The evening world., 1919-12-27

alrtfdy caused forty-four deaths in
Ma 9achusetts and Connecticut cities
was mixed in the Bronx and trans
ported by motor truck. The author
iu9 know that at least twelve bar
roia were Manufactured and sold for
$4,000. but they do not know how
many more may have been dlstrlb-
uted In other States, and possibly in
tho Greater City. Arrests arc expect
Cd to-day in the Bronx.
FIFTY. TWO KILLED IN NEW
YORK THIS YEAR.
DR.. Charles Norris, Chief Medical
Examiner in New York, in announc-
ing the startling fact that wood alco-
hoi has killed fifty-two persons IN
= New York and blinded perhaps one
htndred this year, declared that no
believed hundreds OF persons in tho
city@are drinking a poisonous substi-
tute for whiskey that will bring total
blindness, II nothing worse.
DR.. Norris has asked all physicians
20 watch for wool alcohol poisoning
The manufacturers OF wood alcohol
win be asked to put into 1t some in
gredient that win make II nnuseous
Palnters and others who handle It
wiN,fbo requested 10 keep a record OF
every ounce sold for commercial pur-
p9sss. 49,
Coiiector.of Internal Revenue will
lam n. Edwards and Col. Porter,
cliiae revenue agent in charge Of Pro-
hfbition enforcement measures, con-
fetfed to-day. The Prohibition Law
says nothing about wood alcohol. but
there is a Federal tax on that too,
which brings the revenue depart
mbnt officially into the case.
Al Col. Porter's office Il was said
tho stun sold probably is not pure
wood alcohol but denatured alcohol,
which may contain 10 per cent. OF the
wood. product. Any person can buy
denatured alcohol which is tax free.
Hnrspite OF the statement by Medi-
cSF Examiner Norris that flfty-two
deaths are recorded in his ONCE as
dee, 70 wood alcohol poisoning, the
records of the District Attorneys Of
fee show. according to Assistant Dis
-tTict Attorney Nara of the Homicide
BlueaI that no complaint charging a
crime in connection with wood al
cohdl poisoning has como to that Of
Acstance 1917. when Antonio Alfonso
oGsnSos 1855 Blocker Street was in
dicted for granddaughter after seven
patnms Of his place died. He was
trted last spring and the jury disa-
graSd. The indictment is still pend
ing.
The Evening World has knowledge
ekoninlodS given by physicians called
to attend dying men that they were
vigttaps OF wood alcohol poisoning and
oPnfeir notification OF the police Of
THAI fact, suggesting the taking Of
samples from the stock Of the saloon
lIeeper for evidence. According TO Mr.
NIarrl none OF this information has
bSaf. made .effective In the Office or
the District Attorney
The fight now begun is TO be waged
AGAINST all limitations OF alcoholic
drinks, and is to be scientifically
copducted by organized forces. Chief
Medical Examiner Norris will have
ASSOCIATED with him in the crusade:
The New York County Medical As
ISOLATION, through a sub-committee OF
tho Committee OF Public Health and
Hygiene, OF which DR.. Ward A
Hidden OF No. 8 East 5lth Street. Is
Chairman. This subcommittee nov
Is consulting with Manufacturers OF
wood alcohol, with view to having
them make IL impotable.
The National Committee for the
Prevention OF Blindness, No. 1870 East
22d Street, william Eellowes Nor
rnh. President; william Howard
Tat, Honorary President. Tho COM
mlttee's offer to DR.. NorriA to fur.
nish Investigators, Immediately upon
his telephoned report to them that a
death Is due TO wood alcohol, has
been GLADLY accepted"
Ole salthe. acting Director OF the
Bureau OF Food and Drugs OF the
Health Department. said to-day that
his department was making n special
survey or all restaurants, saloons
and other places where liquor might
be. stored or attempts made 20 sell
liquors containing wood alcohol
The Borough Chiefs OF the Health
Department have been notified TO
double their inspection forces and
fot the men TO work in pairs visiting
saloons and other places. Special in
vdttigatlons will be made in foreign
nGghborhoods and along the water
frent sections. The Health Depart
mknt is using its police powers in
making a thorough search and in
vestigation OF all liquors found in
thAse places. The inspectors 20 be-
mad the bars and search the places
from cellar TO garnet,
Gr. Salthe said his department re,
cshtly inspected 200 salons in all sec.
titns OF the city. No wood alcoho
was found.
The chemical laboratory of tn,
Health Department announced tina
tia symptoms produce on tking WOO,