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

Washington, April 1O.-Dairy in
cleo will be interested in the bill Rep
resentative Haugen has presented to
repeal the existing cleo tax, imposing
cent tax, and allowing oleo to be
80 per cent colored. A new method
for measuring the color has been
worked out by the bureau Of stand
ards. The bill was presented at the
instance of the National Dairy Union.
Mr. Haugen has issued a statement
relative to the bill and the oleo sltua-
ton. He said:
Several bills are now pending in
congress which in effect would ma
terially weaken the present oleo law
if enacted. One bill goes so far as to
provide, That the artificial celebration
of oleomargarine causing it to look
like butter is hereby expressly per-
mitted," which, if enacted into law,
would greatly build up the oleo in
dustry at the expense of the dairy in
dustry making it possible to pawn of
the counterfeit article for the genuine
article at butter price. Thus, by de-
ceiving the consumer it would not only
mate market, but it would also enable
the oleo manufacturer and dealer to
swindle the consumer to the extent Of
the difference In the cost Of the two
articles.
Hitherto objections have been made
to the 10 cent tax, upon the contention
that it is q tax upon the consumer.
Now that the National Dairy Union
and other representatives OF the dairy
interests have suggested and agreed to
its removal. by substituting therefor
nominal tax, and prescribing a color
standard beyond which oleo shall not
go, the 1O-cent tax argument has been
abandoned and copies OF a resolution
introduced In congress and circular
letters purporting 10 quote officials in
the department of agriculture dis
crediting butter have been sent broad
cast over this country, evidently to
prejudice tho people against the use OF
butter.
Law Violations Numerous.
Tho fraudulent sale of cleo at the
time tho Circuit bill was under consid-
GRAFTON IN 1888 disclosed the fact that
manufacturers Of cleo had entered into
a conspiracy to break down the state
laws and had reeorted to dishonorable
methods In forcing their counterfeit
upon the public by avoiding and dis
obey1ng the laws Of the land to the ex-
tent OF 5,493 dealers. selling 62,s2o,5S2
pounds Of cleo out Of a total product
Of $3.50. 474 pounds for the year. con-
trary to the laws Of thirty-one states.
The manufacturers going 50 far as to
encourage and urge dealers to violate
the laws of the states, and providing
for a defense fund for the employment
of the best legal counsel obtainable In
defending illicit sales whenever prose-
cution was instituted. led to the pass
age Of the present law. The object of
the proponents Of the present law was,
first. to bring oleo under the 1urisdic-
ton Of the federal government by i'm
posing a nominal tax upon the article.
and second, to remove the incentive to
defraud by taxing the coloring Of the
oleo causing it to look like butter. or
the counterfeit, at the rate OF 10 cents
per pound which was then the differ
ence in the cost OF butter and cleo
Hence, not for the purpose OF adding
TO the price Of oleo or to the burden OF
the consumer as alleged by some, but
to insure honest dealings in oleo. 1t
was believed that with proper en-
forcement of the law 1t would prove
effective. Undoubtedly 1t has served
a. good purpose as 1t has In large