Evening star., 1897-04-09

who were alleged to have violated the oleo-
margarine laws Convictions followed the
trials of Messrs. Kollock, Lusby and Nc
Cauley. The attorney for the defendants,
Henry E. Davis, took the cases of these
parties to the Court of Appeals, which af
firmed the decision of the trial court and
the validity of the oeomargarne laws and
the regulations governing the sale of the
stuff issued by the Treasury Department.
A further appeal was taken to the United
States Supreme Court where the wisdom
of the Court of Appeals was approved and
the sentences imposed upon the defend
ants. which embraced fines and brief terms
of Jail imprisonment, We're ordered to be
carried out, which was done.
Reasons for Compromises Removed.
The decision of the Supreme Court thus
effectually removed the former reasons
which led the internal revenue department
to accept secret fines from alleged vioators
of the oleomargarine laws in lieu of bring
ing them to trial and letting them abide
by the results that might have been
reached, because all doubt and perplexity
regarding the validity of the laws govern
ing the sale of oleomargarine, as well as
the legal strength of the regulations is
sued by the Treasury Department. were
dissipated. Consequently persons who have
suffered from the constant imposition prac
ticed by dealers in oeomargarne regard
it as singular that the Treasury Depart
ment should even consider the advisability
of compromising any oleomargarine case
and especially one which is regarded by
the authorities of the internal revenue
who are familiar with 1t in all its details
being the strongest case ever made by the
special agents of that bureau.
The Issue of Importance.
An attempt has been made to represent
the vigorous crusade against the illegal
sale of oleomargarine being inspired by
the selfish motives of dealers in genuine
butter, and the claim is widespread that
oleomargarine is really better and more
healthfui than genuine butter. The first
assertion is absolutely false No one in
tereSted in the enforcement of the Oleo
margarine laws cares one whit how much
oleomargarinc is sold and consumed, pro-
vided it is sold for what it really is No
one can object to persons whose tastes ap-
prove oleomargarine buying 1t. But the
issue at stake in the present agitation is
to compel the sale of the stuff for what it
is, and prevent it being SO d to ignorant
purchasers when they call for genuine but
ter and made to pay the prevailing
prices asked for that article.
Points on Oleomnrgarine.
AS to the claim that oleo is more health
full and better than butter it only be
said that 1t Is somewhat surprising, If
this is So that it should be persistently
represented to be the real article. Another
one of the stock pretenses in favor of oleo-
margarine is that it is the poor mans but
ter. There may be a very small prOpOr-
ton of consumers who call for oleomarga-
rine from their retailers, but the proper
ton Is very light. Ninety per cent of the
oleonargarine sold to the family trade is
undoubtedly dealt out in response to calls
for butter, and pure butter prices are
charged. A reasonable price on oleomar-
garine at retail, say from 10 to II cents a
pound, which is about what it should sell
for, would be direct obstacle in the way
of it's sale, except cs oleomargarine. Such
low price would arouse the suspicion of
the customer at once, and he would learn
the CT aracter Of the goods. Its sales are
largely effected through catchy placards.
which contain the names that have been
made familiar through well-known brands
of butter, such as pure Elgin, choice cream
cry, Philadelphia print and similar signs,
while the prices charged for the stuff sold
under these attractive names are from 2 to
6 cents cheaper per pound than the real
butter known as Elgin. choice creamery
or Philadelphia Erint can be secured.
Cost of OleOmargnrine.
If all oleomargarine was sold on its mer-
its as oleomargarine the consumers might
get an advantage of cheapness Dairy
Commissioner Wieting Of New York esti-
mates the cost Of 100 pounds of oleomar-
garine to be as follows:
| "a lbs neutral lard. 3%c. per lb........$132
i