336 OLEOMARGARINE. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Without any prejudice on the part of the 

 poor people? 



Mr. PERSON. Oh, there is some prejudice as to that, because that is 

 a very high color. 



Mr. JELKE. I have seen that color of oleomargarine and butter both 

 sold in St. Louis. 



Mr PERSON. But I do not think the majority of people would care 

 to have it as highly colored as that. 



Mr. JELKE. Of course that is not a reasonable color. 



Mr. PERSON. No; that is what we would call a highly colored butter. 



Mr. JELKE. Those are only a few shades, practically. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Will you point out the color there which is 

 salable in New Jersey 1 



Mr. PERSON. That [indicating sample] is about it, is it not, Mr. 

 Jelke? 



Mr. JELKE. I think that would be nearer [indicating another sample]. 



Mr. PERSON. We have a very light yellow there. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. What I want to get at is this: Your law 

 there seems to prohibit the sale of oleomargarine if it is artificially 

 colored in imitation of pure yellow butter. That seems to be prohibited. 



Mr. PERSON. The trade in our State is in the highest quality of goods. 

 We require the highest quality. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. But I want to know what decision your 

 courts have made which enables you to sell oleomargarine in New 

 Jersey. 



Mr. PERSON. We are permitted to sell it where the State can not 

 prove, by analysis, that the goods carry an artificial color. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. But you do not color the goods'? 



Mr. PERSON. We have them made for us. 



Mr. ADAMS. Mr. Chairman, I have a reference to that decision, if the 

 gentleman will permit me to give it. 



Mr. PERSON. Not until I am through, if you please. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. I would like to see it. 



Mr. PERSON. I am perfectly willing that you should show it to the 

 Senator. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. You can proceed, sir. 



Mr. PERSON (continuing his remarks). I have here 14 different 

 standard shades of yellow (and there are still others) which you can 

 find reproduced in the butter of commerce; but let me say, in justice to 

 the would-be monopolists of the national color of China, that the darker 

 shades are used by those who export butter to the French and other 

 islands near our new possessions. It is singular, yet true, that differ- 

 ent localities in the same State often call for lighter or darker shades 

 in their butter; and while nature often responds to new aud peculiar 

 demands of humanity, she has not yet produced the cow that will give 

 14 shades or more of yellow butter that are required to meet the 

 demand. If, therefore, the Grout bill becomes a law the creamery men 

 of the West will have the privilege of using auy number of so-termed 

 yellow colors, while the maker or seller of the substitute will be limited 

 to a solitary, separate, and painfully distinctive white, which only the 

 sense of taste will enable a consumer to detect from lard. 



It is constantly asserted and reiterated by those behind this bill that 

 it is in the interest of and primarily for the benefit of the "poor farmer," 

 which, I take it, eliminates the rich farmer from any interest or con- 

 cern in its outcome. If so, I oppose this bill as a fanner myself, owning 

 a few acres in New Jersey, whereon I assure you I can beat all my 



