OLEOMARGARINE. 65 



testified that the ingredients of oleomargarine are healthful and nutri- 

 tious and that the product contains nothing deleterious to health. 

 The same gentlemen have also testified that the coloring matter used 

 in its manufacture is the same that is used by the makers of butter all 

 over this countiy, and it is used by both for the same purpose. The 

 manufacturers of the article have testified under oath time and again 

 as to what ingredients go to make up the product until it has become 

 known to almost every intelligent man in this country. Its purity 

 and cleanliness are, I believe, unquestioned, even by its opponents, the 

 creamery butter manufacturers, and a committee of your own body, 

 the United States Senate Committee on Manufactures, of which the 

 Hon. W. E. Mason was chairman, after a most thorough investigation 

 of the subject, reported "that the product known as oleomargarine is 

 healthful and nutritious, and no further legislation is necessary," and 

 the great mass of testimony taken by that committee is available to 

 this committee. 



All of this being well known to your honorable body, or at least mat- 

 ters of public record, what can I add to the argument why this bill should 

 not become a law ? Possibly nothing but to add my vigorous protest in 

 the name of the stock raisers of the great West against the passage of 

 such selfish, unjust, and ultra class legislation. 



I admit that we of the West are hardly up with the times and are slow 

 to take hold of and adopt all the new-fangled notions that are so rapidly 

 brought forth in this age of progress, but having been taught from 

 our infancy to love our country and honor the Constitution, God for- 

 bid that we should ever cast aside the clause that kt gives equal rights 

 to all and special privileges to none" and take up with the spirit of 

 class legislation such as is attempted and exemplified in this bill. 



1 do not think there is any sane man who has given this bill any 

 serious consideration whatever but believes that this bill is aimed 

 at the life of the oleomargarine industry, to legislate it out of existence, 

 so as to give the butter makers (and by the butter makers I do not 

 mean to say the great mass of farmers and farmers' wives who make 

 butter, for they cut little figure in this matter) exclusive right to 

 produce an article of diet to be spread upon bread to make it more 

 palatable, to gain a monopoly on one of the most valued necessities of 

 life. It has been asserted by those that have investigated the subject 

 that in the average household butter comes second in the expense list 

 for provisions. 



It is larger than the outlay for bread or coffee or sugar, and is exceeded 

 only by the meat bills. One of the most serious problems before the 

 American people to-day is the one of trusts and monopolies. 



However much political economists and intelligent men may differ 

 on that great subject, most serious consideration should be given before 

 a way is prepared whereby such an important article, one that comes 

 into the daily life of the rich and poor alike, whether it be upon the 

 dainty rolls of the millionaire or the coarse but wholesome corn bread 

 of the laborer, can be made the subject of absolute control in the hands 

 of mercenary men. 



Legislate out of existence practically their only competitor, oleo- 

 margarine, and would not the creamery interests be able to control 

 the supply of butter in this country as it is now claimed they are able 

 to control the price of creamery butter ? 



A more thorough organization nor a more extensive one does not 



S. Rep. 2043 5 



