OLEOMARGARINE. 285 



, Mr. Knight says (p. 11) : 



We have not appealed to Congress for aid along the line of discouraging the sale 

 of oleomargarine made in semblance of butter until the matter of accomplishing the 

 same result through State legislation has been thoroughly tested and proven a fail- 

 ure. And this fact we believe to be our strongest argument in favor of Congressional 

 action. 



If that is the strongest argument they have, it is entitled to a little 

 attention. They began fourteen years ago. According to the synopsis 

 of the State laws, the majority, almost all, of the color laws have been 

 in existence only since 1896. Some of them date back to as early as 

 1888 and 1889, but the majority of them were passed about five years 

 ago. I would like to comment further on this point, but the mere men- 

 tion of the facts is sufficient. 



Mr. Knight further states: " As far back as 1886, when this matter 

 first came before Congress, the States had learned of the impossibility 

 ol controlling this traffic through State laws." Fifteen years 7 experi- 

 ence, and the testimony here, prove that the traffic can be controlled by 

 State laws; and I will further testify on that subject myself, from my 

 personal experience. 



Mr. Knight says (p. 18) : 



For a few years these laws forbidding the coloring of oleomargarine in semblance 

 of butter were effective. 



I do not know just what he refers to, but if they can be enforced part 

 of the time, they can be enforced all the time. I do not suppose, how- 

 ever, that he meant the present laws, because they could not be referred 

 to in those terms. They are too recent. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Let me ask you about these State laws. 

 Is there a State law in Ohio against coloring oleomargarine to corre- 

 spond with the color of butter? 



Mr. SCHELL. Yes, Mr. Chairman ; and if you will permit me, I want 

 to take up that matter presently in detail. I am trying to pass these 

 matters as rapidly as possible. I have a copy of the laws here, and I 

 want to submit them They are model laws, except that they are par- 

 tial to the farmer, and except the color part. Of course we object to 

 the color clause. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Is the sale of colored oleomargarine pro- 

 hibited in the State of Ohio! 



Mr. SCHELL. It is prohibited in the State of Ohio, absolutely. Both 

 manufacture and sale. 



The AOTiNGr CHAIRMAN. What effect on the traffic in the local 

 market has that had, as far as your Cincinnati factories are concerned? 



Mr. SCHELL. The effect has been - 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. I want to ascertain how far this abolition 

 of the yellow-oleomargarine color would tend to wipe out the industry. 



Mr. SCHELL. I do not know that I can give you the statistics on that 

 point; but I will tell you presently just the effect it has had in Cincin- 

 nati, the fights that have been made, and the effects or results. 



Mr. Knight then goes on (p. 19) : 



The ordinary State's attorney can not cope with these experienced practitioners 

 upon this subject, as a rule; and never is money spared to make the prosecution as 

 expensive to the State and as disagreeable to those connected therewith as possible. 

 * * * Upon the other hand, every time an arrest is made, the fight is taken up by 

 the entire oleomargarine industry, with its millions of money and enormous influ- 

 ence among a certain class of politicians, who at times manage to reach the sacred 

 ear of the judge who presides in the case. 



