Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-23
CONGL0MERATE LARD
Opinion Divided on the Merits of Con-
gers and ButterWOrth'S Bills.
SOME HOGGERY IN THE HOG TRADE
Deprived Americans of the Business in
Europe Years Ago.
WHAT COMPOUND LARDIS,OR SHOULD BE

The trade in this city is somewhat divided
in opinion regarding the merits of the
Conger and ButterWorth bills for the taxing
of compound lard, some thinking the public
able to get along very well in biscuit max
ing without legislation, while others think
pastry might be improved thereby.
Mr.. Henry Rea, of Rea & Co., says that if
people are deprived of compound lard they
will pay some 25 per cent more for the
hog product without corresponding ad-
vantage. He regards it just as he
does oleomargarine-it is good thing for
the poor if sold on its merits, and the in
fusion Of stearine and cotttonseed oil rather
adds to than diminishes its claims on the
score of health.
E. s. Bell said that compound lard, if
properly made, was better than the country
lard so much talked about. The trade could
easily knock compound lard out if it
wanted to. The trouble, he said, was that no
one can be sure what is in 1t for a certainty,
as cottonseed oil is too dear. Tallow is not
deleterods, in fact it lends flavor.
At E. H. Myers & Co.'s house Mr..
Succop lodged the issue, but Mr.. Myers
talked freely. Heattacbed no weight to the
complaint that the country is unable to
supply a sufficient amount of the pure
article. If properly made, the compound is
healthy enough, but it will not keep sweet
long.
WOULDN'T HURT AT ALL.
Incidentally Mr.. Myers remarked that if
the United States Government were to ap-
point inspectors in the large packing
centers to assure customers purity,
no harm would be done The composite
lard cannot be palmed of on customers
for the genuine article, as oleomargarine
can, as any expert cook can detect the differ
ence and many people prefer it at the lower
price to the genuine article. All that is
needed then is that the compound be what
it is represented. Mr.. Myers stated that
he was in business in Chicago when this
country lost its hold upon European mar
kets, and knew that brokers were as much
to blame for it as packers. An order would
be sent for long sides and they would be
frequently shipped within five or six days
after sailing and without a renewal thereof
at intervals during 20 days, or there
abouts, the time necessary to cure them
we'll. In consequence much meat was
spoiled by the time it had reached Europe
and condemned by the inspectors of the diff
ferent governments, and dealers there lost
money. In consequence when Bismarck be-
supported by traders as well as farmers.
Twas the same in France. and spoiled car
goes shipped to Glasgow and other cities in
the q nited Kingdom destroyed the reputation
OF American pork there also. This greed had
more to do with depriving us Of the Euro
pean market than had Irichine.
A DIFFERENCE OF TASTE.
A gentleman at j. A. Hoeveler's estab-
lisnment said that most people will take the
compound article in preference to the pure
at the difference in price. He regarded it
just as healthy as the genuine stuff.
Mr.. Edsall, of Arbuckles & Co., thought
the compound all right as long as it is sold
on its merits. He also thought oleomar-
garine was good thing if sold as oleo.
Walker, Dunlevv & Co. do not take much
stock in compound lard. One OF the firm
said that no one knew when using it whether
it was the product of hogs properly killed
or those that had died from accident OF
disease. Even putrid grease can be deodor-
lied so that it cannot be detected by the
handler and user, and thus disease may be
spread by the use of the compound stuff.
He could see no merit in the mixed product,
and his adherence of it was evident.
7. G. Jenkins and Mr.. Lewellyn agreed
that the compound article gave pretty gen.
eral satisfaction. They said that most re-
tail dealers preferred 1t because their GUS
toners did. In hot weather it was frmer
than the genuine article. Once when stear-
inc was high priced and consequently lack
ing in the compound there was great dis
satisfaction among customers. Their lard
ran like oil. Mr.. Jenkins said the lard of
animals that died of themselves was just as
liable to be used in the regular way as in
the compound article.
Many women say they prefer the genuine
article, and if they use cottonseed oil they
prefer it in the shape of ''oiline" at So a
gallon.