312 OLEOMARGARINE. 



statute was more commendable than the new one is, as there could be 

 no mistaking its frank intent; but the second, despite its pretensions, 

 would be as effective an exclusion as the first, were it possible to carry 

 out its provisions, which are so unpopular in some places that a jury 

 can not be secured to convict anyone under it. 



To affirmatively recommend and pass this bill would be a crying 

 injustice to the workingman in my section, and to consumers every- 

 where. Oleomargarine, under its own name, should have the same 

 freedom in our markets as any other article of commerce; and if legis- 

 lative bodies will ignore the greed of the self-seeking butter interests, 

 and pass stringent laws regulating its sale for what it is, and not 

 hampering or prohibiting its manufacture (as has been the sole intent 

 of every law ever proposed), then all this fuss and feathers will cease. 



Now, Mr. Chairman, there are a good many of our people who make 

 pretty good wages, and of course they can buy butter ; but the majority 

 of them make small wages now, especially since we got into this trust 

 business. I know there are lots of men who do not like to buy this 

 white oleomargarine, because it looks more like lard than anything else. 

 It does not look like butter at all. Why should they be made to pay 

 10 cents a pound more because they get butter that resembles country 

 butter, and looks a little better on the table? That is why 1 am here 

 to -oppose the passage of this bill. It is for our people alone, for of 

 course I do not know much about the butter business myself. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. It is a question of family pride, you think? 



Mr. PIERCE. I think it is, yes; for I tell you, I would not like to eat 

 it white. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. You think that if a person goes into a store 

 to buy this article, he does not like to be heard calling for oleomarga- 

 rine 1 ? 



Mr. PIERCE. That is right. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Therefore he calls for butter? 



Mr. PIERCE. He calls for butter; but the merchant understands that 

 he wants oleomargarine. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. But how does the merchant get the idea 

 that he really wants oleomargarine? 



Mr. PIERCE. Well, I will tell you. In the case of families dealing 

 at certain stores, the man who runs the store generally knows what 

 they want. They will come in, or they will send the child in, nnd say, 

 " I want three pounds of butter." The dealer knows exactly what they 

 want; but they will say " butter," of course. He knows that they buy 

 oleomargarine all the time, however. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. That is, he knows he sells them oleomar- 

 garine? 



Mr. PIERCE. Yes; and they will come in and ask for it in that way, 

 even if there is nobody in the store. If I were sent on an errand of 

 that kind, I would not care about going up and asking for oleomar- 

 garine. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Why not? Let me understand that. Is it 

 regarded as a disreputable thing to have it on your table? 



Mr. PIERCE. Oh, well, every man does not like to expose his poverty. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. I know; but it is not exposing his poverty 

 if the article is nearly as good as butter, and very much cheaper. You 

 can, almost any day, see a bargain counter crowded with the best 

 women in the community, who are trying to get a cent reduction on 

 the price of a thing they want. 



Mr. SCHELL. That is the fashion. 



