The Colorado statesman., 1913-03-15
MUCH FOOD SEIZED
Pure Food Law Violations in Last
Year.
In Several Instances Cases Reported
for Criminal Action Based on Ship
ments Of Seized Goods Found
to Be Poisonous ingredients.


ashington.-Fourteen hundred and
fifty-nine violations of the federal
pure food law were reported to the
department Of justice for action in
the last year OF the total number OF
cases, 991 were criminal and 467 were
recommendations for the seizure of
adulterated or misbranded foods and
drugs. There were TAI cases prose
cuted by United States attorneys in
the year. OF the criminal cases
prosecuted, 381 resulted in convic-
tions and twenty-three were decided
adversely to the government Fines
were imposed in the criminal cases
amounting to more than $14.000 and
in addition costs were assessed, gen.
orally against the defendants. OF the
cases reported, 407 were pending in
the courts at the close of the year, and
37e were under consideration by the
department of justice.
The first Jail sentences for viola
tions of this act were imposed last
year, and there was tendency on the
part of the courts to impose larger
fines for first offenses. The maximum
fine of 5000 was imposed in twelve
cases, and there were also imposed
one fine of $3.50, SO of 500 each, two
fines of SIS each and 81 fines of $50
each. In 1911 the maximum fine of
5000 was imposed in 16 cases. and
there were imposed four fines of $3.50
each, one fine of $125, 26 fines of 800
each, one fine of SIS and 33 fines of
$50 each. There was also imposed
fine of $40O in three cases prosecut-
ed, where several adulterated and
misbranded articles were contained IN
one shipment. While there was a
slight decrease in the number of
maximum fines imposed, there was a
substantial increase in the number of
cases in which fines of S100 and $50
were imposed.
In the seizure cases DEGREES Of con-
demnatlon and forfeiture were enter
ed against 294 shipments of adulter-
ated and misbranded goods. In ac-
cordance with the usual practice.
whenever seized articles of food were
found to consist of filthy, decomposed
or putrid substances, or to contain
poisonous or deleterious ingredients
which might render them injurious to
health, the department has insisted
that orders be entered directing the
destruction of the goods. One hun
dred and three shipments of this
class were destroyed.
On the other hand, in the class of
cases where the adulteration or mis-
branding was such that 1t could be
cured by relabeling, the courts have
usually released the seized goods to
claimants after relabeling whenever
claimants have appeared and consent
ed to the entry of DEGREES of condem-
nation and forfeiture, paid the costs
of the proceedings and filed bond, as
provided for by Section 10 of the act.
that the goods would not thereafter
be sold or otherwise disposed of con-
trary to law. One hundred and sixty
two shipments of this class of cases
WeTe Teled5bu III lllt year dllel le-
labelling and the, filing of satisfactory
bonds. There were seized and con-
demned shipments of sardines, figs.
herring, dried apples, dried cherries,
condensed milk, pie filling, cold cream
ointment, soft drinks, candies. cor
dials, chestnuts, oysters, tomato pulp,
frozen eggs bottled water, apples, pea
nuts, turpentine, sparkling burgundy,
brandy, vanilla extract, dried black
berries, dried eggs. liquors, butter,
vinegar, prunes, witch hazel and hay.
In several instances cases were re-
ported for criminal prosecution based
on shipments of seized goods found to
consist Of filthy, decomposed or putrid
substances. or to contain added poison
Gus or deleterious ingredients which
might render them injurious to health.
-Four cases were discontinued because
OF lack Of evidence to maintain them.
In eighteen cases seizures were not
made because the goods had been dis
posed of prior to the filing of libels.
In one seizure case the court refused
to issue process, and in another the
proceedings were dismissed