." Horseradsh long sold as Long
Island Horseradish' is now Long Island
Brand Horseradish." The label familiar
brand Of salad oil appears in the same large
type before, Warranted Pure Salad OIL,
but below this the person with good eyeslght
can discern the significant legend, Pressed from
selected Cottonseed" A we'll known cough MKT
ure now appears with this confession printed
upon sticker hugging tightly each bottle sold:
Each teaspoonful contains D mtnims spirit
chloroform and Ito gr. codein." popular
cholera mixture. TO which many sufferer has
flown for relief in the hot summer months, now
greets the public with stiCker attached to 1t
announcing that there is 20 per cent of alcohol
and 80 grains OF opium in every fluid ounce
Though in many cases it comes hard for the
manufacturers of the various foods and medi
cines to own up to their ingredients in this man.
ner and in few there may be shown
tendency to equivocate and .et around the law.
the general disposition. manifested in the
rapidly appearing labels, seems be
desire TO comply with the law in every par
ticular.
One wholesaler put the situation in nut
shell the other day. Said he: LAS far COM
pliance with the law goes, the honest manufaCt-
urer and the honest retailer will comply with
It any way and for the dishonest Ones-well.
there is the provision providing a years i'm
priSonment. 500 fine or both. as penalty
for adulteration misbrandng. staring them
in the face"
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
A WISE ELEPHANT.

Our ine Indian elephant Glnda has no. onlv
srown stouter and taller but he has also devel-
oped In intelligence and sagacity in a manner that
is bound 10 make him famous. The greatest are
fas been exercised with his training food and
everyday life, and thus far il appears 70 be labor
wisely expended. II actions speak for themselves.
he appreciates the attention bestowed upon him
In numerous ways he indicates his complete salts
faction as TO his bill of fare and the kindness OF
the keepers. He knecls az command sautes.
shakes hands and has lately become a banker
Some OF tie devio methods ne employs in bis
particular bans indicate that there viii be serious
trouble unless he mends his ways
II one throws penny on the floor he picks IL up
and drops II into the box above his head, after
which he rings bell with his trunk. Then he
looks for reward II il is not Forthcoming. in
tho sh&pe OF forage biscuits or peanuts. he rings
the bel: until IL does
IL was soon apparent that, although the deposits
were heavy. there also a CORES spOndingIy
heavy shortage. Upon inspecting the books IL was
learned that the teller dropped the cent into ths
box. but afterward very deftly picked IL out and
put IL into his mouth. When the keeper was away
he put II on the floor until visitor came along.
when he went through the form of dropping IL N
again and ringing the bell. To prevent this fraud
small staples were driven in the bottom OF the box
that the perny fell between them He simply
elongated the tiny tip at the end OF his trunk and
Herewith lifted the cent 1t was only by using
long nails in place OF the staples that the trick
was prevented.-New York Geological Society Sui
letin. s--v e-s
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
PURE eYRUP-sUT BLENDED OF CANE
AND MAPLE.

they refused to drill without arms or uniforms
Ever since the earthquake and fire these COM
panies have been without equipment, and they
hnaly decided that IL their appeals for arms
ana uniforms were further ignored they would
refuse to drill. The result was dismissal. The
crack 1st Regiment which corresponds with the
9TH Regiment in New York will lose many
fine officers who saw service in the Philippines.
This week Judge James V. Coffey was elected
unanimously to preside over the Superior Court
judges for four years. Judge COffey has presided
Tor many years in the main probate section OF
the Superior Court and. though he has never
done any electioneering he has been reelected
four times with the highest majority the
judicial ticket Judge CofTey probably knows
more about values Of city property than any real
estate agent. and it is his custom in division
sale of property to inspect places personally and
decide on the values. He the first judge to
adopt regular scale of fees for probating es-
tates, that widows and orphans might not be de-
spoiled by unsCrupulOus attorneys His system
Of probate fees has been adopted in many cities.
Among the improvements in lower Mission
street VIII be the reconstruction by Reuben H.
Lloyd. well known attorney, OF his fine build
ing on the north side OF the street. between
Bale and Main streets. II will be of steel and
brick. with white glazed brick front.
One Of the last acts Of Governor Pardee was
the communication of the death sentence Of ex-
Policeman Field to life imprisonment There
reason for this leniency, as Field whose
wife had left him because of cruelty. called at
the home OF her father. and when the old man
resisted his entrance shot him. Field claimed
he was attacked by his wife and shot in self
defence but there was no confederation OF his
story, and the jury found him guilty
Paymaster George VI. Lukesh of the United
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
Cooperation Among Mer-
chants Is AchieVinn
Splendid Results.

New York merchants. who have been making
organized fight on fraudulent bankruptcies
for the last few years. beginning TO see light
ahead. In the month OF January ii IS expected
that three important cases which this organza-
tion, known the Merchants Protective Asso-
citation, is fighting for creditors Will reach de-
termination in the courts which will establish
valuable precedents for the protection OF all who
sell goods credit one Of these cases is the
trial OF merchant now under indictment for
transferring goods In fraud Of creditors, case
where the associations counsel has co-operated
with the District Attorney The second case is
the motion to punish for contempt a contracting
tailor who. 1t is alleged retained goods sent to
him for finishing by bankrupt firm. The third
case is an investigation going on in bank
ruptcy proceedings TO probe certain mysterious
disappearances of stock and the transfer of
lease IN recent failure These cases three
in long series OF actions fought by the associa-
ton to safeguard the interests OF It's members
and the drygoods trade
Fraudulent bankruptcies have been costing
merchants and the public millions of dollars an
nually, and have caused long and often fruItless
litigations In New York City alone there are
about 1900 bankruptcy cases every year, in
volving millions of dollars
In the mercantile trade fraudulent bankrupt
cies hit the big commission houses most directly
but In the great losses suffered every year the
jobbers and the big retail stores are also heavily
concerned, and the public, of course eventually
pays the price. The millions lost every year
through fraudulent bankruptcies influence the
price OF every yard of goods and every garment
sold over the counter Hence. reputable mer-
chants have banded together TO spend thousands
Of dollars year in combating the evil
Twenty years ago the conditions surrounding
bankruptcy proceedings were calculated to dis
gust the honest man. The laxity of the law put
a premium on perjury and sharp practice. On
the heels of a failure came the pack Of creditors
rushing pellmell, each for himself and each In
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
Some Rather Comic Effects
Result from the New Law.

The Pure Food law went ;nto effect this
month and everywhere there is hurry and
uorry in efforts TO comply with II. There is
hurry in Washington. where Secretary Wilson
Of the Department Of Agriculture is doing his
best TO pass upon the truthfulness OF the new
labels which the law requires; there is hurry
IN the United States laboratory on the top floor
OF the Public Stores building in this city, where
r. z. Doolittle chief Of the bureau. is increas-
ing his working force, and there is hurry IN
printing Offices all over the country. where labels
guaranteed to tell the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth about the things that
people eat, are being turned from the presses
by the tens of thousands, and still not fast
enough TO supply the demand for them. For.
though makers and dealers are allowed until
October in which to change the principal labels.
all stickers and supplementary labels must be
put on at once.
These labels form an interesting study and
calculated TO bring blank dismay to the
face of not few who read them when
neatly pasted the bottles. cans and boxes
they are intended for on drug store grocery
shelves. Perhaps the users of canned goods
are the ones who will learn the most from
perusal of these truthful labels; for If the pine
apple, raspberry or strawberry jam or jelly Is
not the real thing, but is made OF apple body
with a little artificial coloring or favoring
added the label attached must tell the truth
about the contents. By some producers such
goods will be labelled compounds. and by
ohers the name of the flavor printed in bold type
and the various ingredients in small type below
The labels will also unmask that fiction
long maintained under which much cotton
seed oil has been sold for pure olive oil made
abroad. The law is also strict about the use
OF the names OF localities food products, and
unless New Jersey tomatoes are really from New
Jersey. and Vermont syrup really from Yer
mont and Java or Mocha coffee really from
Java Mocha. it will be violation of the law
20 label them s such Imitation maple syrup.
honey spices and such products must be
labelled.
The law also requires that the real name of
the manufacturer shall alone appear upon the
label. Tomatoes that have for years been sold
perhaps Smiths tomatoes though Smith
himself is beneath the sod. must be labelled
Smiths brand" and those importers who have
been selling in this country foodstuffs originally
prepared by some foreign exporter, though now
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13

products shipped TO the United States from for
egn countries shall have attached to tnem a
declaration of the shipper, made before United
States consular officer. The specified form of
this is follows:
J. the undersigned, do solemnly and truly de-
Manufactured agent or shipper)
clare that I the --------
OF the merchandise herein mentioned ana de-
scribed and that 1t consists of food and drug
products which contain no added substances IN
furious to health.
These products were grown in - ana
Country
manufactured in -- by -------------
(Country) CSarne manufacturerl
during the yea - and are exported from
(Cityj (Cfty)
- and consigned TO -
The products bear false labels or marks
CNo)
contain -- added coloring matter or preserva-
(Some)
Name OF added color preservative)
OF q character to cause prohibition or restriction
in the country where made or from which
exported. -
dated at -- this - of -. 80.
Signed
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13

merce well. This is why new and lasger
laboratory was fitted UP last week in which to
carry on the work, and why .the staff of chem
lists is to be increased from nine to twenty. a
force of about twenty-five inspectors Is also to
be put at work collecting samples. Samples of
importetfons from foreign countries are secured
from the cases as they pass through the Public
Stores. on request Of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury. The inspectors to be charged with the col
food and drug products will purchase them in
open market, and turn them over to the chem
lists for analysis. The regulations provide that
a sample shall be divided into three parts, and
each part labelled with identifying marks Every
sample is TO be sealed by the collector. If the
package is less thon four pounds in weight, or
less than two quarts in volume provision il
made for the purchase Of three separate sam
piles. one to be delivered to the party from whom
purchased to whomsoever guaranteed that
particular product One sample Is to be sub
mitted to the chemists and the third is to be
held under seal for the Secretary OF Agriculture
All this means work. and much OF It.
The additions to the New York force OF chem
fists and inspectors must be made from the Civil
Service lists and their appointment will be
matter Of several weeks yet.
Among all the new labels that now making
their appearance as fast as the presses can turn
them off, no labels intended for whiskey
bottles are TO be found, and the explanation OF
that fact is that there Ia some doubt as to just
what is meant by blended whiskey. Regulation
p, referring TO Compounds, limitations
blends without distinctive name" states that
THE term blend applies TO a mixture Of like
substances. not excluding harmless coloring or
1avoring ingredients used for the purpose of
coloring and havoring only" This provision, It
is said, would in way affect most Of the pure
ryes" now on the market, but Section D of the
same regulation adds: In order that colors or
iaVors may not increase the volume or weight
OF a blend, they are not to be used in quantities
exceeding pound to eight hundred pounds Of
the blend" 1t is said that many OF the blended
whiskeys' now on the market cannot be put up
under these conditions. and that the manufact-
ure Of some Of them must be abandoned Men
prominent in the whiskey trade are now en-
deavoring to find out where they stand in this
matter.
= The law has brought with II another pang to
the heart OF the lover Of the artistic in LIQUIDS.
The rosy checked Maraschino cherry must go.
The chemicals used to give II its excessively
bright red coloring come within the prohibition
OF the law, and the cherry in the dun rcd of its
natural color is coming into its own again.
Cough drops containing drugs narcotics must
be labelled so that there cannot be the slightest
doubt about the amount of drug the purchaser Of
them is taking with each drop. Headache DOW
ders may no longer be sold labelled simply a.
such
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
EXTRA QUALITY MUSTARD-BUT PRE-
SERVED WITH eENZOATE OF SODA.

this Legislature as the members from San Fran
cisco elected IN the interest Of Schmitz.
Ruef and others. who are now on trial Nearly
all OF these men were selected because tney
were known to be pliable TO the BOSSES and
because they would not dare to vote for any
measures curbing the power Of big corporations
The Legislature has started out well, for IL has
rolled up during It's first week the record pa
tronage list OF 80 employees, who will draw
S116.42O for the session from the treasury. One
quarter OF this force could do all necessary work
and not labor beyond union hours.
Unusually cold weather prevailed throughout
Northern and Central California the early part
OF the week. The hills back of Berkeley and
Oakland were covered with snow, and in the
lower part of Salinas Valley and in parts of Napa
and Sonoma valleys several inches of snow fell
No damage was done TO crops. the snow
quickly melted. The rainfall has been heavy
this season. In San Francisco II Is ll.1o inches
for the season. as against 1917 inches last year
to this date; in Sacramento l16S, against SD;
In Los Angeles 1910 against 10, and in Fresno
$40, against 3.S3 last year
Race antagonism led this week To a fatal riot
in which one OF the many Greek iabOrers on the
street railways was killed. There are conflict
ing stories OF the cause of the riot but the prob
able blame lies between an Irish foreman and
the leaders OF the Greeks. Whatever the cause.
the incident shows the danger of employing large
bodies Of foreigners who do not understand the
English language and are likely 10 resort 10 vio-
Ience under slight provocation
The officers Of the 1st California Regiment OF
the National Guard have resigned. These resiG-
na tions caused by the arbitrary act OF ex-
Governor Pardec who issued an order dismiss
ing Companies \ and II Of the regiment because
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13

states Navy. is again in trouble. and faces n
court martial 1t seems that at Mare Islsns n.
became drunk, and in this condition met c,,r
nandane Lyon. Lukesh was arrested and nIzc.A
on the prison ship Manila His record is bad
ana ne recently was reduced ten numbers fo,
indecent conduct at Yokohama while intoxtea,-
ed. 1t will be remembered that in uasSing -,
his case President Roosevelt regretted tba1 -
mad not the power TO dismiss him =
A fine new building IN the Oriental styi,
architecture is 10 be erected at the northwest
corner of Sacramento and Dupont street, for
the i<Owery estate. 1t is to be occupied sy
dealer IN silks and curios. The cornices and
front of the building will be decorated with COL
ored electric lights
President Duffey Of the Board Of Health is
busy tearing down the ruins Of the City Hall
with 150-horsepower engine The work is
advancing rapidly. and crowds surround ths
place to witness the downfall of the huge col.
umns Duffey has the Hail of Records nearly
ready for occupancy. and for s15O.OO0 he saws
he can repair the library wing Of the hall This
wing would furnish accommodations for the
Mayor. auditor, treasurer and the supervisors
No action has been taken on his proposftior
and none probably will be taken. as the Mayer
and supervisors evidently prefer 10 pay high
rents to favored property holders for temporary
municipal office buildings
Swift & Co. the Chicago packers, have con-
tracted with the Sonoma County Poultry Asso-
citation for all its eggs at full daily quotations
In San Francisco, guaranteeing. however that
the average price for the year shall not fall be-
low 20 cents dozen. This association Is CON-
posed of poutrymen in and about Santa Rosa
The Chicago dealers have not obtained the
product of Petaluna, the greatest chicken rails
ing district in California, but probably they will
obtain IL before long
New-York tribune., 1907-01-13

Paymaster George NJ. Lukesh. of the United