New-York tribune., 1893-12-30
MERCHANTS IN A SQUABBLE
PRODUCE DEALERS BECOME EXCITED OVER
THE BUTTER QUESTION
A COMMISSIONER CHARGED WITH FAvORNG THE
INCREASED MANUFACTURE OF OLEoMARoA-
RINE-LAxITY OF THE REVENUE
LAWS POINTED OUT.

LAWS POINTED OUT.
There was q meeting yesterday morning In the
Mercantile Exchange room OF produce dealers III
IN the of the Federal and State
laws hearing on the Illegal sale of oleomargarlne
About 900 men attended. and William Wills presided
A petiton was submitted by committee OF butter
packers calling attention to alleged irresuiaries Ia
exports by which the trade in genuine butter SUI
fered. Official statistics show that during e'e'
months OF 1898 there were exported 32-'lZs pounu'
of oleomargarine, against 2i3oOS exported wi'"'
the same period of 1892 while during the same
months of the year only G4377o3 pounds Oh
genuine butter exported as against loo-o''''
pounds within the months of last year. 'iu'
showing falling off in butter Of 3lSs'Z-- Pou"c'
and a gain in oeomargarne of 79i.O3S pouhus. go
little scrimmage occurred between G. H. SIM" ~
and b. F. Van Valkenburgh, Deputy DAIRY ooi
missioner Mr. Smith said that prosecutions shou'u
not as in the past be confined to small oealers
but should strike at great manufacturers VI oo
margarine like Armour e. Co.. whose saies were
constantly increasing. The charge was fnaoe tnat
Mr. Van Valkenburgh's attention had peen caHed
by committeeman to this subject ana ne had repheu
that they were "a set of fools" The Deputy
Commissioner excitedly responded; THAT the state
ment is false but | won't reply 10 it, whereupon
S{nn Sn9 sboned 1T is true it is true Mr.
Van Valkenburgh later explained that the reason
and others was because the defence would rest on
the famous original package decision rendered IN IN
was said that oleomargarine comes from the West
eastward packed in small cans inclosed In a large
box The oleomargarine stamp Is placed on the
box but the unlabeiied. and the contents
sold as creamery butter, tax being paid on the
original package box, under the Oleomargarne
law.
There a dash made at Mr.. Miller, Com
missioner OF Internal Revenue. for having In his
report recommended reduction in United States
licenses for the sale of oleomargarne, with q view
TO thereby increasing its production, and for de-
carng that II is a wholesome article of food. The
preamble TO the resolutions subsequently adopted
urged the enforcement of the Internal Revenue
laws governing its sale committee. consisting OF
George A. Boyce J. II. North and ]. H. Snyder was
appointed to visit Washington and confer with
Treasury officials these points.
The resolutions adopted declared 1t to be
torous fact that the oleonargavne law has never
been enforced in this city and Brooklyn, and that
within the last seven years there have been hun
dreds of grocers and butter dealers convicted
their plea of guilty of selling oleomargarne
in violation of the State law, very few of whom
had Il United States license have been prosecuted
resolved that the question be referred to com
mittee of three to be appointed by the president
of the Exchange. TO inquire into the subject and
report back with such recommendations as they
deemed wise. with view TO having the present
laws both Federal and State, thoroughly enforced.
amendments of the existing law as may seem
wise and practicable The committee appointed
consisted OF II. Winsor W. II. Duckworth and
James S. Rowland. Ii was decided to hold con-
vention at early date in Washington.
The Dairy Association will hold meeting at Ell
Chicago. were appointed delegates to represent
the New-York Mercantile Exchange. The next
meeting will be held the Exchange at l0:l5
o'clock Friday morning Of next week.