Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-15
Senate Committee Summons
the Independents.
C0ST-0F-LIvING INQUIRY
Senator McCumber Gives Informa-
ton Regarding Butter He Bought.
CAPT. OYSTER AGAIN HEARD
Representative Moore Introduces
Bill to Prevent Determinations
in Sales Of Necessaries.

| Independent packers from New York
and Cincinnati have been summoned to
appear before the Senate committee or
the cost of living Thursday, and they
| are expected to throw much light on the
| range of prices paid to the farmers fol
cattle, and Of prices charged retailers
| and jobbers for meats.
Meanwhile, the committee is continuing
to question retail dealers as to their prices
| to the consumers. James F. Oyster, Local
butter and egg dealer, was again before
| the committee today. and later several
| storekeepers of Richmond. Va, were
| heard.
Oyster Again a Witness.
AS was the case yesterday, Capt. Oyster
came to the hearing we'll stocked with
| statistics to support his statements. In
| fact, in the opinion of many, he has been
the best prepared with substantial proof
OF any Of the witnesses so far called be.
fore the committee.
1t developed during the hearing that
Senator McCumber recently has been get
ting some bad butter upon his dinner
table, and he as led many questions re-
garding the price OF good butter.
II have paid as high as IS cents pound
for butter" Senator McCumber remarked,
that was not fit for axle grease"
Capt. Oyster told the senator that there
was no reason why strong butter should
be sold in this city, If ii is kept with
The witness was asked as to the extent
of the use of oleomargarine in Washing
ton.
There are some government institu-
tons here using it that ought not to-"
replied Capt Oyster.
WHAT? questioned Senator Simmons.
THE Government Hospital for the In
sane, for instance"
Falling OF in Sales.
Capt. Oyster explained that not as
much of oleomargarine is being sold now
as formerly. Some dealers several years
ago. he said, sold oleomargarine. claim
ing that 1t was butter, and he solicited
government aid in preventing what he
classed as fraud. Through the activity
of the Secretary of Agriculture and the
support OF The Evening Star. he said,
the frauds were stopped, and some of the
fraudulent dealers were put behind the
bars.
Capt Oyster defended the storage
plants, claiming that they are a bene-
1T to consumers and have become a
necessity. The storage houses. ne
maintained. are check on exorbitant
prices. for their contents can be put
on the market whenever the prices Of
fresh products become too high.
Charles H. Kastleberg Of Richmond,
Va, was the next witness, and he
told OF the prices OF meats prevailing
in the capital Of the Old Dominion.
To Prevent Determinations.
AS q result of testimony before the spe-
cial committee of the House District COM
mittee. which has been investigating the
food problem in the National Capital.
tending to show the existence of a COM
bination among wholesalers and retailers
here, Representative Moore Of Pennsyl-
vania today introduced a bill intended to
put stop to determinations In the sale
Of the necessaries of life.
Mr.. MoOre's measure provides that "ev-
cry person. partnership. association and
corporation which in the District Of CO.
lumbia stores for sale or sells any food,
beverage or drug to any limited class OF
customers and not to all customers alike
who tender the regular price thereof, or
who or which demands of q certain Gus
toner or customers price in excess OF
what is demanded of customers generally
for like goods and service, shall pay an
nually to the collector Of taxes Of the
District a license fee Of $500. to be de-
posted in the Treasury to the credit OF
the District of Columbia
Forbids Sales Until Tax Is Paid.
Another section OF the bill prohibits the
sale of goods in this discriminatory man.
ner outlined until such tax has been paid
and a license taken out in accordance
with the provisions of the bill.
Violations OF the provisions of the bill
are made punishable by fine of not
more than $1,000 and imprisonment for
not more than two years. or both.
Mr.. Moore also introduced another
measure in connection with the labelling
of Packages containing foods, beverages
and drugs sold In the District, So as to
show the weight or measure Of the con-
teItts thereof.
Prohibitory Clause.
This bill prohibits any person in the
District from placing on any container.
bundle, package or parcel in which there
is food, beverage or drug. any mark that
will falsely indicate the minimum net
weight or measure of the contents, or
that may mislead the purchaser with re-
spect thereto. Violations are made
punishable by a fine of not more than