Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-15

prohibition situation in this country
has suggested to some European pro-
motors a new and profitable game.
There is the American, thirsty and
with plenty of money, meditates the
ge~t-riah-quick European. Thoughts
of sherry and port, Moselle and Rhine
wine must recall to him a lost para
disc. Why not offer him a concen-
trated mixture with which he can re-
construct these fine ~vintages. 1t
would not be necessary to go to much
trouble, any simple preparation Of
fruits would do. No home brewer
would be likely to analyze the prepara-
ton, and if he did he would be afraid
to report his findings lest the prohi-
bition authorities nab him on some
technlcallty. What scheme could be
safer or more promising.
The result of some such reasoning
on the part of one German manufac-
turer has resulted in 100000 circu-
lars a month being poured into the
United States. Americans are offer
ed for a dollar a mysterious package
containing the basis for making two
and a half gallons of absolutely pure
port, sherry, Malaga, Moselle, Rhine,
and Tokay. OneA package makes any
Of 'em. Retains all qualities Of the
original because it is the original
the circular claims.
A dash of atmosphere regarding old
Europe and its famous ~vintages is
skillfully worked into the advertise
ment to give it the lure of romance.
The idea is definitely expressed that
you can reconstruct the exact contin-
entail product in your cellar without
any plant of your own and with very
little trouble.
How many suckers" have been TAX
en- in by this too generous offer will
probably never be known. That the
business has been prospecting, how
ever, we do know from the promoters
own statement. When questioned by
the United States consul at Munich he
said that he was sending u 100, 0O0
circulars every two weeks and that he
printing done. He had a staff of about
10 people and he contracted with a
plant to put up his formula. The sec
ret of the formula he refused t. di-
Yulge, but he admitted that a satisfac-
tory percentage of people responded
to his advertising.
Victims Afraid to Complain
Americans who trustingly paid theft
money and got the magic essence have
not complained to the post office de
edly foresaw, they are afraid of the
prohibition law which nobody seems tt
understand any too well.
Rut other Americans who have me-
cellars or no thirst have become in
dignant when they received the cir
rulars. Protests by the hundreds
have been coming into the post office
department from citizens who pro.
tested against the mails containing
matter Of such Illegal tendencies, es.
specially as the proposition seemed tc
have a catch in it somewhere.
The postal officials investigated
and the bureau Of chemistry analysed
the mixture, with the result that 8
fraud order was issued last Ma.
against the German company.
The government chemists reported
that the preparation was found tic
consist essentially of two ingredients
viz, fruit of a. rose commonly called
rose hip and a fruit of the prunus fam
lily. apparently a buckthorn.' The re-
DOft 1UTtllpf sdiu. II is IHlpOSSIbIe Ioi
these ingredients to prepare standard
wines Of any kind and certainly not
those referred to in the advertising
matter. No wine of recognized quail.
ity and character can be made from
the mixture examined"
Anyone who stopped to considel
would realize that while European
wines at European prices may seen
cheap TO us in view of bootleg quota.
lions, two and a half gallons of rea
wine could hardly be compressed BY
machinery and sold profitably for :
, dollar.
The fact is about the only thing tht
American customer could get out oi
this deal is the thrill of feeling that ht
is in touch with the romantic atmos.
phere of old European vineyards
Aside from getting mail postmarkeC
from a German city, even the thrill i
5 imitation.
, Better materials for making bever
ages could be bought at the cornel
store than the mystic preparation from
the European factory.
, Firm Takes New Name
In spite Of government attack, this
particular firm bobs up under a new
name and in a different European city
. every few weeks and operates profita