New-York tribune., 1900-11-19
TO TAKE Up OLEOMARGARINE.
PROVISIONS OF MEASURE WHICH CONGRESS
WILL CONSIDER NEXT MONTH.

WILL CONSIDER NEXT MONTH.
| Washington, Nov Is (speciaD.-One OF the
first orders to be considered when Congress con-
venes will be the Oleomargartne bill. reported 10
the House May 81 from the Committee on
Agriculture by Mr.. Henry. OF Connecticut On
June D an order was made, at the instance OF the
Committee on Rules to have this measure taken
up in the House in committee of the whole for
consideration The bill bears the number H r
3.I11. 1t was introduced by Mr.. Grout Of Yer
mont on December IL, 1899 1t is entitled "A
bill to make oleomargarine and other imitation
dairy products subject to the laws OF the State
or territory into which they are transported, and
to change the tax on oleomargarine." IT provides
that all articles known oleomargarine, butter
Inc, imitation butter, imitation cheese, or
any substance in the senbIance Of butter or
cheese not the usual product OF the dairy and
not made exclusively Of pure and unadulterated
milk cream. transported into any State or
territory. and remaining therein for use. con-
sumption, sale or storage therein, shall. upon the
arrival within the limits Of such State or Terri
tory. be subject TO the operation and effect Of
the laws Of such State Territory enacted in
the exercise OF its police powers. 10 the same
extent and in the same manner though such
articles or substances had been produced in such
State or Territory. and shall not be exempt there
from by reason Of being introduced therein in
original packages or otherwise"
There is a proviso that nothing in this act
shall be construed to permit any State TO for
bid the manufacture or sale of oleomargarine
in a separate and distinct form and in such
manner viii advise the consumer OF its real
character, free from coloration or ingredient
that It to look like butter"
In the second section IT Is provided that the
tax upon oleomargaine, prescribed in Sec
ton Of the act Of August ?. 1886. shall be one
fourth Of one cent q pound when the same IS
not colored. but when colored in imitation Of
butter the tax be paid by the manufacturer
shall be 10 cents a pound. to be levied and
collected in accordance with the provisions Of
said act.
The committee in their report-No. ,S54, first
session OF the LvIth Congress-states that
the people have ample cause for alarm at the
tremendous illegal growth OF the oleomargarine
traffic in this country in the last few years.
which now appears to have reached proportions
beyond the power of the States to successfully
regulate or control and the present Federal
laws are apparently altogether inadequate for
the emergency"
The members of the committee accordingly
recommend the Grout bill, as offering the best
practical solution of the difficulty. They insist
that the great profits from the sale Of the inl-
tation article sufficiently large TO the
retailer to run the chances Of detection and
prosecution They appeal to public sentiment. as
declared IN the fact that thtrty-two States con-
tanning four-ffths OF the entire population Of the
United States absolutely forbid the uanufact-
and sale of oleomargartne colored to re-
semble butter. These laws have been upheld
without exception in the higher courts, includ-
ing two decisions Of the United States Supreme
Court.
Further the committee holds that the tax Of
10 cents a pound Will not deprive the manufact-
urers and dealers or consumers Of any great
amount Of legal right they now possess. Four
f1fths OF the colored article made they say IS
sold illegally now, as indicated by Treasury De-
partment reports, and the only effect of the tax,
were 1t prohibitive, would be to prevent the
manufacture OF an article the sale Of which Is
contrary to the laws OF thirty-two States. The
manufacture and sale of oleomargerine. 1t is
argued would continue and those who desire a
cheap article would buy the uncolored oleomar-
garine. II colored oleomargarine is used 1t will
be because it IS better and not because It is
cheaper than butter
This subject has attracted attention for good
man years, the dairy interests contend1ng that
the act of 1856 did not go far enough and the
oleomargartne manufacturers and dealers that
II afforded sufficient protection. At the last
sion Of Congress hearings were had in commit
tee and finally the decision Of the question was
postponed until December.