Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-04-03

have been thrown whole into the
lard tanks. The grease tried out
of them was afterwards compound
ed with water to make it heavier
and stearine to make it frmer,
after which it was sold as lard.
The introduction OF cotton-seed-oil
marked the turn of the tide. Since
that time the quality of American
lard has been constantly improy-
ing. Much of the straight hog lard
is now as wholesome as animal fat
can be, and all of the .cot.on-seod-
oil lard ie heaithful, as will be
shown by the medical testimony to
be adduced later ON. But first a
few words as to the manufacture
and properties of it.
The value of the plants engaged
in the business is estimated to be
between $50, GOO, 600 and $4,000
600. 1t has been generally suppos.
ed that the manufacture ofthis pro-
duct is entirely controlled by, a
trust, but this is an error. The
largest manufacturers ofthe oil are
the American Cotton-Oi Trust and
the Southern Cotton-Oil Company,
which are active competitors in 'tne
business. Outside of these two
large concerns there are numerous
independent mills throughout
the country, which are In turn
competitors of the other two.
Attempts have been made to give
the impression that the farmers
throughout the country are oppos-
ed to the use of cotton-seed oil in
the manufacture of lard compounds
but the Southern farmer has repu.
dated this claim and demands that
this valuable product of his farm
shall not be intertered with. 1t is
difficult to understand how Con-
'gress can reasonably claim to legis.
late upon this subject, inasmuch
as it is a special business, in which
-. COMPETITORS IN TRADE
are chiefly interested. The result
of this agitation has been to affect
the manufacturers of lard com.
pound and the export business, in
all the, lard trade. At a recent
hearing in Congress an important
protest was submitted on the part
of New York merchants and ex.
porters, representing nearly S15,.
100000 of capital, against the fur.
ther- agitation. of the question, on
the ground of injury TO the Amer:
lean trade. 1t also appeared that
the result Of the agitation several
years ago had served to increase
the manufacture of refined lard, in
foreign countries, lard refineries
having been built in Hamburg, In
Liverpool and in Stettln, where
the oil made from Egyptian seed is
utilized in the manufacture of'eot.
ton oil. The result has. been te
place our American products undo,
a ban, so that lards and lard com.
pounds manufactured in this coun.
try, although of equal merit anG
quality to tn foreign product, can
not be sold for an. equal price,
Foreign countries haye. also, beer
led to discriminate in their Gus
toms laws against oil products
made in this country and imposed
onerous duties upon the importa
ton of the article. The tendency
of such legislation as this is to en-
courage. retaliatery Legislation II
the various States,. it being init
mated by the farmers of the Soutf
that if Congress undertakes TO in
jure cotton-seed oil they will de-
inand and insist upon the passag.
OF bills discriminating against TIT
manufacture and sale of lard on &C
count Of the obnoxious method
| which are. understood to prevail
among some packers in the manu-
acture of it.. On this point testi
Imony was introduced at a. hearinI
lin Congress, at the last session
(which, iftrue, would justify the be
lrsf1hat practices are ndulged il
whNh would not be agreeable I
peopfSof sensitive, tastes. i
Itis saly. in this country ths
any, attempt il made TO hscrlra
mate against SO valuable and lntei
estIng ptodnst. Yet, al Has b
} fore bsens stated the introduct1o
/ of cotton-seed oil into. lard con
, pounds has improued. the quail
,of all the lard manufactured in til
country. It had to be improved
order to meet the competition
1.-THE compound witch is sold 4
about three-quarters ola cent? lie
-lperspound than the alleged. pu
,Ihog lard. The cotton-seedsoiI cor
pound is as much entit1edto be d
scrfbed as lard as any article know
by this name in this country; I
e.lthere has been little. if any, abs
eElately pure lard,for forty years.
Il aob.sa COMPOUND LARD "a -.
is made up of, from 80 to, % p
! cent. of,prtme steam lard-that
the hog fat product twice render
land puufesdm,.15.to , "a per. GENT.
prime cotton-seed oil and D. to
:, per cent. of beef or lard stearln
l fhe profits tothe manufacturer
this compounds notlarge, var
e ing from one-eighth to one;auari
f cent per pound. ..s4as.., =. !.
If this compound lard is who.
,some, to fegislate it out Of ext
. ence would be an arbitrary exerci
gfef. power in the interested a hcls
IS as against the advantage of t
community. As was pointed, q
by one of the witnesses before t
committee, 1t Is against public p
icy to tax any legitimate. food pl
ducts or to restrict the sale Of th'
which cheaper the cost ,ot Hvl
~ and in the manufacture of VIII
:. millions of capital and thousands
: men are employed. Tt is Also o'
trary to,public policy to diseours
those industries which add to.
wealth of the country by. turnl
y into valuable channels produ
which would otherwise be wor
:, less or greatly reduced in value.
II There can be no question t
~ cotton-seed-oil and. cotion,seed.
"a lard compounds are wholesor
When the Legislature of n
y Hampshire was discussing q so1
"a what similar bill to the one n
before Congress- all, the members