STATE DAIRY ASSOCIATION. 745 



OLEOMARGARINE. 



B. SHII^LING, PRSSIDENT NATIONAL DAIRY UNION, CHICAGO. 



Geutlemeu— It hardly seems necessary for me to again enter into any- 

 thing of an extended account of our organization. Its aims and objects 

 are already well known to you, and the simple fact that our work has 

 shrunk the output of oleomargarine the first two years of the existence 

 of the law we secured, from. 125,000,000 to less than 50,000,000 pounds 

 is of itself sufficient evidence that we should be entitled to some con- 

 sideration at your hands. 



One year ago when I had the pleasure of standing before you we 

 were in considerable doubt as to whether our law was going to stand 

 the test as to its constitutionality, but I am glad to be able to inform 

 you that doubt no longer remains; every case that was then pending 

 before the Supreme Court of the United States has since been decided 

 in our favor, and we have every assurance that our law protecting our 

 industry as dairymen is proof against any onslaught that may be made 

 as to its constitutionality. 



But in the past year a neAv danger has arisen. The oleomargarine 

 manufacturers, recognizing the impossibility of being, able to overthrow 

 or nullify the law, have formed an organization for the purpose of secur- 

 ing a modification of that law, in that they are asking for a reduction 

 of the present ten cent tax to four cents, aud also making such other 

 provisions and changes as avouW practically nullify the present law. 

 This has been met with prompt action by the National Dairy Union 

 and the machinery of the organization put in motion to combat any move 

 looking to any change iu our present law. Our success will depend 

 entirely upon the support we receive fronj the dairymen at large. We 

 believe we make no mistake or can not be accused of egotism when we say 

 the present healthy condition of the butter market is due to our organiza- 

 tion, and we feel that this should entitle us to consideration at the hands 

 of every dairyman and cre'amery man in the country. 



Our aiinual meeting is soon to be held, on February 3, at Mason City, 

 Iowa, and it is the wish of the officers that we have a large meeting, 

 and also it is our wish that we know before undertaking another year's 

 work whether we are going to have the support necessary to take up 

 this new struggle we feel is coming and carry it on successfully. Pass 

 a strong resolution commending our work, then take the individual action 

 necessary before our annual meeting so we may know whether we can 

 depend upon you in the future. 



