The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-06-23
NO OLEO TAX.
Farmer. and Dairymsn Opposed to the Bill.


Farmers and Dairymen Opposed TO the Bill.
The pure butter people of the State arc
much exercised over the proposition to
tax oleomargarine. They will fight it
with all the force they can mass. The
pure butter league in the Legislature
will lead the fight, and rs this is a nom
partisan organization, IL will enroll un-
der its banners all the representatives of
farming constituencies. Professor John
Hamilton, Deputy Secretary of Agricul-
ture, made an argument before the
House Why's and Means Committee
against the measure aud insisted that
any proposition of this kind was in the
interest of manufacturers of oleomargar-
inc. The proposition involves the repeal
of the law which prohibits the manufac-
ture and sale of oleo and the licensing of
dealers upon the payment of a tax OF two
cents per pound. II is argued that the
revenue derived by the Commonwealth
from this source will very materially re-
lieve the depleted condition of the State
finances amt that no harm can come
through such "A license or tax IN any in
dustry of tho State. Professor Hamilton
thinks il wonld be wise to drst make
sure that the Industry that is to replace
the profitable butter making branch of
agriculture shall do ma for the Com
monwealih i'm the way q. substantial and
permanent support than the important
occupation it proposes to snpplant. The
late census gives the number of dairy
cattle in Pennsylvania at ST ID and the
amount of butter manufactured from
these dairy cows in that year at 7s,S0,OIl
pounds. The amount of cheese is given
at $4,000 pounds and the milk product at
36s, ,sO6,4s2 gallons. If the ratio of in
crease has been as great from 1889 10 1857
as il was between 1879 and lSS9 fair esti-
mate of the number of cows at the pres
ent time is about | 100000 and the mum
ber of pounds OF butter manufactured
annually at about 100000 pounds and
the milk at 49,, ,525 3i9 gallons. These
cows are distributed among 2ll ,il2 far
mers' families, consisting of ,O6O, ,G26 per
sons, or one 9Th of the entire population
of the State.
Professor Hamilton says that during
the present depressed condition of agri-
culture, due to the low prices Of farm
produce, the farmers of Pennsylvania
have found il necessary to depend for a
large part of their support upon the pro-
duct OF the dairy. Within the last seven
Years this branch of farming has adj
vanced I'm Pennsylvania beyond that of
any other line of agriculture. About one
thousand creameries have been estab-
lished throughout the Commonwealth
and large number of private dairies are
now in successful operation. Many |
farms that were once devoted to grain
raising have been given up almost eXelu- !
sively TO dairying. The income of butter |
alone TO the people of Pennsylvania last |
year amounted To between sl6, 600, 600 and |
slSO00, 600 and the milk product at eight |
cents per gallon amounted to Sl5,O00.000 /
The officials of the Department of Agri-
culture argue that this vast sum is a new
product each year, adding this much to
the actual wealth of the State and going
To the support of over one million of peo-
pie. They also argue that if the product |
of these animals were seriously threaten
ed there would be a serious depreciation |
in the value of cows aud materials used |
10 feed them amounting TO many mil |
lions of dollars. 4 large number Of peO- |
pie would also de thrown out of employ |
ment. The price of butter in Pennsylva-
-, re-
10 twenty-five cents a pound; the oleo |
dealer can sell his product at any price |
between nine and twenty cents Profess
sor Hamilton argues that the legalizing OF |
the sale of oleo would result in loss Of |
State revenue.
lie also takes the position that money /
realized from the sale of dairy products /
is distributed among one million of pro-
ducers; in ease Oleomargarine were TO
take its place the profits of that industry /
would be retained in the hands of but 1
comparatively few, rendering them in
ordinately rich AT the expense Of the mill
lion producers whose occupation they
have destroyed. Professor Hamilton
further argues that oleo dealers would
eyade the proposed tax by locating their
establishments just along the border in
neighboring State and take orders from
consumers, shipping To them direct.
Such packages 30 shipped can not be
taxed by the State unless opened and
sold and the manufacturers wonld there
fore realize the entire profit, while the
State would he mulcted out Of the tax.
lie also adds that il oleoInargarine is
beneficial and necessary because of its
cheapness. making available for use by
the poorer classes Of the State, then the
logical and consistent method of proceed
ure would be 10 admit it absolutely free
from tax. No State in the Union except |
Colorado and Mississippi has ever at
tempted To levy tax on oleomargarine- I
Wherever it has been admitted it has /
come in free AMI with no restrictions /
except those which provide that il shal /
lie sold for what il is.