The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1886-05-12
Borgus Butter.

lUIlntlltldl tIltStiiihtl'h vi '"''
intrests: Every manufacturer OF
any kind of butter which is not the
actual product Of milk or cream but
which is in whole or part composed
Of any oleolnargar.ne substance,
suine, tallow, beef, fat, suet, lard,
oils, compounds, extracts or mlXtllr'
es thereof, or animal fats, shall keep
upon that side Of the building pro
minently exposed to public view, a
sign reading, "imltation batter fact
ory,' with full name and address OF
the owner in letters not less than
ixnches in length, painted III white
letters on black ground, or wee
versa. and any person neglectlng to
comply with this law is made sub
iect to IA fine of not less than one
thousand dollars or more than five
thousand and may also be imprlson-
ed for term OF not less than six
months or more than two years.
Every person, firm or corporation
engaged in selling. by wholesale or
retail, any imitation butter shail
place at the entrance TO his place OF
business and in each room used as
a salesroom, "A sign similarly letter
ed, reading, "dealer in imitation
butter,' and the penalty for neglect
in same as for manufacturers.
All manufacturers Of imitation
b litter are taxed five hundred dol.
lars upon commencing business and
upon the first day Of January Of
each year thereafter shall receive
license from the commissioner of In
ternal revenue to manufacture dur.
ing that year, the license to be pub
licly exposed to expire on the last
day of December Of that year.
Wholesale dealers are taxed two
hundred and fifty dollars, and re-
tail dealers one hundred dollars
and receive license in the same
manner as manufacturers. Every
person found manufacturing inlta
ton butter without having paid the
tax is liable to the payment OF the
tax, and in addition, a fine OF not
less than five thousand dollars.
The fine for wholesale dealers sell
ing without the license is not less
than five hundred nor more than
two thousand dollars, and for retail
dealers, not less than fifty, or more
than five hundred dollors. Each
manufacturer or dealer in imitation
butter is compelled to keep a set OF
books in which he must daily enter
an accurate and detailed account OF
all imitation butter, manufactured
mixed and prepared, sold, consnm-
ed removed or otherwise disposed
of, showing the amount Of the pro
duct manufactured, and a descrlp-
ton thereof of the substance, in
proportional parts, composing the
same, and to whom sold, shipped OF
delivered, and shall make a sworn
abstract of the books to the cOllec
tor of his district. The books are
to be at all times open to inspection
by the internal revenue officers or
other agents of the treasury depart
ment, and by the commissioner of
Agriculture. Failure to comply
with this provision, is punishable
by fine of not less than five hun
dred nor more than two thousand
dollars, and by imprisonment for
term not less than six months nor
more than two years. A tax of ten
cents per pound is levied upon all
such butter to be paid by placing
upon each tub box, tirkin or pack
age of butter, a stamp to be prepar-
ed by the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue. The stamps are to he
sold only to makers who have paid
the special tax required, and who
hold licenses. Punishment for
avoiding the payment of this tax by
manufacturers is a fine of not less
than 500 nor more than $1,000, and
Imprisonment not less than six mon
this or more than two years. For
wholesale or retail dealers purchas-
ing or receiving such butter which
has not the revenue stamp affixed,
the punishment is n fine of fifty
dollars for each offence. Every
package offered for sale must be
distinctly and durably branded
with the words "imitation butter"
and the name Of the maker, and
any neglect to do this is punishable
by fine of 800. Anyone obliter
ating such brand shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon
thereof, shall he liable to
a fine of not less than five hundred
and not more than two thousand
dollars, or imprisoned for term of
not less than six months and not
more than two years. This bill is
Of great importance to the dairy in,
terests of the country, which are
seriously damaged 10y the large and
rapidly increasing sale of manufac-
tured butter under the guise of the
real article.