Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-27

/. New York. Dec. 27.-Federal
agents, health authorities and DO
}lice In many cities In the east were
stirred into action today against
traf1c in whisky" made from wood
alcohol, following the wave of
deaths and blindness from this
cause in Massachusetts and Con-
necticut. The death list OF victims
OF Christmas "cheer" in these
states totaled at least Al early to-
day.
Officials declared 1t probable that
unreported cases by the score ex-
fst from coast to coast. A general
warning has been issued here by
agencies cooperating in the fight,
telling the public of the danger
lurking in anything that passes for
whisky in saloons.
Arrests Near.
Arrests were expected In New
York today in connection with the
deaths at Chicopee Falls and Hol-
yoke. Mass. and Hartford, Conn.,,
the three towns hardest hit by the
poison drunk as liquor. Four men
are under arrest in Hartford charg-
ed with murder. The police allege
that they bought IL barrels OF the
fluid in the Bronx for $4,000,
which they took to Hartford by mo-
tor truck. where water was added.
Then it was sold. according to the
police, in other cities. Department
Of justice agents announce that
they have traced the "whisky" to
New York, where they say it was
made.
IA scientific fight against all pois-
Bhous substitutes for liquor has
been started in New York.
Health Department Busy.
The health department also TO-
cused its attention today on wood
alcohol poisoning. Commissioner
Copeland at once telegraphed the
Hartford health authorities for all
clues indicating that the fatal sup
ply of whisky" had been received
from New York.
At the same time, the acting 1i-
rector Of the bureau of foods and
drugs. ordered a special survey TO
determine II any restaurants or
saloons In this city were selling
tn, poison. Inspection forces were
ordered doubled. with special at
tention to the waterfront and for
eign colonies
Deputy Revenue Collector George
l.. Miles OF the Bronx declared two
of his agents today visited hos
pital to interview three men, who,
although conscious, have been par
!, alyzed since Christmas eve, as a
result Of drinking a pint Of "whis-
Ky" The liquor was purchased in
Manhattan. he said. and arrests
were expected.
Used Sulphuric Acid.
Miles also declared that police
today gave him for analysis a bot
tie Of whisky" seized in saloon.
Sulphuric acid had been used in
the LIQUOR to cut the coloring mat
ter, Mr.. Miles said, and one smell
Of it was almost sufficient to ether
tze a person. The deputy collector
explained that IL a person drank
the whisky and went out Of doors
on a cold night he would develop
pneumonia.
Miles predicted a wholesale clos
ing of saloons in New York city
during the next few days.
Change the Formula.
Sales for drinking purposes OF
alcohol originally intended for
making perfume have como to light
in Harlem and prosecutions are
pending.
The necessity Of legislation to
deal effectively with illicit inter-
state traffic in wood alcohol was
pointed out today by Ben A.
Mathews, assistant United States
attorney for the New York dis.
trict. The only prosecution in the
federal courts. he said, was fol
misdemeanors in violating the in.
ternal revenue laws. Federal
agents, however. Will cooperate
+. with state authorities with q view
to prosecutions ON more serious
charges when illicit sales of wood
alcohol result in illness or death.
Death List Grows.
Chicopee. Mass, Dec. 27.-Ths
drinking Of whisky" with a wood
alcohol base had caused the death.
Of "a persons in Connecticut val.
ley cities today. The list Of victim,
mounted during the day with re-
ports from this city. Holyoke
Springfield. and Hartford. Conn.
Others stricken by the concoc
hon marketed for Christmas festiv