The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-04-27
THE oLEo LAW
Letter From Congressman PIumley
Relative to Certain Criticism


Frank f. Howe, Bennington, VT,
Dear Mr. Howe;-An editorial in
Hoards Dairyman, issue of 5th in
slant, censures me very severely for
the attitude which it alleges | have
taken in Congress relative to pending
oleomargarine legislation. know
thatthe Dairyman has large circu
lation in Vermont among our dairy
farmers especially and that it is high
ly regarded by them. The article is
so positive in its assertions that |
believe 1t should be answered public
ly and hence | seek place in your
columns.
The statement which it makes con
corning my attitude towards oleomar
garine legislation now pending in
congress, is in its entirety and in
every particular absolutely unwar-
ranted by the facts.
The treasury department is respon-
sible for the administration of the
present law on that subject II holds
and for some time has held that the
present law is inefficient both in the
production of revenue and in the pre-
yenton of fraudulent sales For
some time this department has been
asking for a law that would produce
revenue and that would prevent
fraud. AS a result many bills have
been introduced.
They were referred 10 the commit
tee on agriculture. OF which am
the member from New England In
turn these bills we're referred. to
subcommittee Of FIVE, three Demo
Gratis and two Republicans. these
two being Mr. Haugen, of Iowa, and
myself The bill which met with
most favor at the treasury depart
ment was the Lever bill II became
our duty to consider all the bills
and make report to the full commit
tee.
My position on these bills was sta
ted at the first meeting OF the sub
committee 1t was that in the in
terest OF the butter maker and OF
the consumer all fraud in thee sale Of
oleomargarine must be eliminated to
the last degree so far as il can be
done through congressional action
During the entire sitting of the
subcommittee w r. Carter, Of Rut-
land. president OF Vermont Dairy
mems association was present gave
valuable assistance. knows my atti-
! tude towards the matter from the be
ginning and approves it. Hon c. r.
Smith, of Morrisvlle master OF the
state grange. was present at the hear
| ings OF the full committee. knows my
attitude and trusts me. The late Re.
| preventative Foster. in his lifetime.
was in constant touch with me con.
corning this legislation, knew OF my
position and purpose and was in full
accord Senators Dillingham; and
Page have been advised with by me.
know and fully sustain me in what
! have done and In what | am trying
TO do Hon. O. l. Martin of Plain.
field, commissioner OF agriculture
has been consulted by me on this
matter, as have others and approves
Of my plan and purpose. George NJ
Whitaker secretary OF the National
Dairy Union, was in frequent con
ference with Mr. Carter and myself
while the work OF the subcommitte,
was In progress
From this platform have mo-
deyiated hair and shall not n,
bill now before the committee fully
satisfies me- believe there may b,
and should be Improvement. E1ort
are being made to formulate bill
, that will be satisfactory to all inter
} ests. That this may be done an,
done wisely. on n motion made by m,
In the full committee recently IN,
, whole question has been postpone,
until next December. Nothing bal
! a bill which to the last degree posi-
BILE prevents fraud upon the butte
maker and fraud upon the consume
Of oleomargarine will be supporte
by me-
Letters TO or personal talks wit
any or all Of the gentlemen name
or with any or every member OF IN
committee on agriculture are sollcl
ed by me II verihcation Of my stat,
g ment is needed or desired.
c Yours very truly,
Frank Plumley.
Washington, ID. c., April %, 1912.
H[s1 ~