The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-04-18

decreased. He could only estimate how
much 1t had fallen of, but agreed that
the amount Of renovated butter sold
In this state is now many times the
amount of oleomargarine. There are
400 dealers licensed to sell oleomarga-
rine, and II is estimated that they sell
on an average Of $50 pounds a week,
which would amount to 1900 pounds
a year. II Is believed that there is
20 times as much renovated butter sold
as there is oleomargarine. Probably
per cent of all the articles consumed
for butter In the state is really oelo-
margarine. The people of this state
produce about 100,00O,OOO POUNDS OF
pure butter and consume about zzV,-
100000 of the yellow article, whether
It be butter, oleo or what.
Commissioner Wells said that ran
cid butter is gathered up in great guam
titles In the west, shipped here and
turned into the renovated" article by
boiling out the fat and putting II
through milk. II is a far more in1u-
rious article than oleomargarine. With
out the vigorous enforcement OF the
law the market would be flooded with
this product displayed for creamery
butter. and would do infinite injury 10
the farmers of this state.
"Our great aim has been the fair,
thorough and general enforcement OF
the law" said Major Wells, "and after
having pursued that purpose with all
diligence with the six chemists and the
IL agents at our command we feel we
have made a conscientious efort 10
perform our full duty and that our re-
suits speak for themselves"
PROFESSOR HAMILToN's REPORT,
In a report to Governor Stone out
lining the work Of this branch OF the
department of agriculture, since the
passage of the pure food BILL" Secre-
tary of Agriculture John Hamilton last
week said;
''That Immediately upon the law go
ing into effect there were printed and
distributed to dealers throughout the
state 10 900 copies Of the oleomargarine
law, and 10 900 copies of the renovated
butter law. Suitable record books were
prepared and form Of license and
placards were printed and agents were
Instructed to take samples of suspected
good for analysis. The report of the
commissioner shows that during the
year ending Dec. 81, 1899, 402 suspected
samples of oleomargarlne were taken
and analysed, rs of these were found
to be pure butter, 2T renovated butter
and 500 were oleomargarine.
During the year 256 prosecutions for
selling oleomargarine were brought. or
these 100 cases were brought to ter
mination, either by magistrates or ig-
nored by grand jurIes; so cases were
pending Dec. 81, 1899. Since Jan.
l. 1900, All licenses to sell oleomarga-
rine have been issued, and one license
has been taken out for the manufac-
ture of oleomargarine. The chemists
reports are not all in, but the number
of samples analyzed of oleomargarine
reported as having been made since
Jan. 1, 1900, is 107 number OF sam
piles are in the hands OF the chemists
awaiting analysis. Our attorneys re-
port that they have brought suits in
oleomargarine cases, to the number Of
about 120 and of these over 70 are in
the city OF Philadelphia, AllN
"The department has been embar-
rassed in it's dealing with the oleomar-
garine question, owing to a contest, in
the courts over the color clause of the
late law This provision has been con-
tested both in Pittsburg and Philadel-
phia. and cases were brought in eac-
city to test its constitutionality. De-
cisions by the lower courts sustaining
the law were rendered, in December
1899, and in January, 1900 These cases
were appealed to the superior court,
and one Philadelphia case was argued
| in March. and a decision Is expected
| In the course of week or two, when
the court convenes. Every effort has
been made to push these cases and the
| courts. at the request of our attorneys
have advanced them on the list.
"If q favorable decision Is handed
down the way will then be clear for
more vigorous enforcement Of the law
and pending this decision the depart
ment Is collecting evidence and Is al
ready to bring additional prosecution!
as soon as the law Is declared to b'
constitutional. The courts of Philadel
phia and Pittsburg are greatly burden
ed with the multitude Of cases that thel
are called upon to hear, and our attor
neys in Philadelphia. in order to secur,
prompt hearing, have communicated
with the district attorney, requesting
that the cases be heard at as early
date as possible. A reply has been re
ceived from the district attorney stat
ing that he had instructed the assistan
district attorney to confer with ou
attorneys and collect the cases togethe
and proceed with them with all dill
gence.
"The oleomargarine cases, however
are only a portion of the large numbe
that the pure food department is callet
upon to bring to trial. The total mum
ber of samples taken by the agents las
year, including oleomargarine, wa
1859, and Of these 1,026 were analyzed
and a large number of suits wer
brought, taxing both the time of ou
attorneys and that Of the court"