The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-08
II FOn. Guar rlNE
BILL ENACTED
Grout Measure Received
Decisive Majority.
INTERESTING DEBATE
Was Participated in by Many Repre-
sentatives.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
All Articles Known as O1eomarsarine
or Buiterine Subjected to Poiico
Power Of sta,es-Tax OLE the
Colored Article In
creased to Ten Cent?
Per Pound.
DEBATE.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
(By Associated Press.

(By Associated Pfess.)
WASHINGTON, Dec. THE House to-
day passed the Grout oieomargarine bill
by a vote of 1876 TO 90. The substitute Of
fered by the minority of the Committee
on Agriculture. which imposed additional
restrictions on the sale Of oleomarsarlne
to prevent fraudulent sale as butter, in
creasing the penalties for riolators, was
defeated by vote of lib to liS
The bill as passed makes all articles
known as oleo1Elargarine, buttertne, imi-
tation butter, or limitation cheese, trans
ported into any State or Territory for
cons,rnptipu OF sale, subject to the police
power OF such State or Territory, but pre-
vents any State or Territory from forbid
ding the transportation or sale of such
product when xproduced and sold free
from coloration in imitation of butter
TAX INCREASED.
The bill increases the tax on oleomar-
garine colored in Imitation of butter from
Two ITO ten cents per pound, and decreases
the tax on oleomargarine uncolored from
two cents to Ii of a cent per pound.
a long and interesting debate preceded
the vote, in the course Of which those who
favored the Grout bill claimed the addi-
tio1,al tax on coloned oleomarsarine was
she only affective remedy for preventing
fraud upon the public, while those who
opposed it contended that fraud would be
prevented by the substitute, and that the
real purpose of the Greut bill was to de-
strcy the oleomargaTine industry. Those
who participated in the debate were:
Messrs. Henry tRepublfcanl, of Con-
necticut: Grout (Republican), of Vermont;
LambO Democrat, of Virginia; Davidson
tRepublican). of Wisconsin, and Tawney
tRepublican). OF Minnesota, in favor of
the bill, and Messrs Wadsworth (Republi-
s.ane. OF New York; Jorimcr Republican),
Of Illinois; Bailey (Republican), OF KAN
sas; Grosvenor Republican), of Ohio: Will
liams tDemocraD. Of Mississippi; Forster
{DemocraD, of Illinois, and Bailey Demo
craft, OF Texas. against 1T
Mr.. Payne, chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee, gave notice at the close
of the session that he would call up the
posal of the legislative appropriation bill
next week. probably on Tuesday
PROTECT DAIRY INTERESTS.
Consideration of the bill began imme-
diately after reading of the Journal. Mr..
Henry, of Connecticut, opened the debate
in Its support. 4Ie explained the features
Of the bill The increase of the tax on
colored imitation butter he said, the ma
jority Of the Committee on Agriculture
believed. was absolutely necessary to pro-
tect the dairy interests of the country.
The cause of the enormous amount of
fraud in the illegal selling Of oieomara
Iine, he said was due to the great profits
derived from the sale OF the imitation be-
cause of its absolute counterfeit of butter.
Thirty-two States already had absolutely
forbidden the manufacture and sale Of
oleomargarine colored in imitation of but
.r, he said.
Mr.. Henry cited figures to show that,
including the payment of the present in
1er,lal revenue tax of two cents, the cost
of manufacture was not more than ten
osIlts per pound.
Mr. Henry said the increase OF the tax
would prevent the large profits, while
the reduction of the tax on oleomargarine
in its natural color would enable those
who desired to consume it to procure it
at lower cost than heretofore.
MINORITY REPORT.
Mr.. wadsworth, of New York. chairman
OF the Committee on Agriculture. who,
With six other members Of the committee,
signed the minority report against the
tirout bill, said the only difference between
the minority and majority was that the
minority recognized the value of oleo-
margarine a a wholesome and nutritious
article of food, and entitled TO a place as
a food product. He cited the testimony
OF a number of experts.
Mr. Wadsworth charged that the pur-
pose of the supporters Of the Grout bill
was to destroy the manufacture of oleo-
margarine. not to regulate its sale. The
bill prepared by the minority, he added
would eliminate all possibility of fraud
NTH regard to the coloring OF oleomarga-
rine. he declared that butter itself was
colored
TO SUPPRESS FRAUD.
Nir. Grout, of Vermont, author OF the
bill who then took charge OF the measure
declared that the purpose OF the bill IN
which every man, woman. and child was
interested. was TO suppress fraud in the
sale of a food product by preventing the
colorsns of oleomargarine in imitation of
butter, OYER lp4.0GO,o91 pounds Of
o,eomarsarine had been nanufae-
tured and SOLD last year THAT
was about one-ninth of the total butter
consumption of the United States.
Mr. Grout produced hgures to SHOW
that oleomargarine cost less than
cents per pound. and was worked Off on
the public by the retailer at is TO 50 cents
per pound.
he illustrated the method of the sale
of nleomargarine.
MIR. Lorimer made a vigorous Speech
in opposition. He also gave practical
illustration of the sale OF oleomargarine
under existing law, under the #0Iout olii
and under the minority substitute
Mr.. Grosvenor, Of Ohio, opposed the
Grou, bill. which he said was designed to
destroy one industry for the benefit of
another
He said if the manufacture of ole
margarine was destroyed as the bill would
destroy 1t. the cost of butter would in
crease % per cent. to the laboring man.
LAMB SUPPORTED THE BILL
Ar 4 af,,f, nf i,,ia
sen. OF Wisconsin. supported the bill
Mr.. Williams. of Mississippi. member
OF the Agricultural Committee. who
favored the substitute, devoted consider
able time TO the legal and constitutional
phase of the proposed legislation
Mr.. Tawney. of Minnesota, who has
been closely identified with the proposed
legislation. closed the general debate
with fprceful speech In favor of the
iSe061t hill