New-York tribune., 1910-02-21
CLINCH BEEF CASE
AIN or PROSECUTOR.
NO7C Seeks Indictments for
Health Lac Violations.

The presentation Of the indictments for
conspiracy against the directors of the
National Packing Company by the Hudson
county IN. j Grand Jury will be de-
Ierred from Wednesday until next Friday
The reason for the change is that sddl-
tional indictments may be handed UP for
violating health laws.
The indictment for conspiracy alleges
that the company stored foodstuffs TO re
duce the supply, increase the demand ard
enable 1t TO boost the prices Prosecutor
Garven apparently believes that a stronger
case would develop from a transgresslon
or the health laws and would result III
legislation that would stop the keeping
of foodstuffs for a longer period than
few months, for the investigation dis
closed that poultry had been kept in stor-
age for seven years and longer.
The Prosecutors conclusion is based on
the analyses of DR.. George E. Mclaughlin.
the microscopic and bacteriologist, of Jer-
sey City. who was a witness before the
grand jury. He discovered germs in poul-
try. meats and other foodstuffs taken from
cold storage that he regards at least as
unwhoIesome
So important was this evidence that As
sistant Prosecutor Vickers has for several
weeks devoted his time almost exclusively
with Dr.. Mclaughlin to the development
of a satisfactory case for prosecution. for
ii was realized that It must be strong and
convincing, the company would IN
doubtedly meet it with an army of expert
chemists to testify that cold storage food
products. like wine, improve with age.
The evidence was submitted to the State
Board OF Health. and il promised its CO.
operation, but the Prosecutor is perturbed
iIat ar
investigation of the cold storage plants by
the state health officials was suggested,
and the Prosecutor fears If it IS not done
forthwith that the company will move the
aged articles in storage to warehouses out
side the jurisdiction of the New Jersey
courts and the tardy state officers Will in
stitute their inquiry too late
The Prosecutor did not stop with the
state board. He desired that the national
health officers should confirm the findings
Of DR.. Mclaughlin. The baCteriologist and
Assistant Prosecutor Vickers went to
Washington on Friday night and spent the
entire day Saturday in conferences with
DR.. Wylie. chief chemist of the Department
of Agriculture, and others, They returned
to Jersey City last night on the Congress
sionaI Limited train. They were retlcent-
Nj Vickers stated that in the interest
Of the state he could not divulge what had
occurred at the capital, but he would say
that their trip had been satisfactory, and
this led 10 the deduction that DR.. Nc
LaughIin's conclusions had been confirmed
The assistant prosecutor said they spent
several hours with Dr. Wylie and the vari-
Gus heads of departments and had a long,
busy day
Dr. Mclaughlin also was unconlmuni-
cative concerning his visit to Washington,
as well as concerning his germ discovery
When asked If Il was true. as reported
that cold storage meat and poultry are
subjected to q chemical bath or treatment
TO give them an appearance of having been
killed recently. he replied No; but l saw
old storage turkeys that had been given d
dab of fresh blood on the neck TO suggest
that they had newly passed through the
slaughter process.
All he would say about their trip 70
Washington was that It had been pleasant.
The Hudson County Grand Jury will have
a session on Wednesday and continue the
inquiry about the endangering Of health
by keeping food products frozen too long
Dr.. Mclaughlin is expected to be wit
ness and tell something about his confer
ences with the federal and state health
officers.
Prosecutor Garven last night lntimated
fra+ there would be something new TO
make public in 2 few days, probably mean
ing there would De supplementary indtct-
neuts