The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette., 1910-05-14

present law taxes, believe ten cents per pound !"
We would not say that Mr. Hardy needs informa-
tion about the oleomargarine law as much as
about oleomargarine itself. but surely he knows
that 1t is only when colored in imitation OF but
ter, that oeomargarine has to bear this ten-cent
tax We do not question Mr.. Hardy's perfect
fairness. but 1t is fact worth noting that we
have yet to see an argument in favor of repeating
this tax that would not leave the impression on
one unacQuanted with the law that all oleo has
to pay this ten-cent tax. Always good care is
taken not to say that 1T is only the coIored pro-
duct that has to pay it.
The fraukness OF the oleomargarine propagan-
dists on this point is convincing as is their
talk about class legislation" and special
favors" In view of the fact that the general pre-
judico against oleo is due simply to the fact that
II has never been sold honestly and on It's merits
or as is their talk about reducing the cost OF liv-
ing. when any who will think a minute must
know that II is solely because they expect to be
able TO sell their product for higher price that
they want the privilege Of coloring II. People do
not object TO ealing oleo because II is white, but
because II has been fraudulently sold so long that
they have an idea that II is unwholesome
II may be. as Mr.. Hardy says. perfectly whole
some. but the notion that II is more healthful or
nutritious than animal butter" u.s. of course alb
surd. II the oleo men really want only fair
show. ms they claim. why do they not devote
some OF the energy they are now wasting In their
attacks on this tax to building up a demand for
their product on It's merits7 That is the way
legitimate business enterprises should be con-
Quoted.
AS to what Mr.. Hardy says about our having
Interest
ment." Il is worth while to say little. II there is
vital interest 10 The Progressive Farmer and Ga
Eette. that class Is the cotton growers. And when
any man attempts to draw a line OF division be-
tween dairymen and farmers. he simply shows
that he ia getting out OF his depth. The men who
have really studied agricultural conditions and
problems In the South unanimous In their
agreement that the development OF the live stock
Industry Is absolutely necessary TO the permanent
prosperity of the Cotton Belt: and It is also the
unanimous verdict OF those really informed on
the subject. that the feeding of cottonseed meal
10 dairy cattle here In tho South would be worth
hundreds of times much could be any de-
mand for cottonsced oil created by the removal OF
the tax on colorad oleomargarine.
What many Southern legislators. editors and
publicists sorely need TO do this question. is to
get right down To brass taeks' and find out what
are tho real facts in the case. Too many OF them
have allowed tho oleo mems talk about discrimi-
nation against cotton products TO blind them. not
only to the true interest OF the South In the mat
ter. but also 10 the principles involved.
II eoiorcd oieo ia TO be sold oeo. what basis
is there for tho assumption that coioring 1t will
either increase the demand for IL or lower the
cost OF living?
And. on the other hand. II II is TO be sold as
butter. who save the manufacturers. will profit
by the removal OF the tax on the colored product