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MAh \ m 
 
 UNCLE SAM 
 
 AM) 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 IX SEARCH <)1- 
 
 PURE FOOD 
 
 IX THEIR. DOMAIN'. 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 ;ssiiecl iii connection witla an Impure Pood ;in<l Decepti\-e 
 Efitoel E-cliiHit. 
 
 Published 1>\ 
 
 CROCKER & ROBBINS, GROCERS. 
 
 GAEESSBE'RG. ILL. 
 
THE WAGONER PRI' 
 GAIES3URG, ILL. 
 
 
 268 
 
 Copyright, 1899, 
 
 CKOCKKR Si ROBBINS. 
 
 TWO COPIES RECEIVED. 
 
 
 *3 
 
BETWEEN OURS&LVBS. 
 wmy ? 
 
 About a year ago we began to write a series of articles on the sub- 
 ject of food adulteration, deceptive labels, misleading' advertisements, 
 etc.. dividing them into chapters and sending them far and wide. 
 Naturally at first our purpose was advertising : but the chapters grew 
 as investigation went on. and at the request of many readers we have 
 decided to issue these chapters in book form. With this end in view, 
 we have revised them and have had them appropriately and artistically 
 illustrated, printed on tine tinted paper, in colors, and handsomely 
 bound, with the title. " Uncle Sam and Columbia. In Search of Pure 
 Food in their Domain." As will be seen, it is a most unique and 
 beautiful souvenir. 
 
 We trust it will be widely read, and the pleasant way in which the 
 rather heavy subject has been illustrated will be appreciated by those 
 who read it. The success of the pamphlet is largely due to the enthu- 
 siastic interest manifested by our artist in the subject under investi- 
 gation. 
 
 Many adulterations used in the preparation of food are poisonous. 
 or indigestible, and dangerous to life and health, and under existing 
 conditions all are fraudulent. In our exhibit made in connection with 
 the issue of this pamphlet, these goods are shown in duplicate, the 
 genuine article, and the counterfeit. Adulterated goods will be shown 
 as they are sold in Illinois, and the same goods as they must be labeled 
 in order to be sold in Michigan, and some other states, where pure 
 food laws have been enacted, and are in force. We show how they 
 have to paste an extra gum label on the same goods, which will tell 
 you the plain truth that they are adulterated. We appeal to the 
 strong-est of the natural senses : what 'we see with our eyes, and can 
 handle with our hands, we are apt to believe. It is only just here to 
 
mention in a kindly way our appreciation of .those manufacturers and 
 
 jobbers who have shown an interest in what we have been doiny;, and 
 have rendered valuable aid in securing samples for use in our exhibit. 
 so that we are enabled to carry out our plan successfully. 
 
 Thus we send our booklet out upon its mission, hoping it will do 
 some g"ood. and that we may have had a small part in awakening a 
 sentiment that will result in national food legislation worthy so great 
 a nation. 
 
 Thanking our readers for their kindly sympathy and interest, and 
 hoping they will remember our watchword, and join us in these prin- 
 ciples : 
 
 Best Goods and fionest Labels, first, Cast, and Always, 
 
 - 
 
 We are yours sincerely, 
 
 CROCKER & ROBBINS. 
 
^\ PLEA POR WHOLESOME POOD 
 
 GM/\PTBR I. 
 
 " 'If the pure food la<ws of Ohio ivere in force in Illinois, they 
 <woutd thromj out many stocks no<w offered/' 
 
 That expression, at the bottom of one of our advertising circulars, 
 
 attracted so much attention that we determined to enlarge upon the 
 whole subject of pure and adulterated food, deceptive labels, etc. It 
 marked the beginning of what has grown to the large pamphlet in the 
 
 reader's hands. 
 
 (Epcrg 
 
 This is a day of adulteration, misrepresentation and fraud. Every- t , 00 j> tbina 
 
 thing good and meritorious has a counterfeit. This is true of every- 
 thing : even the food we eat is not exempt. The pure food laws of 
 Illinois are of little value and are not enforced. The consumer is 
 absolutely at the mercy or cupidity of the merchant. The hard times 
 of the past few years made the opening wedge for adulterated and 
 deceptive goods. Reduced earnings made retrenchment necessary, 
 and avaricious manufacturers were quick to seize upon it, and produce 
 inferior goods, bearing first-class labels, and sold at ridiculously low 
 prices. Unscrupulous merchants were soon found all over the country 
 willing to stock up with these inferior goods' and distribute to con- 
 sumers. 
 
 Until about five years ago Galesburg had the reputation of carry- 
 ing the finest lines of groceries of any city of its size in the state. 
 outside of Chicago. Scarcely any " seconds '* were carried by our 
 merchants. But to-day nearly every dealer is forced to carry a small 
 line of these second-class goods, and some of the vilest known to the 
 trade are sold in our city and every other city in the land. 
 
 Canned goods have offered a shining mark, as they enter largely 
 into txse in every home. Look cit . . . 
 
 Canned Corn selling to the Consumer at 4c to 6c per can; 
 
 35c to 60c per dozen. 
 Canned Lima Beans, 5c to 8c per can; 55c to 90c per dozen. 
 Canned Peas, 5c to 8c per can; 55c to 90c per dozen. 
 
 When you think of the cost of producing the crop, gathering it. 
 
 has a 
 counterfeit. 
 
CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY 
 
 Hot in 
 business for 
 
 bis health. 
 
 cans, canning, the jobber's protit, the retailer's protit I and 
 depend upon it, no man is in the business for his health), to 
 ing of the freight and cost of transportation, you will 
 readily see that an honest, wholesome article cannot be 
 produced at such prices. 
 
 How is it done? Let us tell you : 
 
 The most common way is to take the ripened and 
 dried product, soak it. and then put it in cans. Some 
 times the crop has 
 been allowed to 
 stand in the 
 tield too long- 
 before gath- 
 ering- ; rains 
 have fallen u 
 it and damag/d 
 it.^K.casioi'/- 
 
 you can 
 say noth- 
 
 T\KES7 Qucililij 
 
 ■"^VImj Uncle S^T&^jg^ 
 
 >h&) O-rt Cjrorff^a ;A f^e Gary 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 if you notice closely, in a can of cheap peas you will discover 
 that some of the peas had sprouted before they were gathered and 
 canned. Can such food be wholesome? We leave it for you to answer. 
 It you doubt these statements, ask any reliable dealer of fifteen or 
 twenty years' experience of your acquaintance, or any reliable whole- 
 sale grocer. If the goods referred to above were sold in Ohio they 
 would have to bear the word "soaked" or "bleached" right on the 
 face of the label. It should be so in Illinois. 
 
 <£cm such 
 
 foob be 
 wholesome ? 
 
 # 
 
 "4< 
 
 GMAPTER II. 
 
 Look to the Food You Eat. 
 
 Yes, some people are looking- to the food they eat, as was shown by 
 the many commendations which followed the issuing - of the preceding- 
 chapter in circular form. There was a decided demand for more in- 
 formation on the same subject. This time we will mention a few of 
 the goods most commonly tampered with in the grocery trade, and 
 also mention some of the means followed in order to produce a cheap 
 article. 
 
 Cheap Jellies (and the quantity sold is 
 great \ are made from soused pigs* feet, ears 
 and other meats, apple cores, apple skins, 
 and glucose, and can be bought at retail put 
 up in 15-lh. wooden pails for 35 cents and 
 upwards. The pail costs 10 cents, trans- 
 portation 7 cents : this leaves only 18 cents 
 for IS pounds, or a trifle over 1 cent per 
 pound for the manufactured- article, the 
 profit of the jobber, and the retailer. Now. 
 how much real fruit can there be in such 
 goods? We leave it for you to figure out. 
 
 Honey, put up in glass jars with a small piece of honey comb 
 standing up in the center ( ever buy any such? ) and surrounded by a 
 very little honey, and a good deal of glucose. It sells for 10 cents, and 
 the glass containing it is worth 3 cents : you put a little of this honey 
 on your tongue and you will plainly taste the glucose; very little of it 
 
 PURR 
 MAPI 
 
 1 W^ 
 
 
 "pure 
 honey " 
 but bees 
 n?oulbn't 
 
 own it. 
 
CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY. 
 
 will 
 
 very likely tell you it is 
 
 Dangerous 
 mixtures. 
 
 (Dtber 
 
 states, 
 
 n>brj not 
 
 Illinois? 
 
 was ever made by bees, and yet the label 
 " Pure Honey." 
 
 How often we hear it said. k ' We can't get a good can of blackber- 
 ries or raspberries.*' The reason is clear. The popular pri<- 
 these g-oods now is six to eight cents per can. To produce the goods at 
 this price, the fruit must be literally stripped from the bushes, with 
 very little hulling or cleaning, and put in the cans with a little sweet- 
 ened water. 
 
 Baking Powder is another article that is most fearfully adulter- 
 ated, and while some of the ingredients are harmless, many of trie 
 mixtures are most dangerous and their sale should be forbidden. 
 Baking powder selling as low as 8 to 10 cents per pound when pure 
 cream tartar is worth 3.S cents and common soda $% cents per pound. 
 To lower this price, starch, flour, alum, terra alba < white earth >, etc.. 
 are used. Is it any wonder that stomach, kidney, and liver troubles 
 are common to-day ? You may buy a cheap or shoddy garment and no 
 harm come from it. except, perhaps, to your pocket. Not so with the 
 food you eat. ^^ rs 
 
 ' i *r v ""■' | '' ' 
 
 The merchant know 
 he buys this class of 
 has a right to 
 course, should 
 somewhat, but « 
 show it and the ) r 
 
 compelled to 
 every time 
 ated g-oods. 
 Michigan^- 
 and some ' 
 states de- 
 mand it; 
 so should 
 Illinois. 
 
 ight to know, when 
 
 goods. 
 
 kno \v 
 
 The consumer 
 
 The price, of 
 
 govern things 
 
 the labels should 
 
 retailer should be 
 
 ell the purchaser 
 
 he sells adulter- 
 
 :. (Ohio. Wisconsin. 
 
 if^NiJfeoK -k Jfa fo&yoxi EAt. U«^ ^Aft\^j^p- JJI 
 
 X, a Ttyspepfic, tearv. 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Fishing in the Wrong Barrel. 
 
 Does anybody ever suppose that fraud, adultera- 
 tion, and misrepresentation could be practiced with q rca j 
 
 yes Sir. Them's h\i Sfnpt 
 ^^ di>m\ rf>< Puhk Sum Vou-ri. Jtorn 
 37//j ftotk*qj)i*t. fityPock after ali 
 
 fish ? Isn't a fish a fish ? and an oyster an oyster r 
 
 sardine a sardine, etc.? How can 
 
 j/ttbe other than it is named ? Well, 
 
 let us tell you. Here is a real fish 
 
 i story. We g-ot our first experience 
 
 years ago : it was an eyeopener to 
 
 j* deception that we never forgot. 
 
 About twenty -live, perhaps 
 thirty, years ago a grocery house 
 opened up in our city who styled 
 themselves •' The Oriental Tea Co." 
 They were located on the north 
 side of Main street between 
 Cherry and Prairie. They 
 came with flying colors and a loud noise. They advertised some goods 
 at prices that astonished the natives, and perhaps their competitors as 
 well. < )ne day passing the slore a clerk saw some tine looking dry, salt 
 fish hanging at the door marked "Cod fish, only 4c per pound/' in 
 large characters. The heart of this clerk sank within him. Genuine 
 Georges cod fish cost us 6c per pound and we were selling at 8c per 
 pound. 
 
 To say this clerk was astonished is putting it mildly. Of course 
 he reported it to his employer who was older and wiser than he. Now, 
 in those good old days such fish were sold whole, not in strips or pack- 
 is to-day. The clerk's employer told him the next time he was 
 passing to notice the fish and see if they did not have a fair sized dark- 
 stripe down the back, with the general color resembling an ordinary 
 salmon or trout. He did so, and the mystery was solved. There was 
 the dark stripe, and they were simply haddock or pollock, and nothing 
 more. The skin of a genuine Georges cod fish is as spotted as- a leop- 
 ard. Now at that time you could buy all the haddock you wanted at 2c 
 per pound. So our friend was making just 100 per cent, profit 
 enough when you know how ! 
 
 fish storu. 
 
 mo per cent. 
 Easy -J 
 ' pront. 
 
10 
 
 CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY. 
 
 (£amc 
 louMy ; 
 
 lUCllt 
 
 silently. 
 
 a 
 
 serious 
 query 
 
 We never forgot the lesson. It is not all gold that glitters. Some 
 of our old residents will remember this concern. Their stay was 
 short : they soon folded their tents and departed as they came, but 
 with less noise. Others who were here in business at the time remain 
 to tell the story. This is one of the ways of deception practiced long 
 ago. In the next chapter we will give you some of the new. up-to-date 
 methods in the same class of goods. 
 
 Bear in mind that it is our aim to show the need of better laws on 
 the question of pure food and deception in the sale of food in the state 
 of Illinois. These laws should be enacted and rigidly enforced, with 
 severe penalties attached for those who sell goods under false labels or 
 misleading^advertisements. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Fishing — Continued. 
 
 The matter of adulteration of the food we eat is carried to >uch 
 extremes that a dealer who has any regard for truth and veracity is 
 made to blush for very shame at thevCompetition he me|ts, and often 
 ashamed he is a grocer. 
 
 Is it any wonder that our 
 men are becoming skeptical 
 asking the serious question 
 lt Can a man do a successful 
 business to-day and be hon- 
 i est?" There is ample 
 
 ground for the question. We 
 will reply to it more fully later on. 
 But we think he can. 
 
 To continue the chapter on 
 fishing. The modern, up- 
 to-date plan in preparing 
 dry salt fish for market is 
 to remove the skin and most 
 of the bones. The fish is 
 
 then cut in strips, and 
 
 sometimes put up in small blooks 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 n 
 
 ready for the consumer. Now to-day the dealer will have to pay for 
 
 the fish prepared in this way. (,I :C to 10c per pound for th< 
 nine Georges cod fish, while he can buy all the haddocl 
 pollock he wants for 3' 2 c to 4 l 2 c 
 so near alike that not one con- 
 sumer out of fifty can tell the 
 difference, and even many 
 dealers are deceived. You 
 can readily see how it is ^ 
 that you can buy cod fish 
 of one dealer at 6c per 
 pound. while another 
 charg-es you \2%z. 
 
 One dealer sells a 
 kit of finest bl oate r 
 mackerel at S3. 45. 
 Another dealer in 
 the same town 
 sells, to all ap- 
 pearances, the 
 same package 
 and same fish — 
 for $2.05. The 
 packages ' 
 
 look alike, r 
 the fish are the 
 
 same. What makes It Off**** t*. 7vw IW( 
 A charge more than Vei ^ *"*** 7Wac,u ^' 
 
 B ? Take the fish out of the package and weigh them. You will find 
 the package from A contains 15 pounds net of fish, while that from B 
 has but 12 pounds of fish, and a little more salt. Simple enough when 
 you know how. isn't it ? And no law in Illinois to prevent it, as neither 
 package stated how many pounds it contained ! 
 
 Take canned salmon. A good Columbia River salmon can not be 
 bought for less than 85 to 95 cents per dozen by the merchant, for 
 half-pound cans, and yet he can buy a pound can with a fine label for 
 75 cents and you may purchase it anywhere at retail for 8 to 10 cents 
 per can. The truth is, it is not salmon at all but a much cheaper fish. 
 
 Simple 
 cnongb 
 
 ip b ci i 
 yon know 
 bo ip. 
 
a 
 
 herring's 
 tail. 
 
 12 
 
 CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY. 
 
 known as steelbacks, from the northwest. Sardines selling at 4c. 
 three for 10c, or even as low as 2 boxes for 5c, are nothing but the tail 
 of a herring or a small, inferior fish. 
 
 We are in favor of the enactment and enforcement of such laws as 
 will compel the packer and manufacturer to show on the package the 
 quantity and quality of the goods contained in them. Then all dealers 
 will compete on the same basis, and it will be an honest basis. Now it 
 is a free-for-all. go-as-you-please race and the consumer gets the 
 worst of it. 
 
 # 
 
 GHAPTER V. 
 The Story the Label Tells. 
 
 It is not only our purpose to show in their true light some of the 
 evils as they exist in trade to-day. but also to show some of the diffi- 
 culties /^\ the merchant has to contend with if he desires to conduct 
 est. legitimate business. We are not ft&htinff men. 
 
 .. merchant of to-day, be he engaged in 
 latever line he may. Deception. 
 ^/misrepresentation, and downright fraud 
 'confront him on every side. But as we are 
 ipeak of the evils that are common to our branch of busi- 
 Omg v of the most deceptive things of to-day is the present label 
 system. It is a gigantic fraud. Let us explain : A jobber, or even a 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 IS 
 
 retail merchant, can get an article labeled to suit his fancy or the 
 demand of his patrons. As a result you can buy any day in any city 
 in Illinois canned g""l^ _ bearing showy la- y^^ bels. reading 
 
 something like this: 1 " Selected Sugar ^Jxu^r . Corn," 
 
 •• Fancy Early c!\ 
 
 l\ib ayW<cs 7\\C i&TeR. • -H-eTM^e^ h 
 
 * ._ . 
 
 
 Kujk+- -Vtgyvv -Hi's Hot^ \j>c L c|lv 
 
 'o ^ FucfflVj 
 
 June Peas, Superior Quality." And the cans con} 
 tain simply the dried article soaked and canned. 
 
 Others read, "Fine Columbia River Salmon, 
 which do not contain an atom of genuine salmon; the cans are rilled 
 with a cheap fish known as steelbacks. Or, glass jars, with a hand- 
 some label, with the picture of a hone\ r bee, and the seductive words, 
 "Pure Honey," containing very little real honey, but a good deal of 
 glucose and a small piece of hone\'comb ; or. a pail of jelly, with a 
 most beautiful and attractive fruit label bearing the words. "Pure 
 Fruit," currant, raspberry or strawberry jelly, made almost entirely 
 of refuse from fruit, animal jelly and glucose, colored and flavored 
 to suit, and all taken from one and the same kettle. When the retail 
 merchant places an order, say for 25 pails of this jelly the salesman 
 will frequently ask, "What do you want this branded, currant, rasp- 
 berry, or assorted?" 
 
 These are facts, and you will readily see that you have only to 
 name your price and immediately there is forthcoming an article hav- 
 ing the appearance and bearing the label of the genuine goods, but 
 alas, lacking in quality. These are some of the' things a merchant 
 has to contend with, and these things will go on until the people are 
 made aware of the true condition of things and demand the enactment 
 and enforcement of laws compelling the manufacturer and merchant 
 
 labels 
 
 to s-nit. 
 
 an 
 
 out of tbc 
 
 fame 
 
 kettle. 
 
14 
 
 CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY. 
 
 to sell the goods they advertise under true labels, and until the people 
 realize that a gold dollar can not be bought for ( '<) cents. 
 
 The constant cry is for something cheaper, and adulteration and 
 deception is the result. We must be willing- to pay a fair price for a 
 d, pure, wholesome article, if we expect to get it. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Death Rate Growing What Causes It ? 
 
 We are pleased to note that very many people are beginning to 
 
 realize that food products when offered at prices that are below the 
 
 reasonable cost to manufacture a pure, wholesome article of the kind. 
 
 Unsafe are unsafe things to purchase and place on the table for the family to 
 
 things to eat. We quote here a little article, taken from one of the city papers 
 
 purchase, of recent date : 
 
 DEATH KATE GROWING. 
 
 DOCTORS ATTRIBUTE IT TO WHAT WE EAT, 
 
 "The constantly mcreasin 
 troubles is exciting the keenest 
 interest among the medical fra- 
 ternity. The prevalence of 
 these stomach disorders or <x}oaon 
 ailments the doctors attrib- 'Aktl 
 ute largely to impure food pro- 
 ducts with which the country 
 a at large seems to be flooded, and 
 floobeo i n an attempt to counteract _J 1 
 
 un-iber of death; 
 
 "V"*! '- 
 
 country. w hich many of the states have" 
 enacted pure food laws. The 
 
 from stomach 
 
 
 
 fact of the matter is the people of the United States are. as a rule, 
 too careless and indifferent as to what they eat or how it is cooked, 
 and the inevitable penalty of disordered stomachs is the result." 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 15 
 
 It will be seen that the above quotation is just what we have been 
 saying- in all the preceding chapters. 
 
 L,ook about you and see how much i nor c ~ co mmon diseases of this 
 character are new, among 
 your acquaintances, than 
 they were a few years ago. 
 See if you can find any 
 other satisfactory solution 
 of the cause. What we 
 need is a national pure iood;^--^"." "" ^^ Jl *"" 
 law compelling- merchants Tetivvir^G, witi^^-auT) o«^^<Au(.te-rAho7\ ss ~ a ^ |- 
 
 to sell what they advertise, under true and honest labels. If the goods 
 are impure or adulterated, the label should show it. Then, and not 
 till then, will the consumer be safe. 
 
 It will also be noted that our government just now is greatly con- 
 cerned over what General Miles called "embalmed beef.*' The whole 
 subject will be thoroughly ventilated by the new commission just ap- 
 pointed by the Secretary of War. From a long paragraph in The 
 Medical Record, we take the following sharp words: 
 
 "Aside from the reprehensible practice of adding 
 
 chemicals to any kind of food, there is a positive daug-er 
 
 ^in so doing, in slowly poisoning the unsuspecting- victim. 
 
 liDoubtless when the reports are made by the surgeons 
 
 who have had charge of the victimized men. it can be 
 
 more properly determined what real harm 
 
 this 'embalmed' beef has occasioned. In 
 
 any event a proper public sentiment 
 
 Wffwm\ hfgi i rL(rnoZ^3 wil1 be created against the general 
 <Tv U(n2^^S* aSi-c3Sa * principle of adulteration, by facts 
 
 which will be brought out in the im- 
 __ pending investigation. Morally and 
 scientifically any form of food 
 Shall fWeadulteration is always wrong, and 
 to-1ra^ mvj'q,m5 otn tf\£ the sooner the guilty jobbers can 
 T-tK<,Mvho>ss wWv A.<bol out learn this, the better/' 
 j)eo.tK &O JJesfiWum to Trxu Is it not a wise and safe policy 
 
 T^opLe. here at Home,. to give the health of the family the 
 benefit of all doubts in this matter, 
 
 sboufb tell the 
 truth. 
 
 Sloruly 
 poisoning. 
 
16 
 
 CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY. 
 
 and to keep clear of all suspicious and adulterated goods? The exhibi- 
 tion in our store of quite a line of samples of impure goods and ficti- 
 tious labels are sure to be of interest to you. 
 
 dream o\ 
 
 (Tartar 
 
 65 per cent. 
 
 plaster 
 
 parts. 
 
 
 
 
 GMAPTBR VII. 
 
 " There's "Death in the Pot/' 
 
 We ha Ye said a good deal 
 thus far on food adulteration. 
 deceptive labels, etc.. of the 
 different conditions that sur- 
 round both the merchant and 
 consumer in states where they 
 have pure food laws in opera- 
 tion, as compared with Illinois, 
 where we have practically no 
 laws. Let us show you some 
 of the results. Here are a few 
 
 examples, reported by the state chemist, for the state of Michigan. 
 
 taken from their Bulletin No. 22. 
 
 Analysis of samples by the state chemist. Taken from dealers 
 
 and being sold to the public. 
 
 Sample No. 385 Crkam OF Tartar. Scale of 100. 
 
 Cream of Tartar None per cent. 
 
 Phosphate of Lime 3.70 " 
 
 Gypsum (plaster paris ) 65.04 " 
 
 Moisture 14.26 " 
 
 Starch 2.34 " 
 
 Acid Phosphate of Lime 14. 5b " 
 
 Imitation of Cream Tartar. 
 
 Sample No 702— Cream of Tartar. 
 
 Cream of Tartar None 
 
 Water 12.04 
 
 Acid Phosphate of Lime 10.54 
 
 Phosphate of Lime 3.24 
 
 Gypsum 1 plaster paris). <>7.73 
 
 Starch 6.45 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 17 
 
 Sample No. 694 — Mustard. 
 
 Ash 3.65 " 
 
 . Starch 45.00 " 
 
 Coloring- Turmeric. 
 
 Mustard adulterated with wheat Hour. 
 
 Sample No. 678— Mustard. 
 
 Ash 3.18 " 
 
 Starch 53.56 " 
 
 Sample No. G, 351 — Ai.r.siMCK. 
 
 Ash 6.53 •• 
 
 Starch 12.91 " 
 
 Cracker crumbs Present. 
 
 Red saunders and wood splinters. .Present. 
 Allspice adulterated with cracker crumbs, red saunders and Moor 
 sweepings. 
 
 Sample No. 377 — Syrup, White Clover Drips. 
 
 Ash 59 per cent. 
 
 Moisture 19.36 " 
 
 Sucrose None. 
 
 Reducing- Sugar 53.57 " 
 
 Polarization, direct - - 130 degrees. 
 
 Polarization, indirect - - 130 degrees. 
 
 Glucose Syrup not. properly labeled. 
 
 Sample No. 701 — Mustard. 
 
 Ash 7.03 per cent. m„-f-,vS 
 
 Sand l.lo • •• 
 
 Yellow Ochre 2. OS '• " adulterated 
 
 Mustard adulterated with yellow ochre and sand. untb 
 
 Sample No. 379— Syrup, Gold Medal syrup. yellow ocbi 
 
 Ash.. " 1.58 per cent. ' anb satib. 
 
 Moisture 18.89 •■ 
 
 Sucrose 5.07 " 
 
 Reducing Sugar 36.36 " 
 
 Polarization, direct — 128 degrees. 
 
 Polarization, indirect - - 120 degrees. 
 
 Cane Sugar 5.97 per cent. 
 
 Glucose 94.03 " 
 
 Not properly labeled. 
 
 Sample No. 53 — Coffee. 
 
 Coffee 30.00 " 
 
 Potato Starch 60.00 " 
 
 Chickory • in. 00 " 
 
 After reading the foregoing illustrations you will surely agree with 
 us that it is high time some one should take up the subject of pure food 
 
18 
 
 CHEAPNESS <vs. PURITY. 
 
 prison 
 
 and ventilate the whole business. It is strong diet, to say the least, 
 and nothing but the *^|tl4 g">zzard of an ostrich could digest it. 
 
 and remain in a 
 
 1 
 
 healthy condi- 
 tion. 
 
 Nov*, in 
 states < 
 
 where 
 
 they have "^ - 
 pure food ~ 
 
 laws in force 
 there are se- 
 vere penalties 
 for the persons 
 who manufac- 
 ture, or the 
 merchants 
 who sell 
 
 SUCh , U«U S/VM- 
 
 goods. (tf*J^ frc^Cux^v^HW, 
 
 Iii the state,, ^^^L^ /' ^ z^ ^: ^^^\ 
 
 of Michigan CLkUj % ^y^-cl ojj a™. <9iMc\<" .-&&■ 
 
 this is the penalty : vw^ pe.fe|>(e Cc^-vi-f" _ " r — 
 
 Whosoever shall do auy of the acts, or thing's prohibited, or wilfully 
 neglect or ret use to do any of tin- acts, or things enjoined by this act. or in 
 any way violate any of the provisions, shall be deemed guilty of a misde- 
 meanor, and where no specific penalty is prescribed by this act, shall be 
 punished by a tine of not less than $100.00, nor more than $500.00, or by im- 
 prisonment in the county jail for a period of not less than 30 days, nor more 
 or both. Such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the 
 
 than 90 day 
 court, for each 
 
 i flense. 
 
 Do you like it ? Then why not have it so in Illinois ? Do you rest 
 secure in the supposition that such goods are not sold in our own state ? 
 Then arouse yourself quickly, for they are being sold every day. and 
 very few people raise hand or voice against it. We are doing what 
 we can. Will you help us? Our food exhibit in connection with 
 which this pamphlet is issued, is a practical exhibit, given by samples, 
 in such a way as to prove the statements that we have made, so that 
 you can see clearly for yourselves that our statements are true. 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 19 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 Liberty and Laiv A Step in Advance. 
 
 u 
 
 5 rumbling 
 
 the 
 
 consumer. 
 
 In the preceding chapter we showed you some of the practical 
 ■workings of the pure food laws in the State of Michigan. Those laws l 3 00 ^ 
 have this for their foundation : foundation 
 
 .. Act No. 193, laws of 1895, State of Michigan, is an act to prohibit and prevent the 
 adulteration, fraud and deception in the manufacture and sale of articles of food and 
 drink." 
 
 You will note that the above quotation is exactly what we have 
 been writing- about in all the preceding- chapters. It simply shows 
 that the State of Michigan has proved by actual purchase and chem- 
 ical tests, etc.. what we have learned by our own experience of over 
 thirty-two years in the grocery business in Galesburg. We look upon 
 the adulteration of food, and the sale of goods under false labels and 
 misleading advertisements, as an abomination to every dealer who 
 tries to conduct an honest business and an imposition and a swindle to 
 the consumer — put in its mildest form. And when food products are 
 adulterated with things detrimental to health, it becomes, if known 
 ( and every effort should be made to know ), a downright crime, and 
 should be severely punished. 
 
 We do not wish to convey the idea that we are the 
 only dealers who are 
 first-class 
 goods under 
 true and 
 honest 
 labels. 
 There 
 are many 
 others 
 who are 
 selling 
 the best 
 goods they 
 can buy. 
 
 and will -^=~^£-^^^ y^n^C.Tv^ V^ % 
 serve their (jrt&.vw Tavtcw T^t piaster J ftR'S 
 
 (I*, ALL r*, e Same ^o tfve y w ^(, ~v<x~ -A lU.^o.j) 
 
20 
 
 CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY. 
 
 patrons faithfully. Such merchants will agree with us in all we have 
 
 written as far as they have investigated, but they have not, perhaps, 
 
 given the matter as much thought and study. And yet we do maintain 
 
 xi tS ^ ^oyy. and declare that many goods of a very low order, 
 
 T^ ' C L man y that are adulterated so that they are in- 
 
 y\C' u -> a .jjk jurious to health : others that are falsely branded 
 
 are being sold in Illinois and even in our own 
 
 fair city, and in the majority of such cases 
 
 the dealer knows it. 
 
 We have a right to buy arsenic, if we 
 want to. and eat it. too, but the law provides 
 that we shall be protected, and no druggist 
 would dare sell it to us without putting on a 
 label telling us what it was, and that it was 
 poison. We should have the same protection 
 in the line of food. The label should show 
 what it is. and when impure, the dealer 
 jl ^ 'CftKf S Cll^^^ should be compelled to tell his customer 
 when he sells it. It is so now in Michigan. Wisconsin. Ohio and New 
 York, and our elaborate exhibit will show you how they have to 
 mutilate some of the original labels by sticking on OLcL- 
 gum labels which tell the plain truth of the con- ,/ ~VeVmn>\"t'~ 
 
 tents of the package, but which can be bought 
 here under the original false and deceptive , . - 
 
 label. A state law is good as far as it goes. /^ 
 
 reitator 
 Hiasoit. 
 
 a national pure food law. 
 
 Manu- >\VeTj^ Qtu > i v_ 
 facturers in the Senate. This resolution covers jj£ \ ^ )>\a£wL— 
 all the questions we have been writing about. We quote from one of 
 our trade journals a recent interview with Senator Mason in relation 
 to the resolution referred to above. He says: 
 
 but what we need is a national pure food law. 
 We are not alone in this matter : there are 
 others all over the country who are wide ]|Li 
 awake to the needs of the hour and are doing Jl&yJL ^\i 
 all they can to make things better. / |\9 jf\-t 
 
 It appears that a resolution has already 
 been before the Hou.se Committee on 
 
 "• We are the 
 ritizens in the 
 
 inly civilized country in the world which does not protect 
 matter of food adulteration, and this bill affects all article- 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 of food which are subject to such adulteration. Our 
 tea, coffee, vinegar, and spices, and at least 50 per 
 cent, of everything 1 else that goes upon our table, is 
 adulterated. Some of it is deleterious to health and 
 life, and all of it is fraudulent. This resolution has 
 been favorably reported by the Committee on Manu- 
 facturers and I hope to secure its passage. 
 
 21 
 
 "irtii\o.L> Ovqar(£r-- 
 
 S^C, factor, ej 
 
 Re 
 
 
 
 
 That is what we want and must have. Will 
 you think enough of this matter to ask our 
 own senator, Leon A. Townsend and Congress- 
 man George W. Prince what they think of it 
 and what they are going- to do about it ? 
 
 On January 6th, 1899, Gov. Tanner ap- 
 pointed a committee to represent Illinois at 
 the national pure food and drug- congress, 
 held in Washington January 18th. Among- them were Geo. A. Scherer. 
 President of the Illinois Retail Merchants' Association, and our fellow 
 townsman, Mr. H. M.-Sisson. 
 
 Now. fellow citizens, do you believe what we have 
 
 been telling you ? Many of you ii. 
 
 do. We X will- try and 
 
 %re it is M^d 
 
 IVbcit 
 arc they 
 going 
 to bo 
 
 about it? 
 
 mwwn 
 
 JmM Aj~-~ ; A'^<c,f~-i W;W^V*7?^^-^ 
 
22 
 
 CHEAPNESS™. PURITY. 
 
 satisfy any who may be in doubt before we get through. We are not 
 strangers among you. On the contrary, we are well known. We have 
 been doing- business here on this corner for nearly thirty-three years. 
 We have won a large patronage and an enviable reputation by the 
 fair and honorable methods we have used in conducting our business. 
 Our reputation is not for sale. We have watched the rapid growth of 
 existing evils for the past few years, until it has reached such mighty 
 proportions, that to remain silent when we are in possession of the 
 facts, is to become a party to this great wrong. We are opposed to 
 this whole infamous business of deception and fraud, such as are in 
 common practice in trade to-day. 
 
 Are you sufficiently interested to give us your moral support? We 
 would be pleased to have you tell us what you think about it. If 
 you have become interested in this matter by what we have written, 
 we have been repaid for our labor. 
 
 CMAPTER IX. 
 
 The Teaching of Experience, 
 
 dbat 
 
 nely church 
 
 ouster. 
 
 ttiu, ri, 
 
 Life is a school-room, from the cradle to the grave, and 
 we are all learners. We have had some rare bits 
 of experience : let us tell you a little 
 of it here. As we proceeded with 
 our investigations we visited fac- 
 tories and stores. In each case we 
 them squarely what we 
 ted, and what we proposed 
 to do, so that if they did not 
 care to aid us. then and there 
 was the time to say so. But 
 we learned that they could 
 'not all be relied upon to 
 carry out their promises. 
 One day we passed through 
 a large factory at the invi- 
 Ws~ H** mu s^r «.$** prftf^& tation of the head of the 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 23 
 
 firm. Ho had seemingly been greatly interested in what we were 
 doing: (and from subsequent events (!) we have no doubt he was i. 
 While sitting in his private office, and examining some of the evi- 
 dences we had secured, regarding adulterations in another branch of 
 trade, he gave utterance to this expression: •• My God, how do we 
 live?" His factory bore every indication of adulteration and de- 
 ception, but he claimed to be sick of the whole business, and very 
 desirous of a belter order of things. We selected three or four dozen 
 samples for our exhibit, and went on our way. We waited two 
 weeks for the goods, but they did not arrive. In reply to an inquiry as 
 to the cause of delay the firm replied that they were entirely ignorant 
 <>f the order of merchandise we referred to. We determined to make 
 them another visit, and on entering their office, discovered at once 
 that the whole atmosphere was changed. But— then— the —weather 
 
 house. His mem- 
 former visit, 
 said, *'What 
 there at 
 food 
 in the 
 hesi- 
 
 was— cooler! We again met the head of the 
 
 ory was very defective regarding, our 
 
 Pressing the point, he suddenly 
 
 are you trying to do down 
 
 Galesburg — get a pure 
 
 law ? " We replied 
 
 affirmative. He 
 
 tated a moment, 
 
 shrugged his 
 
 shoulders. 
 
 lieve we 
 
 matter at 
 
 under- 
 
 intervie 
 
 we had 
 
 than 
 
 4th>M -kc **** 
 
 ^w&b**k^ 
 
 and said: 7 ~y 1 don't be- 
 
 care ^txTtake up this 
 
 present." ^W 7 e clearly 
 
 stood the situation. The 
 
 was ended; and although 
 
 known these people for more 
 
 twenty years, and had trans- 
 
 it gceat 
 question. 
 
 acted some business with them, when the testing time came they were 
 weighed in the balances, and found wanting. 
 
 But " there are others." 
 
 One day we were talking on this same subject, with the head of 
 the canned goods department of one of the largest wholesale gro- 
 cers in Chicago. He declared that conditions surrounding trade 
 to-day are the bane of commercial life. Referring to false brands 
 and labels, he turned to one side, and picking up a can of soaked peas. 
 
 IDeigbeb 
 iu tbc 
 balances. 
 
24 
 
 CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY. 
 
 said most vigorously, ''If I had my way about it. I would have such 
 goods branded this way, in large letters : 
 
 :iot 
 
 luortb a 
 —snap. 
 
 THESE PEAS ARE SOAKED AND BLEACHED 
 
 and furthermore, 
 they are not worth a — snap! " 
 
 put the 
 
 plaster 
 
 tubere the 
 
 pain if. 
 
 While we found that nearly all wholesale dealers and manufac- 
 turers^ were forced to manufacture, or sell, more or less, of false labeled 
 j|~ T^^fi or adulterated goods, we are glad to 
 
 Y;f l say that the great majority only. 
 
 do so because they are forced 
 
 to do so by their patrons, or 
 
 dishonest competition, and 
 
 - they would hail with joy wise 
 
 legislation in this matter. 
 
 We have made some scath- 
 ing- statements, but they are 
 true. You will notice we have 
 avoided any personal allusion 
 from beginning to end, save 
 in one instance : in chapter 
 three, reference was made. to an 
 old long-ago-defunct establishment. 
 M«t f/«fer However, we hope wherever there 
 tuhirz. the. 'ftu7\ 13 ' is a pain, the healing plaster will 
 
 be applied. The right kind, if applied in time, will effect a cure ! 
 
 GHAPTER X. 
 
 Bargains and Bargains. 
 
 In writing upon the important subject of food adulteration and 
 deception, we have tried to show in their true light many methods in 
 common practice to-day all over our land, by unscrupulous merchants 
 and manufacturers, which are intended to deceive the purchaser and 
 lead him to suppose he is offered some extraordinary bargains, when. 
 as a matter of fact. many. of the "bargains" are dear at any price. 
 
A FLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 25 
 
 *™fe 
 
 ISjT-7 
 
 iccount of their adulterated or fraudulent 
 character: and then, these same mer- 
 chants, or manufacturers, will pose 
 before the people as public benefac- 
 tors, for having brought down prices. 
 But inodern business men are not all 
 of this order. During the time we Sit' 
 have been probing into this business, jf**! a 
 we have found many of unimpeachableL "'_ Hl 
 character, and sterling worth, and 
 we have been made to realize as we^, a 
 never did before, that reputation is 
 what we pass current for on the " Slv ^ 
 
 street, but character is what we are, and we desire to pay tribute to 
 the high standing- of some of our Western millers, out 
 in Kansas and Nebraska, which has been made evi- 
 dent through an experience gained since the preced- 
 ing chapters were written. It is an open "secret 
 among dealers in groceries, whether the people 
 know it or not. that a large amount of flour 
 made from wheat grown and milled in those 
 states, is being- sold through this section under 
 lictitious brands, like "Best Northern," or "Best 
 Minnesota Flour." the brand on the sack beari 
 
 U public 
 
 benefactor. 
 
 
 ***/ T a ^- 1^*- ■■<■ 
 
 
 -■c^a-v-c^- ^-uaW - Ce-l)*.^) 
 
 lg 
 
 every evidence of being genuine Minnesota or 
 Northern flour. To test the matter and find out 
 to what extent this was being- done, we wrote 
 several letters to Western millers, asking quotations 
 on their flour, put up under Minnesota or Northern 
 brands. Be it said to their credit that three of 
 these millers promptly replied in strong, though 
 courteous, language, that they were not engaged 
 m that kind of business. It is refreshing in these / 
 days to find men of that stamp, holding their 
 standard high. But there were others. JL^^ 
 
 who quoted the price of their product, and *A^W 
 
 were ready to furnish the goods under any ^~^^ -^^ ', 'i-Sfr 
 
 brand desired. * ^." ^ T^'lls*. 
 
 <** -*> v X Sill "*i Q<xxLe \ 
 
 Character 
 or 
 
 policy, 
 mbicb? 
 
26 
 
 CHEAPNESS w. PURITY. 
 
 latcbein a\ib 
 rhiiiem. 
 
 GtlAPTBR XI. 
 
 What of the Future ? 
 
 That is the problem of the hour and we, fellow citizens and busi- 
 ness men. are here to solve it. With the firm of Fraud, Cheat & Co., 
 on one side, and Catchem & Skinem on the other, it is indeed a prob- 
 lem. We have already proven to you, in chapter seven, that vile and 
 unwholesome goods are for sale in almost every city and state in Uncle 
 Sam's domain, and in most cases without restraint. But our food 
 exhibit clearly shows that the brand, or label, on goods which should 
 convey the truth to the purchaser, means practically nothing, and in 
 thousands of cases is a monstrous fraud. Any retailer who is so dis- 
 posed can find multitudes of manufacturers 
 who will put up a iroods for him and label or 
 brand them 
 to dictate. 
 
 
 11} 
 
 
A PLEA FOR WHOLESOME FOOD. 
 
 27 
 
 many manufacturers are daily tempting him in every way they can. 
 ( hoping- thereby to secure a liberal order ) to buy adulterated or infe- 
 rior goods, telling him they will send them to him under a genuine 
 brand, or label . and the people will never know the difference, and he 
 can make a larger profit. It is a strong temptation in these days 
 when eompetition is so keen, and the people themselves, not knowing 
 the facts, constantly demanding " Lower Prices ! " " Lower Prices ! " 
 until it is simply impossible to produce an honest article at the price 
 
 demanded. Many a merchant loses his head and falls into the net, 
 sells out his principle, smothers his conscience, by saying - to himself, 
 " Others do it, the public clamor for it, let them have it ! Let them 
 have it .' There is more money in it for me anyhow," and he joins the 
 mighty throng. His clerks know of it, and look on in astonishment at 
 their hitherto honest and truthful emplo3 T er, and exclaim. " Alack, 
 how are the mighty fallen !" and ask the vital question. Can a man 
 conduct an honest business to-day, and be successful? Fellow mer- 
 chant, let us ask a plain question right here for us all to ponder: 
 How can we expect honest service on the part of our clerks if we are 
 .guilty of these things ourselves? For we, who are in business, know 
 far better than the great mass of the people can know, that, whether 
 this is true in our case or not, it is of daily occurrence all around us. 
 
 We are in possession of facts that go to prove that business trans- 
 actions have taken place and merchandise has been sold under condi- 
 tions that would not bear to have the search light of truth turned upon 
 them, even here in Galesburg. during the year just closed. There 
 must be wise and sDeedy legislation, national laws must be enacted 
 and enforced, that will govern the whole business of false labels, mis- 
 leading advertisements, etc. The dealer should be compelled to fur- 
 nish the quality and quantity he advertises : if this is not done, it is only 
 
 u strong 
 temptation. 
 
 dbc 
 searchlight 
 
 of truth. 
 
28 CHEAPNESS vs. PURITY. 
 
 a question of time, and that not far distant, when the strictly honest 
 dealer will pull down his sign and retire from business, for he can not 
 meet the prices of adulterated goods, deceptive labels, etc.. with true 
 and honest goods. These are indeed serious problems and worthy our 
 most sober thought, from a physical, commercial and economic stand- 
 point. But right will prevail. We are a mighty nation of liberty lov- 
 ing people. We only require to be enlightened on any great moral 
 question that we may see 
 the need of the hour. ^V4- ^ . *. 
 
 public 
 
 
 ; A ?* 
 
 
 and there will come 
 such an avalanche 
 of public sentiment 
 sentiment. that nothinff can = 
 
 resist it. A Kansas ^ 
 cyclone won't be a 
 
 c o m pari so n . Bar- ' Wm&!m 
 
 iiiim, the famous - 
 showman, used to 
 say. "The people -~~" 
 
 love to be hum- ; V : ,; ^o^Tu^. 
 
 bugged," but we notice 
 
 that he was careful to see that the crowds left his canvas well satis- 
 fied that they had received the worth of their money, from the stand- 
 point of a show. Abraham Lincoln said, " You can fool all the people 
 sometimes, you can fool some of the people all the time, but you can't 
 fool all the people all the time." We are even now looking towards 
 the dawn of better things. This will be the sure result. Holiest and 
 sound principle are sure to win in the long run. as deception and fraud 
 are to end in disaster and shame. Absolute honesty in business rela- 
 tions, as well as in other relations, is the only thing that will stand 
 the test of time. 
 
 This is our answer to the question of many employes, and we hope 
 this book will be largely read by them. 
 

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