Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-11-19
THE CIRCUIT BILL.

The Circuit OIL, WnlCn Is SCn0QuleQ
for consideration in the lower branch
of congress Dec. 6, is receiving great
attention in the agricultural press Of
the country, representing the great
dairy interests, because this bill if
enacted into law, will prevent most of
the fraud and deceit now entering into
the use of imitation butter, whereby
the manufacturers derive an immense
profit and the consumers a CORE
spending loss, without considering
the immense loss entailed by the
dairy interests under the present
regulations. It should be kept con-
stantly in mind that the Circuit bill is
in the interest of those who desire to
purchase and consume the product
known as oleomargarine, as we'll as in
the interest of those who are making
pure butter. This fact has not been
made sufficiently prominent in the
public discussion of the matter.
The present law requires the pay
ment by the manufacturer of a tax of
two cents a pound upon all imitation
butter manufactured, while the circuit
bill reduces that tax to one-fourth
cent pound when sold in it's natural
color. This reduction in tax together
with the lessened price on account of
it's being in the natural color, will re-
duce the price at which it will be pur-
chased, and still yield a reasonable
profit to the manufa cturer and to
those who handle it to one half what
it is sold for today. Is there any rea-
son why person who desires to use
grease in place of butter should not
have the privilege Of doing it at one
half the present price and in equally
INDUCED in by oleomargarine manu-
facturers, and those working in their
interests, in regard to the great injury
the Grout bill will bring upon the poor
people who desire to purchase and
use imitation butter, is bosh and only
intended to throw dust in the eyes of
the people and put money into the
pockets of the oleo dealers. The
Grout bill is in the interest of every
person who desires to consume cleo
or who desires to purchase it for legit-
innate uses.
The circuit bill imp oses tax of ten
cents a pound upon this imitation
product when coIored to resemble
pure butter and it is claimed by those
who have investigated the subject
that this can be complied with aud
still allow it TO be sold at present
prices. This would transfer the eight
cents a pound additional revenue
from the cleo combine to the govern
ment and leave the consumer as we'll
as under the present law. 1t is no
wonder that the manufacturers of bO-
gus butter who are at present reaping
such enormous profits are vigorously
opposing the Grout bill, but it is
wonder that they are able to enlist
the support of Intelligent men under
the plea that it is in the interest of
the "poor people" who still want the
privilege of paying twice what an ar
ticle is worth simply because it is col
ored to represent an article that costs
twice as much to manufacture, and
from that deceptive color commands
an exorbitant price and pays tribute
to the parties perpetrating the fraud.
These may not be the prominent rea-
sons that cause the activity among
the agricultural people in favor of
the Grout bill, but they are worthy of
consideration by legislators who de-
sire additional reasons for supporting
the bill. Opposition to this bill is in
the interest of no one except the cleo
manufacturers and dealers who are
reaping an immense profit on account
of the color fraudulently given the
strff mirror and Farmer