The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-05-22
TAX ON OLEOMARGlNE

1t is just twenty-four years since
congress passed the Hatch bill levying
a tax of two cents a pound on oleo-
margarine. The demand for this prac-
tically came from the farmers, and as
the tillers of the soil were successful
in their fight for a tax on the substi-
tute for butter. Strange as it may
seem, it was Democrat house that
passed the Hatch bill. but it was
largely Republican vote that carried
the bill through the house.
At that time the manufacture of
oleomargarine was in its infancy and
cotton seed oil was then almost I'M
known as an Ingredient: but as the
sale of oleomargarine increased with
strides and bounds the farmers of the
country appealed to congress again,
with the result that they secured what
is now known as the Crout law. and
Representative Hatch, of Missouri, the
author of the original law. is almost
forgotten. Indeed, there are but few
members in the present house who
know anything of the history of cleo
legislation. There are but three men,
bers in the house today who voted for
the Hatch bill. They are Cannon,
Bingham and Payne.
The present high price of food pro-
ducts has started an agitation for the
repeal Of the tax on oleomargarine,
and as it is the labor unions that are
behind the movement, lively fight is
anticipated. These unions are send
ing in petitions from every section of
the country asking for a repeal of the
tax on oleo, while the diary interests
are active working up petitions from
the farmers urging stricter legisla-
ton to regulate the sale Of oleomar-
garine, and protesting against the re-
peal of the tax. In view of the stand
taken by the unions in this matter it
is doubtful il the house committee on
agriculture can afford to ignore the
labor organizations, and refuse to re-
port one of the bills to the house mod
flying the oleo tax. If the subject
comes upat this session and an ex-
ceedingly lively debate may follow, as
the farmers and the labor unions are
factors in politics that cannot be ig-
nored.
Navy to Experiment.
The navy department will soon be-
gin valuable experiments with outside
explosive shells. which, il successful,
may cause revolution in the con-
struction of warships. These expert
ments are ordered by an amendment
contained in the naval appropriation
bin which was offered by Representa-
tive Hobson, Of Alabama. The amend
ment merely privded that the appro-
priation for experiments in armor
piedcing shells should include outside
explosive sheels.
This amendment, however, was not
pleasing to certain officials in the
navy department, who have constantly
maintained the armor belt could be
pierced and ships destroyed by pro-
jecting shells penetrating armor and
exploding on the inside, but strange
| to say there is no record of any such
shells penetrating armor belt at battle
ranges. Representative Hobson, who
takes deep pride in the navy, and
wishes Uncle Sam to lead the list,
says there can be no possible excuse
for the navy to longer postpone ex-
pertments with outside explosive
shells, and 1t was only because the
department has delayed these import
ant experiments that he had the
amendment placed in the appropria-
ton bill making 1t mandatory on the
department to take action.
The success of the outside sheel. it
10 said said. will save the government
thousands Of dollars, and perhaps do