OLEOMABGAKINE. 275 



which is handed out in a passive way without its being indicated whether it is bat- 

 ter or oleomargarine. I do not think there is as much of that which is actuated by 

 gain as has been represented (p. 169). 



I will add my personal testimony to that later on. He also said 



(p. 170): 



There has never been any evasion of the law with respect to paying the tax on 

 oleomargarine, except in a very incidental and limited way. Neither the special 

 tax (although it is high), nor the 2-cent pound tax have ever been evaded. We 

 have no trouble in collecting them. 



And before leaving Cincinnati I asked the Hon. Bernard Bettinan, 

 collector of internal revenue there, if he cared to be quoted, or would 

 allow himself to be quoted, on that subject; and if so, what he had to 

 say. He said: " They give me no trouble at all." 



Then Commissioner Wilson goes on to speak as to the necessary 

 absolute purity of the article, because the materials must be used at 

 once, and he quotes from some one whom he considers good authority. 



Then Representative Allen asked him (p. 171): "Now, sir, have any 

 complaints been made to your Department of any deleterious or injuri- 

 ous effects caused by the consumption of this article?" To that ques- 

 tion Commissioner Wilson answered: "No, sir; no, sir. The only 

 complaint that has ever reached the office was a letter that Mr.Tawney 

 published here, in the Star, I think at least, it was the same letter 

 that he read to me. I took a copy of it and sent it to the agent in 

 charge of the territory where most of these oils re produced, and had 

 a very complete and thorough investigation made, and have here a copy 

 of his report. 



Representative ALLEN. That is a copy of the report ? 



Commissioner WILSON. A copy of the report of the agent; yes, sir. He does 

 not find any ground whatever for the charge made in that letter. He says it is false 

 and utterly unworthy of belief; and he shows pretty conclusively, I think, that his 

 statements are true. And without his knowing anything about the doctrine laid 

 down here, in this investigation to which I have referred, he brings out in this same 

 report the fact that the same condition of things exists. 



There is an extensive report. I wish you would read it. 



Senator DOLLIVER. Is that the report of the House committee? 



Mr. SCHELL. Yes; it is in the report of the House committee. 



Senator HEITFELD. Just give us a reference to the page. 



Mr. SCHELL. It is on page 171. I am not going to read the report, 

 but I am going to call attention to one part of it, to use later on. This 

 man was unable to locate the writer of the letter. It seems that they, 

 like some of the food commissioners, pay attention to every letter that 

 they receive, anonymous or otherwise, and they act upon them. But 

 the report further says (p. 175) : 



However, it is the general impression among nearly all of the packers, as well as 

 the oleomargarine manufacturers, that the author of the published letter is Charles Y. 

 Knight, manager Chicago Dairy Produce, a publication published in the interest of 

 dairy products, 188 South Water street, Chicago. 



(Mr. Knight arose. } 



Mr. SCHELL. You will have your turn later on. 



Mr. KNIGHT. I insist, Mr. Chairman 



Mr. SCHELL. 1 am keeping within the record. 



Mr. KNIGHT. I insist that if my name is mentioned I should have a 

 right here to enter the record and make a protest. 



Mr. SCHELL. No; your side lias reserved the right to close. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Are you the man referred to? 



Mr. KNIGHT. I am the man whom he accuses. I can bring a man 

 within fifteen minutes who knows the writer of that letter personally, 



