Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-25
Datlu Krnnfbtr journal.
Our Dairy Interests In Jeopardy


Our Dairy Interests In Jeopardy.
That the American people delight to be
humbugged does not require demonstra-
ton. But of all the humbugs thatever have
been foisted upon them none are more
pernicious or more despicable than oleo-
margarine. the sale and manufacture of
which. while making only slight headway
up to 1873, has within three years increas-
ed with ominous rapidity. In New York
City and State alone, the annual man
ufaeture amounts to 10000. 900 pounds,
or about one fifth of the entire
dairy product of the State and the pos
sibilities of the future of oleomargarine
are very great. 1t is estimated that in New
York State ll6,0O0, 900 pounds of the inn
imitation butter can be manufactured in
year, or more than the entire dairy pro-
duct of that State. But not alone in the
Empire State is this insidious compound
gaining ground. While the manufacture is
carried on only in favored localities. the
sale is increasing in every large city
throughout the Union, while evenin Maine
it has crept cunningly in. and while some
of our citizens may be fiattering them
selves with the idea that they are butter
ing their bread with nice jersey butter.
they perhaps are using nothing but
colored tsllow
This humbug, however. threatens to
destroy the great industry of dairying. in
which npw ards of 5000 900 of our people
are engaged as means of gaining live
lihood. and the money value of which
exceeds that of the wheat or the corn crop
or that OF cotton and wool combined, and
is between 400 and 600 millions of dol
lars.
Furthermore. the expectation of imi-
tation butter without marks TO distinguish
it from the genuine article has already
worked vast injury TO American
dairy products in European mar
kets. Something must be done. Our
dairy interests must be preserved.
The yearly loss to the farmers OF
New York State through oleomargarne
is estimated at $4,000 to 5000 900, and
in other States it is increasing. The pro-
ducts of our cows cannot successful
ly compete with butterine which can be
manufactured at cost of nine cents a
pound.
Dairymen, however, are alive to the i'm
portance of taking immediate action. The
tocsin has been sounded. and vigorous
war will he waged on ilegitimate butter.
At the December convention of the Ma
tional Cheese and Butter Association, held
at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a strong sentiment
was worked up against the adulterators.
A resolution was passed. calling on Con-
gress to protect the legitimate trade and
the people; and a committee of l3 was
appointed to see that proper steps were
taken to secure the passage Of a law on
the subject. The matter is now before
Congress, and Congressman show con-
siderable interest in efforts to secure the
enactment of law which ltall prevent
the sale and expectation of oleomargarine
except under its own proper name, and
several bills have already been introduced
into the House with this purpose in view.
Another bill now before the Ways and
Means committee seeks to impose stamp
tax Of ten cents per pound on every pack
age of any compound sold as imitation
butter. This plan is favored by Commits
sioner Raum, and it appears to be the only
feasible one yet suggested that will give
adequate protection to the legitimate trade
II is earnestly desired that the present
Congress shall take some action towards
protecting our dairymen, for If oleomarga-
rine continues its course another year un-
restrained, it is feared that its hold will be
so strong that it will he impossible TO
shake it Off