New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-02
CUTS0LE0MA RGARINE TAX.
Bill to Make 1t -Four Instead of Ten
Cents Prepared.
IRON THE TRIBUNE BUREAU. J

Washington Dec Members OF the Ways
and Means Committee now IN Washington say
Chairman Payne has in his possession bill
prepared by Representative Boutell. OF Chicago.
which provides for uniform tax of four cents
q pound on all oleomargarne. This reduction
from the prohibitive tax OF 10 cents pound
now in force would II is declared, revive the in
dustry and materially increase internal revenue
receipts
AS the committee has not met no formal &C
ton has been taken. but that a majority OF its
members favor the proposed modification OF
the law is known. and favorable report may
be expected unless premature agitation so
arouses public sentiment TO cause postpone
ment OF such action The agricultural and dairy
interests OF the country are solidly lined up
against any proposition that would again per
nit oleonargartne to enter into competition with
butter and they satisfied that with tax of
10 cents a pound the colored product no
serious danger to their industry need be feared
That they will every legitimate effort 10
defeat such legislation IS acknowledged. and
while the strength that they may develop on
the foor Of the House In the event of a favor
able report by the committee is somewhat prob
lernaticol it is known to be formidable and pos
sibIy sufficient 10 prevent any change In the
existing law.
Representative Da!zeII, of Pennsylvania a
member Of the committee. is opposed TO the
proposition. and he intimeted to-day that he
would fight Il when IL is taken up for ConsideTa-
ton. He represents a State where an especially
strong effort has been made recently 10 pledge
members OF Congress against any reduction or
the tax This work was taken up in various sec
lions OF the country where the farming ana
dairy interests are large but how much has been
accomplished can be ascertained only "heh
vote is taken.
Secretary Wilson is against the proposed re-
duction OF the tax on olsomdrgartne. and when
informed on Il recent visit TO the West that
such an attempt VAS 20 be made declared that
such q modification could not be put through
Congress. The Secretary is eTr-ohatic IN his dec
Iaration that the object OF the demand is TO re-
duce the tax so that an imitation OF butter which
will deceive the public can be made and sold az
a good profit He points out that any one can
make and sell unColored oleOIua rgar1ne pS
paying a tax of only one-quarter OF cent
pound. and assumes that the object Of artlhclaI
Coloring is merely 10 make the product look
like butter for the purpose Of selling II FOR o1t-
ter.
serious question confronting the Ways and
Means Committee is that of the practical ami
hilation ct the oleomRrgarine industry by the
inpositi on Of the 10 cent tax and the CORE
spending decrease In the revenue. Commissioner
Yerkes in his annual renort shows that in the
fiscal year which ended June 80 1902. the last
year the original law in operation. there
were produced and tax was paid on Ia lol 40
pounds OF oeouSreerine, bringing IN a totai
revenue or S2.ih2.63o. In the last fiscal year
there were produced and tax was paid on as
Oh ADO POUNDS OF oleomargarine, on when
total tax o: s2Is.eel wac collected.