St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-08-24
GRANGE NOTES
Congressman Plumley Warns Vermont
Dairymen of the Danger of Qleomar-
gariue.

Congressman Frank Plumley told 500
Vermont Changers at Lake Bomoseen
Thursday that to allow manufacturers
of oleomargarine to color their product
at the factories, as powerful forces are
now irving to induce Congress to permit
them to do, would be sounding the death
knell to dairy interests and, therefore, to
the farm, in Vermont and like commun-
tiles. Congressman Plunllev and Lieut.
gov. John A. Mead were the principal
speakers at field day held at the lake
by the Changers of southwestern Yer
mont and adjoining towns in Washing
ton county, New York. c. F. Smith of
Morrisville. master of the State Grange,
presided and there were remarks by
several New York State Changers. Con-
gresham P1umley spoke in non-part-
isan way, wishing, he said, in so repre-
sentative a body of all classes and
parties to avoid politics. He devoted
most OF his time to a discussion of the
oleomargarine question as it is before
Congress. impressing upon the Changers
the fact that the contention for the sub
stitute for butter had great strength be-
hind it. The farmers of the South are
behind the oleomorgarine industry be-
cause they see in it a use for one of the
big products of their cotton. Big beef
men like Armour and Swift are arrayed
against the dairyman's interests because
there is in the oleomargarine industry an
opportunity to turn to good account
one of the big products of their slaugh-
terhouses. These powerful forces are
backed by thousands of laboring men
who cannot afford to pay the price of
real butter. What the fighters for oleo-
margarine want is the right to color
their product at the factories. The pre-
sent interstate commerce laws, levy
tax of 10 cents pound on oleomargar-
inc sold colored and only quarter of
cent on the uncolored. The law is un-
favorable to the federal authorities, also
because it does not give the right of
search and seizure and is, therefore, diff
fcult to enforce. A change of law is
bound to come, but to allow the oleo-
margarine manufacturer to color his
product at the factories would be death
to the dairy interests and to kill the
diaries is to kill the farms in communities
like Vermont.
After a few Introductory remarks DR..
Mead referred to the personal relation of
the Granger to agricultural lite and to
the various Improvements along agricul-
tural lines. He spoke of the Grange as
an educator and as a great social factor
to the people of this State, hoping that
the Grange individually would support
all genuine progress along the lines of
tax reform, better highways and more
practical schools. He then referred to
the influence which the Grange should
have to keep our best young men and
women cOntented and to induce them to
make the most of the opportunities here
in Vermont, and to make the very best
of rural life in this State, that the ideals
of Vermont citizenship might be served.
DIR. Mead spoke of the many ways, in
Guiding those above referred to, that the
Grange could help the new Vermont.
The speaker referred to the great impor-
lance of agricultural life in the nation,
giving various statistics as to the
amount of agricultural products during
the years 1906 and 1907, the figures
being almost beyond belief. He stated
that during 1906 the exports from this
country were about billion dollars and
that 5613 per cent. of the above figures
were agri cultural products. Had it not
been for the work of the farmer our gov
eminent would have shown deficiency
of five hundred million dollars during
this year.