The farmer and mechanic., 1910-02-22
BY THOMAS j. PENCE.


removal Of the ten cent tax on oleo-
margarine, which is pending before
Congress. Senator Simmons and Rep
Tesentative Kitchin are strongly in IA
Eor Of the removal Of the tax. and
both expect to speak on the subject
when it comes up for discussion.
Oleomargarine is generally used
in public eating places now, and it is
a smart man who can differentiate be-
tween butter and that product. Many
people eat oleomargarine right along
under the impression that it is but
ter. In discussing the question of re-
moving the government tax, which
will have the effect of lowering the
price OF the product, Representative
Claude kitchin said:
Congressman Kitchin's View
Il am opposed to the ten cent tax
on OieOmarS3rin
L opposed it when it passed the
5Ith Congress, because it is unfair,
unjust and undemocratic. 1t is against
the fundamental principles OF Dem
ocracy, for it claims the right to use
the taxing power of the governm ent
to cripple and destroy legitimate in
siuStrieS because they are in competi-
ton with others. If the principle is
accepted. then the meat trust, for in
stance, could invoke the same sort Of
law to tax out of competition with
pure hog lard cottolene and other
forms Of lard, and the olive oil people
demand such d tax against cotton seed
oil and silk manufacturers against
InerceriZed goods.
1t is the principle-if it is bad in
one instance, it is in all similar ones.
"Oleonartsarine, by the overwhelm-
ing testimony Of experts, is more
wholesome than butter. It does not
become ransid nor does it furnish a
breeding place for germs.
For every man In our State that
makes butter for the market there are
800 that use it. Why should we tax
the 500 to benefit the one? If tax
oleomargarine out Of the market we
give the big dairyman "a monopoly.
This would be especially bad at this
time, when butter is selling III the
cities for 40 cents = pound, and Olco-
margarine for %.
Il favor the law that requires cor
rect labelling. Give the product It's
proper name 50 that the person who
buys it may know just what he Is get
ting. Those who prefer oleomargar-
ine to butter, at the prevailing prices,
should be permitted TO buy it without
having to pay the addition OF ten cents
1t is unfair TO discriminate IN favor OF
butter.
Senator Simmons has embodied his
views on the question in letter TO a
constituent who asked him to vote toI
the retention Of the tax. This the
Senator will not do. and in giving
The reasons for his position. Senator
Simmons wrote the following letter:
Senator simmons Writes.
Washington, Feb Is, 1919.
My Dear Sir: 7 have the honor to
ackno wledge receipt of your esteemed
favor of recent date in opposition to
the repeal of the specific tax OF ten
cents per pound on colcred olcomar-
s,arine.
/ regret exceedingly that there
should be disagreement between Us
with respect to this matter.
The sole purpose or the ten cents
tax on oleornargarine is TO suppress
that product i'll the interest of a com
uetifjyc product. ] cannot heheEe II
i wise or Just thus to impose pro
4ibitiNe taN on tho legitimate pfodut'
of one man in the interest OF that OF
another 1t would be just AS logica
and Just to impose prohibltiEe taz
on the cotton grower in the lntefes'
Of the wool grower, OF Vica versa, OF
impose u prohibitiVe tax on a corr
grower in the interest ol q Nhea'
grower. or Vlca versa, etc III ot'-,i ,
words this oleomargarlne tax cltalls
a2nIies the principle Of protection &c
= rrohibitivc extent to one domestic
Industry in favor OF another ahc j
therefore un-America ana uh-beiho-
.t.ratic rs we'll as unjust.
~ position with regard TO thlS td>
i, the same today that 1t has alWays
b.rY When the oleomargarine bll
80 originally before the Senate
,r,r,oss.d this feature Of it with all my
might and main, making my lifst eiao
u.utc speech in the Senate against J.
Ioo1nargarne is admittedly Z
Wholesome and healthy article OF dlet
'..ei IN this country chiefly by lllt
poorer classes, and this tax therefore
IS :. burden upon them. = Know o.
.;p reas0n why the producer OF oleo
-n:r@arine more than the pfoNucti
Cf alIv other legitimate article o
8. rlTnorce should be required to pay
u TN 3pon its production ana Salt
;t7.d ktow Of no reason why thF
u,}Gr man who buys this pioduct
La g. N-(nl a