The age-herald., 1902-02-12
HOUSE HAD LIVELY
 DEBATE ON OLEOMARGARINE

Washington, February 1.-The voting on amendments to the oleomargarine bill in the House today indicated a considera- ble change of sentiment since last Con- gress when the bill had 106 majority and that the opposition to the measure has gained strength. While passage of the bill is not endangered it is likely that the majority will be narrow when the final vote is taken, probably not exceeding thirty The opposition today was strong enough in committee of the whole to adopt two important amendents. one pro- viding that nothing in the act should be construed to prevent the manufacture and sale of oleomargarine in a state for consumption entirely within such state, and to the other to provide for inspection and branding of renovated or process butter.
 The latter was especially obnoxious to the friends of the measurs. Although the amendment commanded a majority of twenty in committee of the whole where no records is made, 1t is not unlikely that the action of the committee will be re- versed tomorrow when members are obliged to go on record.
 PhraseoIoey of Bill Changed.
 Several committee amendments adopted ed today changed the phraseology of the bill the most important being that mak- ing the 10 cent tax apply to oleomargar- inc made in imitation of butter "of any shade of yellow.
 Section 3 was recast somewhat from the former bill proposed by the committee but the substance of the section. taxing color ed ooemargarine 10 cents per pound and reducing the tax on uncolored oleomar- garine from 1s to h of a cent pound was retained.
 MT. Burleson, Texas, created good deal of merriment by offering a substi- tute for Section in the language of that section, to impose q tax Of ten cents per pound on manufactured ice sold in imitation of the natural product except where sold in blocks of one and two pounds and stamped "counterfeit ice." Mir. Burleson, amid much laughter, de- clared that his substitute demonstrated the rank absurdity and injustice of the "selfsh designing and ambitious states men from Minnesota
 The same vicious principle. he said, underles both propositions His amend ment was ruled out on point of order, as was one offered by Mir Grosvenor to place a tax of ten cents per pound on syrups in imitation of maple syrup.
 MT. Wadsworth offered the substitute for the entire bill which had been pre- pared by the minority of the agricultural committee.
 Passed the Butter Around.
 Tn explaining it's provisions MT. Wads- worth displayed at his desk the form of packages in which oleomargarine would be sold hereafter if the substitute were adopted The members congragated about him while he made his exhibit.
 Samples of the product was placed on salver and handed around the house. Many of the members tasted of 1t. A breezy debate followed. notwithstanding the lateness of the hour and when the vote was taken the substitute was de- feated. 115 to 146
 When the committee rose MT Tawney. Republican, Minnesota, demanded a sep arate vote on the amendment relating to renovated butter but he described the amendment by the wrong number and discovered his error only after that amendment. with others of minor char acter had been adopted in gross The exposure of the mistake tickled the enc mics of the bill but MT. Tawney proceed ed to retrace the parliamentary trail by moving a reconsideration of the vote. It took some time to straighten out the tan gle but this was accomplished finally and with this amendment pending the house at 6:15 adjourned