Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-06
WRIGHT AFTER BUTTERMEN
Wants a Law to Compel Stamping of
Correct Weight on Packages.
TOO MUCH WATER IN PRODUCT
several Creameries Get Into Trouble
with the Federal Authorities on
This AccOunt--ChanEe at
State House.


(From a Staff Correspondence
DIES MONIES, Jan. 6.-(Special)-State
Dairy and Food Commissioners II. r.
Wright proposes to ask the coming general
assembly to amend the pure food law so
as to require manufacturers to place the
weight of an article on the outside of a
package, as we'll as the description Of the
contents. This action Is prompted by the
practice Of butter manufacturers in this
city and some other points putting but
fourteen and fifteen ounces in a print
of butter such as is sold by grocers for
a pound, at So cents per pound. This law,
requiring that the weight be printed on the
wrapper. would necessitate creameries CIV
ing an honest pound of sixteen ounces in
stead of a s~hort-weight print as now
served.
Greed of butter men has led many to
grief throughout the state, according TO
Mr.. Wright. and many are learning a very
expensive lesson from the hands of the
government. The federal "Oleomargarlne
law contains a clause that no butter
shall contain more than 16 per cent water.
To manufacture It with more than that
amount is. under that statute, manufacture
ing adulterated butter. 1t requires q IL
cense Of $500 a quarter for such manufac-
turing, and a penalty of $50 for not secur-
ing a license when detected. A number Of
Iowa creameries have been picked up by
the government inspectors and heavily
fined. Invariably they appeal to the state
dairy commissioner to save them, and he
is powerless, where they have violated the
federal law. The establishment of this
clause in the federal law caused expert
ments that nave resulted in the knowledge
OF how creamery men mix water with
the butter. In some instances they pre-
pare their butter with 1914 per cent water.
This is within the law. II they get a
fraction over 16 per cent they are liable.
One small creamery, not far from this city,
was totally confiscated by the government,
1t was fined 81, 800 and could not pay. The
plant was accordingly confiscated and sold
and the operators put out OF business
There are a number OF government license
men working in this territory all the time
and Commissioners Wright's advice to the
butter makers all the time is, Keep
within the law. Run no chances and then
you will be safe"
ChRnge in Auditors office.
Offices of the state changed hands to-
day, though there was but one change In
the heads of the offices-that Of state
auditor. Governor Carroll will not be in
augurated until January IL The office OF
auditor of state went into the hands of
Mr.. Bleakley at noon, when the last OF the
insurance secretaries were checked over
Secretary of State Hayward succeeds
himself, as does state Treasurer Morrow.
| The balance of the cash in the state
treasury at noon today. when Mr.. Morrow
| commenced his new term, was H,O4S, 1924.
Governor Carroll Guaranteed.
Governor-elect Carroll who today stepped
out of office and' expected to go to his
home in Bloomfield for a ten days visit
with his family before entering upon the
duties of governor. was quarantined out
OF his own home by the local health Of
ficers. lie received the word this morning
that the quarantine had been raised for
scarlet fever, which II develops his little
son. Jean, has, Accordingly Mr.. Carroll
will not go to his home during his ten
days OF common citizenship, unless the ILL
ness OF his son should prove serious.
New Assistant Attorney General.
Attorney General Byers has appointed
Charles Wilcox of Des Moines assistant
attorney general to succeed Mr.. Cossom,
who leaves his duties TO take a seat in the
legislature next week. Mr.. Wilcox Is
treasurer of the State Bar association and
assisted in the speakers bureau of the re-
publican state central committee last fall.
lie commenced his duties at once.
Board of Parole Meets.
The State Board of Parole convened at
1870 this afternoon to take up the hearing
OF petitions for ~pardons. While no new
matter was taken on the Rainsbarger
cases. the board will az this session make
some recommendation to the governor, and
IL is strongly rumored that II will be a
recommendation for a pardon. The two
boys. It is understood have promised the
board that II released they will never re-
turn 10 Hardin county or among their old
associates.
Leroy A. Palmer OF Arkansas, formerly
Of Mt Pleasant In this state, appeared "a
day to plead for the pardon OF A. V.
Storms. NJ. r. Hammer, jr, Of Newton Is
here 10 plead for liberation OF ormon Nc
| Pherson. who was convicted Of killing an