The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1911-01-05
Cotton-Seed Moonshiners.
Charlotte Observer.

Charlotte observer.
1t is rather queer to read OF "oleo-
margarine moonshining," in view OF
the admitted fact that well-made
oleomargarine or cotton-seed butter
compares favorably with butter as a
wholesome and nutritious product.
Cotton-seed butter in its uncOlOred
state. however, does not present a
particularly appetizing appearance
to people who associate yellowness
with the appetizing quality. Neither
does most dairy butter, so dairy
butter has been colOred as a regular
part of its manufacture for many
years. Seeking a special privilege
for their product, the "butter trust"
centeriDg at Elgin, ILL.,, conceived the
idea OF having the rival product
heavily taxed whenever it catered to
the traditional demand for yellow
color. This idea was pushed without
regard to the fact that substitution
of one product for the other was al
ready specially penalized by Federal
and State laws which political agita-
ton on their part had secured. Oleo-
margarine was taxed two cents
pound and could be made only under
an inspection designed to prevent its
substitution for butter even more
than it's purity. Yet eleven years
ago the Elgin interests, by means OF
expensive and long continued lobby
ing, induced Congress to make the
tax not less than ten cents a pound.
Southern Congressman have been
protesting against this unfair and
sectional discrimination ever since.
In this connection q resolution
unanimously adopted by the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor at its last
annual session is of interest:
WHEREAS, oleomargarine is conceded
by chemists and food experts to be a
wholesome food product; and
WHEREAS, existing laws discriminate
against this wholesome foodproduct
through tax of ten cents a pound,
when artificially cOlored, the only
purpose OF which is to make it appear
palatable; and
WHEREAS, artificial eoloring matter
is permitted in butter and other
dairy products, which clearly estab-
fishes discrimination; and
WHEREAS, the discriminatory tax
placed upon oleomargarine must be
paid in the main by the poorer class
es of people, and has a tendency to
increase the price of butter; and
WHEREAS, the placing OF tax OF 10
cents per pound on colored oleomar-
garine has rather increased than de-
creased violations OF the law; there
fore be it
Resolved, By the American
Federation OF Labor, in convention
assembled, that Congress be pc
titioned to so amend the oleomarga
rine law that a tax not exceeding z
cents per pound be placed upon the
product, whether colored or uncolor-
ed, and that license fee not exceed
ing six dollars ($6) per year be
placed upon the retailer for the
privilege OF vending oleomargarine,
and that the product be packed in
One-half, one, two and three-pOund
packages only, and that the product
be sold only in original tax-paid
packages
We are in most cordial sympathy
with efforts to develop dairying as a
large industry in the South. Werec-
ognize that this section has some
peculiar advantages for such devel-
| opment, and that in no other way
can the fertilizing value of the cotton
seed be retained upon the land, But
there is no reason whatever why q
| cotton-seed product should through
| trade jealousy be singled out for
| treatment as il it were some danger
Gus drug Our markets are full Of
substitutes for almost everything,
yet not until the pure-food law was
| enacted four years agO-and it alone
should apply to butter and OleOmar-
garine il no discrimination is sought
did any Federal legislation against
any of them exist. Every man who
| faces high cost of living has stake
in this matter, as we'll as the cotton
grower Surely the proposals of the
American Federation OF Labor, which
manifestly recognize the strong pO-
litlcal position of the anti-oleomar-
garine interests, are moderate
enough. AS for us, we trust that we
should oppose any such glaringly
unjust legislation, irrespective OF
whom it hurt or whom it benefited
If this Congress does not grant re-
lief, the Democratic House OF the next
Congress will approach an excellent
opportunity.