The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-05-27

as ON butter.
"These facts explain why some in
terests are so anxious to secure legis-
lation favorable TO oleomargarine.
These same influences have evidently
been active among the laboring men
and conveyed the impression that the
10 cent tax provided in the 1902 law
on oleo, when colored, is one cause for
their having to pay such high prices
for butter. SO far as I could hear no
publicity had been given to the fact
that oleo in it's true natural color was
taxed only one-fourth of a cent per
pound or that only per cent Of the
oleo manufactured paid the 10 cent
per pound tax. They also make great
claims of discovering a butter trust,
that the entire dairy product, from the
COW that produces the milk up, is foul,
filthy, injurious to health, and a detri-s
ment TO humanity in general.
THE attitude of the oleo interests
is one way Of attracting attention away
from their fraudulent practices and,
by preying on public prejudices, secure
II possible, legislation that will be
beneficial to themselves, and against
the great dairy and accompanied inter
ests. Speaking for myself am willing
to concede that there is a field for
oleomargarine, but am not willing to
concede that that should be
the one occupied these thou
sands of years by butter. 1t
should have distinct line of de-
marcation from butter, and that the
color line. Let it stand on Its own
foundation in its true color, not hang
to butter like a parasite as it always
has, to greater or less degree, in our
country. All civilized countries on
earth has strict laws regarding it's
manufacture and sale, Canada prohib-
iting it absolutely.
1.-The dairymen attending the hear
ing decided to endorse the McHenry
bill as being the one before the house
that comes the nearest to what they
believed was just and fair to all par
ties concerned. This bi1l was drawn up
by the dairymen of Pennsylvania, and
gets its name from the congressman
who introduced it. The same bill has
been introduced in the senate but it is
called the Penrose bill. 1 noticed that
some correspondent to state papers
stated I was opposed to this, but 1t
was mistake. If we can secure leg
islation that will prohibit the manu-
facture or sale of oleomargarine in any
shade Of yellow, darker than a light
straw, and have a tax on it sufficient
to keep it under the internal revenue
department, believe all we can expect
or reasonably ask will be accomplished.
If we must have it colored or have it
go out in a darker shade Of yellow, then
we should by all means have a 10 cent
tax wall to protect the real article.
Such a bill as will secure just and
equitable regulations, fair TO the oleo-
margarine interests, fair to the dairy
men, and one that will protect the con-
Stunning public against fraud should
become a national law, and until we
secure such an act this important ques-
ton will never be settled.
Fortunately for our interests the
North Dakota members in congress are
right Unfortunately other interests
appear stronger in other states or dis
tricts Of the states SO that, at the pres
emit time, the feeling in the large labor
centers that the farmers are getting
the long end Of the profits. with this
feeling intensified by the selfish, per-
sonal interests, makes the problem of
securing such legislation a serious one.