The record-union., 1893-08-04
OLIVE OIL AT THE FAIR.

There are fears expressed that in sew
eral lines California products on exhibi-
ton at the Columbian Exposition at Chi
cago will not receive first awards where
clearly entitled to them. This is, we are
Informed by citizens competent to judge
who have seen the exhibits, true especi-
ally in the matter of California olive oil.
The reasons assigned for the fear are that
the foreign exhibitors are especially
skilled in making the most of the
points," so called, that will influence
the committee of judges. For instance,
the foreign olive oil packages are more
glassware nor fancy bottles. In the mat
ter of wines no one ever considers the
package, though that goes upon the table,
while the olive oil bottle rarely does.
We assume it to be positively demon
strated that the California olive oil is the
best in the world; that experts who
have tested it have so pronounced over
and over again. The well-known caterer.
Sam Ward, once wrote that though he
had travelled all over Southern Europe
he had never been able to find any olive
oil that would be declared as good, or
better than the California product by any
connoisseur. We assume it to be true, as
is alleged by those situated to know, that
not single bottle of pure olive oil is ever
imported-that the California oil put up
by the best growers is pure olive oil and
absolutely free from adulteration. More
over, We are assured that such oil is of
finer oouquet than any imported; that it
is not greasy to the taste; that it keeps
better and is in all respects more pala-
table, serviceable and valuable.
But the foreign exhibitor puts up his
oil in more attractive form, and abso-
lutely presents as a claim for considera-
ton the color of his product, which is alb
sent from the California oil, and which
absence signifies better handling and
greater purity. The judges, it is feared,
are influenced by such considerations,
whereas tests will, if made, unquestion-
ably demonstrate the superiority of the
California product. Now it is of prime
importance to the olive growers of Call
ifornia, and to the whole State, that the
first award should come to us; failure in
that respect will give US black eye, to
use a vulgarism. We cannot afford to
lose in case where we know merit gives
US first place as to product that is to cut
so large figure in our productive in
dustries. Our olive oil is sweeter, whittier,
leaves no unpleasant taste is not liable TO
become rancid. and goes further than any
other brand. These facts we claim should
find confirmation in the award on the
basis of pure justice.
The attention of the California Com
mission has been called to these facts,
and to the danger that we will lose the
award through the superior manner in
which the foreign exhibitor presents his
packages, and his art in pulling the wool
over the eyes of examiners. The COM
mission has said to the judges that the
Californians are willing to submit to any
tests; that they viii submit to such test,
as this, that the judges may go into the
market and procure foreign and Califor-
mia oils of the same brands as the ex-
hibits and test the purity and general
merits of each, and then examine the
samples in the fair, and say which ex-
hibit is superior. the Californian or the
foreign.
Viticultural Commissioner LaRue, in
whose department the olive oils are ex-
hibited, has had his attention called to
the matter, and doubtless will advise
that the Board of Judges do not act with
out full tests of the claims of the oils,
irrespective of the appearance of the
packages. That the packages are not SO
attractive which came from California is
said to be due TO the use of home pro-
duced bottles. This fact Mr.. LaRue will
certainly explain to the judges, and in
sist that the award shall be made strictly