518 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



We approve the phia of the State to build 8,000 miles of inter- 

 county highways, as provided for, by what is known as the Sproul 

 l\oad -Bill passed by the last I.egislaLuie. This woik will not only 

 provide good roads, but will tend to reduce local taxation, as these 

 roads will be maintained solely by the State, liondiug the State, 

 however, for fifty million, we are not so free to say is good business 

 management. 



CHESTNUT TREE BLIGHT 



We favor all active efforts towards the suppression of what is 

 known as "The Chestnut Tree Blight," which is attacking the chest- 

 nut timber in various parts of the State. 



We endorse and hope for the passage of the Bill now before Con- 

 gress appropriating |80,()00 for the aid of this very important work. 



EQUALIZATION OP TAXATION 



We most strongly assert that the taxes as levied and collected 

 in Pennsylvania place an unequal and unjust burden upon the farmers 

 and home-owners, inasmuch as corporate and personal property pays 

 but o mills on the dollar while real estate pays Hi to IS mills. As a 

 means for equalizing taxation we urge increased appropriations for 

 roads and schools, both of which are State, and not local matters of 

 interest and import. We have outlined above our position upon road 

 apijropriations. As to schools, we reiterate our demand that the 

 State pay to school districts a sum equal to the minimum salary of 

 all teachers employed in each district for the minimum school term. 

 As a means for increased revenue, we suggest that a tax of 1 mill 

 might be placed upon oil and coal and sucli revenue go towards the 

 construction of good roads. 



OLEOMARGARINE 



One of the items of great importance to the farmers, is ]egis:Iation 

 atfecting our great dairy interests ; and there is no greater menace to 

 this interest than the colored product known as oleomargarine used 

 as an imitation for butter. We have an excellent law in Pennsylvania 

 upon this subject, which only awaits vigorous and conscientious en- 

 forcement to make it a sure and safe protector for the far- 

 mer. Efforts were made by the oleomargarine people before the 

 last Legislature to hobble this law, but were blocked by the intelli- 

 gent nresentation of the facts by the organized farmers, led ac- 

 tivity by the State Grange. It is our duty to be ever alert upon this 

 subject. At the present time a strong effort is being made, on the 

 part of the packing interests who control the market in oleomargarine, 

 which is largely made-up of by-products from the slaughter houses, 

 to secure Federal legislation which will place oleomargarine on a 

 level with good butter. The danger to the farmer is apparent, and 

 the damage to be done by such legislation cannot he estimated. We 

 should see that our Congressmen and United States Senators are in- 

 formed, in no uncertain terms, that the farmers of Pennsylvania are 

 opposed to legislation which will permit the placing of this substitute 

 upon a level tcith the real dairy product. The fraud in oleomar- 

 garine is in the coloring of it, and this is the one great point at issue, 



