CHICAGO DRINK SWINDLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9229, 17 June 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHICAGO DRINK SWINDLES.

An interesting report by Dr. Hamel Van Roos on swindles practised in America has just beon issused. Dr. Roos says :—" The imitation of trademarks and label* of European firms who make spirituous liquors has developed in America in a manner truly alarming. There are establishments entirely engaged in the making of spurious liquor, and thoir proprietors send out catalogues stating that they are able to give special useful information to those who desire to enter into the fraudulent traffic. " One firm," says Dr. Hamel Van Roos, "announces that it is prepared to sell recipes for manufacturing cider without apples, and for converting cidor into any sort of wine." The firm also offer reoipes for making spurious strong vinegar in 24 hours, and for the preparation of beautiful colouring matters for use in giving to all drinks, wines, spirits, etc, the appearance of the best brands. Essences are also advertised in the catalogues for manufacturing, at scarcely any cost, every kind of spirituous liquid. " Best Irish Whisky" is a label found on a liquor made from drugs which never saw Ireland, and Dr. Van Roos makes similar charges about wines. Dr. Roos gives two illustrations of curaeoa and Geneva bottles labelled as of Amsterdam .and Schiedam. The linns whoso names are gives on the labels do not exist in either town. The firms making the bogus liquor are crammed with orders for Chicago, and working nighis and day to get stocks ready for the European visitors,