The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-20
The circuit snl.

From the standpoint Of the dairy inter-
esss. the most important measure before
congress to be taken up the coming ses-
sion is the Grout bill. TO regulate the
sale of oleomsrgarine. which has been re-
ported fsvorabiy from committee. and
which has a good place upon the house
calendar. This bin has the warm approval
OF all Of the dslrymen's associations Of the
country. as II viii 60 far toward pro-
tectinx dairy interests from the unfair
competition which they have to meet at
present.
The features OF the bill are. first, that II
places the sale OF oieomargsrine under the
Jurisdiction OF state statutes. even when
imported into each state in the original
packages This feature Of the bill win
enable such states se desire TO do so to
prohibit absolutely the sale OF oleomar-
garine IN any form; or II this is not de-
sirabie. to prohibit the sale of oleomar-
gsrine. colored SO as TO initiate butter.
which Is the extent to which the present
demand OF the dairy interests goes. A
second provision places tax OF one
quarter OF a cent a pound upon an un-
coiored butter limitations: and tar OF 10
cents a pound upon all such limitations
colored 30 as to deceive the purchaser into
the belief that ne is purchasing true but
ter
II IL iffhcult to see what legitimate ar
guments can be advanced against either
OF these provisions. Admitting what IL
claimed by the manufacturers. that the
imitation buffers are perfectly wholesome
foods. that the industry has reached large
proportions affording employment to
many men. that the manufacture affords
an opportunity to utilize probably what
were formerly waste products. and thus
lowers the cost OF meat TO the consumer
the one fact which stands out present.
nentiy IL that. the market for oleomar-
gArine and other butter compounds IL
made by deceiving the purchaser into the
belief that he In purchasing true butter.
and that the colorinE matter IL added to
oleomarGarine for no other purpose.
II can be admitted that the dairy inter-
ests are entitled to no protection against
other healthfui foods designed to take
the place Of their product: provided that
those other foods are sold for what they
are. and not under false pretences to the
consumer. Imitation buffers made from
animal fats can he manufactured and sold
at very much lower cost than butter.
People unable or unwilling 10 pay the
price demanded for butter ought not to
be forbidden to purchase cheaper sub
stitu,e II they desire 10 do 50. II Is not
pretended that the coloring matter added
to butter substitutes adds anything to
their food qualities. but rather detraets
from them Its sole purpose IL deception
and fraud. and against this Il IL the ieaiti-
mate province az legislation to protect
the people.
Tho manufacture OF artificial butter has
been growing to an enormous extent ana
It's growth has been a direct injury TO the
farmers and dsirymen OF the country. n
Il were a legitimate competition. their
complaints would not be entitled to con-
sideration. they would stand in the ro-
sitlon OF other manufacturers who have
30 see their product occasionally Displaced
in the market by an article either cheaper
or better. Against the sale OF oleomar-
garine. as such, there Il no legitimate
ground of objection: provided always that
the contention that II is a wholesome ar
ticle Of food he true. Against the sale
OF the same article a. butter the consumer
and the producer Of the legitimate article
have each right to be protected by lexis.
iaiien.
u Is sincerely 60 be hoped tha, ,ne
GFout bIli, which affords this protection,
may pass both houses.