308 OLEOMARGARINE. 



of our section, doubtless into the kettles of some soap works, which is 

 the sphere of its real fitness. 



In this age of progress let us not go backward, to say nothing of the 

 injustice it will work to our people. What moral right have these but- 

 ter people to ask you to pass a law that will compel those of us who 

 have only 10 or 15 cents to pay for a pound of some spread for our 

 bread, to either use white oleomargarine, ghastly in its unattractiveness, 

 or to go back to the rancid product they foisted on us in years gone by? 

 There is no interest save theirs which would have the sublime nerve to 

 ask such a thing, and none but theirs which would have influence 

 enough to half get it, as they have done. It is this sort of abuse of 

 legislative and governmental power that has always been a menace to 

 republics since republics were, and this sort of folly that has wrecked 

 and ruined them since history proves that they do not always last. 



I hope that this committee and the Senate will defeat this measure. 

 It would be a step in a dangerous direction. Many of our individual 

 States have already covered themselves with disrepute by passing 

 crushing and unjust laws, dictated by this coming butter trust, which 

 seeks to frighten and has frightened legislators by bawling u the 

 granger vote," even to the extent of overlooking the rights of the con- 

 sumer, and the fact that we are one people, and entitled to justice. 



The present United States oleomargarine law is unjust, as the 2 cents 

 per pound tax comes off those least able to bear it the poor. The 

 man who has but 10 or 15 cents to pay for a pound of oleomargarine 

 can ill afford to pay a tax on it of from 10 to 20 per cent; and since 

 that is the case, how can he afford to pay about 100 per cent, as pro- 

 posed by this bill, and at the same time have his poverty legislated 

 before his eyes and those of his family every time he sits down to a 

 meal? We of western Pennsylvania understand this, and oleo is as 

 firmly placed and as staple with us as sugar. To say that oleo could 

 be sold for butter, to any extent, seems to us preposterous. I am really 

 of the opinion that not one housewife in one hundred in our section 

 could be so misled. Even if such were the case the logical remedy is 

 simple. It is not found in this miscarriage of justice known as the 

 Grout bill, or in legislation off the usual lines, which is invariably pro- 

 posed by butter interests; but in the just and common-sense ideas 

 embodied in the Wadsworth bill, which was turned down by the 

 House, proving conclusively that what was sought was not to honestly 

 regulate the industry, but to destroy it. 



Now, Mr. Ob airman, the reason I am interested in this bill is because 

 I used to be in the grocery business, and I sold oleomargarine in large 

 quantities to our people. They knew that they were buying it when 

 they got it. It was cheaper, and as good in many instances as the 

 creamery butter that I used to sell and paid a high price for and had 

 to get a high price for from the consumer. I know that our people 

 would be placed at a great disadvantage if this measure were passed. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Let me ask you a question, Mr. Dolan. Do 

 you use the article yourself? 



Mr. DOLAN. Yes, sir ; every day. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. What objection have you to having it of a 

 color easily distinguishable from the yellow color of butter? What 

 objection would there be to that? 



Mr. DOLAN. Well, I will tell you. 



THE ACTING CHAIRMAN. In other words, do you eat it on account of 

 its taste and its nutritious character, or simply on account of its looks? 



Mr. DOLAN. I eat it because it is wholesome, and cheaper than the 

 other article for me to provide for my family. 



