The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-03
He Tells the House Committee OF
Agriculture all About 1t.
The Use of Cotton OH Takes the
Place of Water in Lard.
It Eardens and Enables 1t to Stand
the Warm Weather.
There Is Nothing Deieterious or On.
wholesome in Its Admixture with
Lard, But on the other
Hand Is Beneficial.

--
WASHINGTON, March e.-Abram ].
Jewell, a commission merchant Of New
York, and member Vi the New York
Produce Exchange, appeared before the
House committee on agriculture this
morning.
Up TO 1887, he said, he had been in the
lard business, and had dealt largely in
lard. Ills firm had been probably the
first in the country TO manufacture refined
lard, Before tho hog packing business
was brought to its present state OF ex-
cellencc, and when the hogs were cured
in small establishments. Il was almost inn
possible to get thousand tierccs Of lard Of
any quality, and his firm had conceived
the idea Of re-rendering the lard so as to
make II uniform. II put no outside sub
stance into the lard, but into tho lard
which was exported TO South American
countries IL mixed stearine in order 10
harden the lard and enable II to stand the
warm weather. Competition had grown
so rapidly that manufacturers wanted
something TO cheaper the product and
used water. Finally, so much water was
put into the lard that the buyers rejected
IT, As much as 50 per cent. Of water was
put in. Today steam lard contained -
per cent OF water. scarcely any less than |
per cent. Kettle rendered lard
was absolutely free from water.
When the buyers refused the lard on ac-
count OF the large amount OF water In II,
the manufacturers looked about for some
cheap article 10 take its place, and fixed
upon cotton seed oil. II was found that
Il combined with lard without damaging
II, while il cheapened Its cost. The add
ing OF the oil TO the Lard necessitated the
use OF a hardening substance, like stearinc,
to countcract II. About then cotton seed
oil began to bc used, and oleomargarine
and stearinc came into the market IL
was made from the kidney fat Of the bull
lock. There was nothing purcr that could
come from an animal fat, and Il was used
in hardening lard. lie did not know ex.
actly what proportion ol cotton seed oil
went into the lard, but Ie should think
the proportion 10 be about sixty pounds OF
lard 10 twenty-five pounts Of oil and If
teen pounds OF stoarine. This product, he
considered 10 be wholesome, and Just as
good ~ puro lard rs laf as cooking was
concerned. There were standard quail
ties OF cotton seed oil, but he did not
know that they differed except as TO
color.
The Chairman-Do you know how cot
ton seed oil Is transported from the south2
The Wtness-l think Il comes In barrels.
The Chairman-Do you know whether
the Standard Oil company is transporting
cotton seed oil from the sodth In coal oil
, tanks2
The witness-I do NOT. I never heard
Of Il, but think Il would be practicable.
The Cbairman--W Well, do you regard II M
n proper thing for the standard oil COM
many 10 hll tanks IN rcnnsylvania with
coal oil aud take them south, aud then iill
them with cotton seed oil fortransportaiion
10 the northp
r The witncss-No slr, Il would utterly
/ ruin II.
The Chairman-li this has been done Il
would change your views about the whole
someness Of this product
The Witness could not be done With
: out detection.
i The Chairman-Thcn Il has been dis
2 covered, because u hiss been done. Ths
: evidence IL conclusive on that point. Tho
, parties who transported have sworn 10 i
; before the interstate commerce commits
. sion The chair knows c1actly what II II
9 talking about
y Mr.. Crowell-At the proper time
!; would like the privilege Of correcting the
u chairman.
o The Chairman The chairman would no
like 10 be corrected II yoi bring men her
TO pcrjure themselves.
Mr. Morgan Would not a business
n man who would do that b. derangcdi
Is Tho witncss-If he wanted 10 use th'
|. oil for culinary purposes Ny idea u tha
n YOU could not put cotton seed oil In kcro
!, sine tanks without damscing H.
:, In answer 10 the queflions by Mr.. Nor
y gan, the witness repcalrd his staiomen
- that the cotton seed oil aud sicarino wa
!, put into the lard 10 cl ,apcn the price
y The contest going on he cganlcd ~ con
= troyensy between bushes Interested II
4 maintaining the price oi,prd and one IN
r. tercstcd In giving an cq|aly good arlicl'
:" at n cheaper price. lie NJ not think tha
the falling OF In the c,t uns Of lard coul'
be entirely accounted fof by the Tact ina
the refined lard was oxl Jted. II nigh
\. be caused by an incrcas IN the Europcal
n hog and olive crops.
" Sir. Laird presented 10 tho witness
u sample Of cotton socd oil aud asked hi
opinion IA 20 iis quality.
After examining Il he witness .replic
that the man who would put Il In his lar
"a must be crazy.
OF Mr.. Iaird-Eithor crary or corrupt
he The witness did moi think that tha
quality was put into lsfl Tho oil put !
was perfectly sweet. Cotton seed o
properly refined was as wholesome ~ an
other vegetable oil.
~ Cross-examincd by NJ Wilson, witnc'
n stated that he did not think reiinera en-
nd ploycd chemists and did not know whlcths
a white grcase-made fron smothored hoi
an was used In the manniacinrc Of rciine
~ lard. lie thought that thc object oi IN
~ controversy was that The manufacturers
y, compounded lard should brand II as con
NV pounded lard.
Mr.. wilson--suppoecii gets 10 be know
abroad that what u being sold ~ priin
: lard contains 40 per csnt Of cotton sec
q, oil, would not that crAie disIfu'' an
ny hurt the trade In pure lfdl a.
W. The Witncm-It would not crcae oi
,y, trust business men geAenlly have neas
I'm enough 10 know whether they are Ouyi
Fas trash or good article.
per In reply 70 Mr.. Cromwell vitncss s'a.s .'a.,
NN