Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-10

degree, protected the consumer against
deception and the dairy interests
against imposition, but according to
the report of the secretary of the
treasury for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1915, page 1879, wholesale fraud
is still being practiced.
'The secretary in his report states
that the government had been de-
frauded thru artificially colored oleo
being sold under tax-paid stamps at
one fourth of per cent per pound in
stead Of at the rate Of 10 cents due on
such product. by four manufacturers
of the enormous sum Of 1882, 41047
since the inception Of the present law
BY another manufacturer. Sl,5O3, 2O5.30
in six years period. The five alone. in
the aggregate $19,195,61317 stamp
taxes, exclusive Of special taxes OF
Wholesale and retail dealers incurred.
"In view of the alleged difficulty in
enforcing the present law and the
fraud perpetrated under it. the secre-
tary recommends amendatory leglsla-
ton to correct these faults and at the
same time afford adequate protection
to the revenues and to the public. MI.
Cabell. former commissioner OF IN
ternal revenue and others. testlhed anu
reported to the agricultural committee.
numerous violations ana suggested
amendments to the present law Ike
Gently fOrty-three persons were sent
to the pententarN for VIOLATIONS.
Others are under Indictment and' un-
douhtedly. will also go 10 the penl-
Tertiary.
Law Needs Amendment.
For some time |, has been evident
that the present law is not perfect IN
all it's detail hut that 1t should be
amended. For a number or years
several. especially the officers or the
National Dairy Union in consultation
with others, have lahored industriously
and conscientiously TO have the pres
ent law amended, not to weaken it
but to strengthen il, 10 make 1t just
and fair to the oleo interests, to pre-
vent fraud and to protect the dairy IN
terest and consumer against imposi-
ton. In preparing and presenting
such a bill. with the prevailing mis-
Of the purpose OF the 10
cent tax. il was decided not to insist
upon the Decent tax but to prescribe
and insist upon a color standard, 70
per cent white beyond which oleo can
not go, except when Colored for ones
own family table which is in line with
the laws Of the state Of Pennsylvania
and Of Denmark and made possible by
a practical means for scientifically
measuring color recently worked cut
by the National Bureau of Standards.
The bill introduced provides that
the name of oleomargarine shall be
changed to margarine, that 1t shall be
sold in half, one or tive-pound
packages properly marked. wrapped
and branded, that books shall be kept
in such form as prescribed and open to
Inspection that a strip stamp shall be
wrapped around each wrapper instead
of the coupon stamp now used. for
fat tax Of cent per pound on all
margarine. for special taxes on manu-
facturers, wholesalers and retailers,
that the sale of MARGARINE shall be
subject to the laws of the state and
shall not be exempt therefrom by
reason Of being introduced in the
original packages or otherwise. and for
heavy penalties for violations Of the
law.
"This bill was introduced by me at
the request Of the National Dairy
Union. It was prepared by men OF
experience and talent, with the aim
to- make It Just and fair to all con-
cerned. It Is Endorsed by the repre-
sentatives Of dairy interests. 1t should
be passed speedily, without change.
and as prepared by the committee that
drafted it. I trust that Under existing
conditions we may succeed in securing
it's passage and bringing about the re-
suits So much desired"