POST OFFICE WARNS CITIZENS OF FRAUDULENT GERMAN 'BOOZE POWDERS'
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 13, 1922, the Sunday Star reports the Post Office Department is warning American citizens about purchasing German "booze powder" through the mails for use in home brewing.
According to the United States Post Office, German concerns have circulated offers of such powders to make "wine...sherry...port...beer...porter...ale" for one dollar each (in American currency)."
The powders are advertised to produce one to two gallons of homemade brew. While the powders themselves do not contain liquor, "they do not have the latent possibilities advertised" and thus are in violation of mail fraud* statutes.
*mail fraud is the use of intentional deception for monetary or personal gain including both of the following elements:
1. a scheme to defraud
2. the mailing of a letter
SOURCE
"'Booze Powders' Sold By Germans Declared Frauds," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., August 13, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
