The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-01
THE lEOMARGAR|Nt BILL.
MAJORITY REPORT IN IT'S FAVOR
AFTER LIVELY CONTENTION.
margarine Colored to Initiate
Butter of Ten Cents a Pound
The MtBority's Adverse Report.

WASHINGTON, May s1.-The report Of
the Grou oleomargarine bill. which has
been a source OF lively contention, was
filed today by the majority 81 the house
committee on agriculture. the minority
fling an adverse report.
Representative Henry. OF Connecticut.
Drew the majority report. which says in
part. I'VE are Of the opinion that the
people have ample cause for alarm at the
tremendous Illegal growth Of the ole omar
anrine traffic in this country during the
past few years, where II now appears to
have reached proportions beyond the pow
er OF the states to successfully regulate
or control and the present federal laws ap-
parentiy are altogether inadequate for the
emergency.
'T'he tax OF 10 cents per pound upon oleo-
margarine coloGed to resemble butter will
not deprive the manufacturers and dealers
or consumers OF An great amount OF
legal right they now possess
1--WE believe the manufacture ana sale
OF oleomargarine will continue under this
measure, and that those who desire a cheap
substitute for butter will purchase the I'M
coiored article. The only difference IL that
the counterfeit article colored in imitation
of butter will no longer he accessible to
hotel keepers restaurant keepers and board
ing house proprietors at such prices az will
guests as is now. we believe, absolutely
universal where II is served
'If colored oieomargarfne IL served II
will be because II II better, not because It
In cheaper than butter.
Serious conditions require drastic meas
ures, and II certainly appears from the
testimony OF those representing the pro-
ducers OF butter, as well as from the adj
miseion OF witnesses from the other side.
that those who are engaged In this oleo-
margarine traffic have absolutely no re-
gard for state laws and regard the public
az their legitimate victim In whose be-
half they resent the Interference OF the
general government The continued ex-
istenee OF such a condition we cannot but
to cur people In trade who are being tu-
tored by this oieomargarine interest In the
art OF evasion ana defiance Of the legally
constituted authorities"
I'VE first wish to call sttea. on to proof
positive that oleomsrgarine is a whole
some and nutritious article OF food. and
Is therefore entitled to legitimate place
In the commerce of the country"
In Standardization OF this statement the
testimony Of Prof. Chandler. OF Columbia
versity OF Pennsylvania, and others is
cited. The only just complaint, the min
GRITTY state, Is as to the facility with
which retail dealers can violate the pres
ent law by substituting unmarked pack
ages for those taken from the original or
wholesale packages. But the Grout bill.
II is contended, does not decrease the
temptations or Increase the difficulties of
such violations. On the contrary, the In
creased taxation would either be fraudu-
lentiy evaded or else would force the
honest manufacturer out of business In
fact the report states, the radical advo-
Gates OF the bill admit that their intention
Il 20 absolutely crush out the manufac-
ture OF oleomargarine and eliminate II
as a food product.
In conclusion the report adds
''rhc members OF the committee on
agriculture who have Joined In the min
GRITTY report beg 20 assure the house and
the country IN the most solemn manner
possible that it has been their earnes;
Intention and Is now their determination
enforce the sale Of oteomargsrine as ole
omargarlne and 10 prevent it's sale as
butter To prevent fraud and not 10
stamp out an industry has been and Is
our purpose We believe Il ought 70 be
the sole purpose OF all legislation and the
sole motive NJ all Just men"
The minority also submits substitute
bill providing additional safeguards
against oleomargarine