The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-01
0LEO BILL REPORTS
Majority Roasts 0Ieo People
for Alleged Frauds.
FAV0RS STRINGENT LAWS
Minority Scores the Bill Re-
ported, as Futile.

Washington, May 31-The report on the
Grout oleomargsrine bill, which has been
source of lively contention, was fled
today by the majority of the house COM
mittee on agriculture, the minority also
filing an adverse report. Representative
Henry of Connecticut, drew the majority
report, which says in part:
I'VE are of opinion that the people have
ample cause for alarm at the tremendous
Illegal growth of the oleomargarine traffic
in this country during the past few years,
which now appears TO have assumed pro-
portions beyond the power Of the states
to successfully regulate or control, and
the present federal laws are apparently
altogether inadequate for the emergency.
I'VE find that the very foundation and
cause Of the enormous amount of fraud
and illegal selling of oleomargarine is in
the great profits which are derived from
the sale of the imitation because OF its
absolute counterfeit of butter, which en-
ables interruptions dealers to impose upon
unsuspecting customers. These profits
are sufficiently large to cause the retailer
to run the chances Of detection and prose-
cution and they are further emboldened
and encouraged through fhe guarantees
of the manufacturers of projection
against prosecutions under the state
laws.
The tax Of 10 cents per pound upon
oleomaTgarine colored to resemble but
ter will not deprive the manufacturers
and dealers or consumers Of any great
amount of legal right they now possess.
I'VE believe the manufacturer and sale
of oleomargarine VIII continue under this
measure. and that those who desire a
cheap substitute for butter will purchase
the uncolored article The only differ
ence is that the counterfeit article, coll
ored in Imitation of butter will no longer
be accessible TO hotel keepers, restaurant
keepers and boarding house proprietors at
such prices as viii be an inducement for
them to deceive their guesas, as is now,
.Te believe, absolutely universal, where 1t
IS served, and thus another class of con-
sunlers who have been subjected to impo-
siti04l for more than twenty years, viii
ing bt taer fat or hog fat, when they
spread their bread.
IF colored Oleomargarine is served it
will be because it is better, not because it
is cheaper than butter
Serious conditions require drastic
measures and it certainly appears from
the testimony Of those representing the
producers of butter, as well as from the
admissions of the witnesses for the other
side. that those who are engaged in this
oleomargarine traffic have absolutely no
regard for state laws, and regard the pub
lie as their legitimate victim, in whose
behalf they resent the interference of the
general government. The continued ex-
istence of such a condition, we cannot
bus believe furnishes a demoralizing ex-
ample to our people in trade. who are
being tutored by this oleomargarine in
terest IN the art of evasion and defiance
of the Legality constituted authorities
The minority repora says in part: 1--WE
first wish to call attention to proof posi-
tive that oleomargarine is a wholesome
and nutritious article OF food and is
therefore entitled to a legitimate place in
the commerce Of the country"
In substantiation of this statement the
testimony of Professor Chandler Of Co
lumbia college and Professor Baker of
the University Of Pennsylvania and
others, is cited. The only just complaint
the minority state, is as TO the facility
with which retailers can violate the pres
ent law by substituting unmarked pack
ages for these taken from the original
or wholesale, packages. 5ut the Crout
bill, it is contended, does not decrease
the temptations or increase the difficult
ties of such violations. On the contrary,
the increased taxation would either be
fraudulenty eyaded or else would force
the honest manufacturer out of business.
In fact, the report states. the radical ad-
vocates of the bill admit that their in
tention is 20 absolutely crush out the
manufacturer of oleomargarine and elm
mate it as a food product.
In conclusion" the report adds, "the
members Of the committee on agriculture
who have Joined in the minority report,
! beg to assure the house and the country
in the most solemn manner possible that
1t has been their earnest intention and Is
now their determination, to do everything
possible to be done to enforce the sale
Of oleomargarine as oieomargarine and to
prevent its sale as butter To prevent
fraud and not 10 stamp out an industry
has been and Is our purpose. We be
/ neve that it ought to be the sole purpose
of all legislation ana the sole motive of
all Just men"
/ The minority also submits a substitute
/ bill. providing additional safeguards