380 OLEOMAKGAK1NE. 



Now, as has been said here before, the only tiling that we as pro- 

 ducers of butter hope to do and want to do is to have a law, which shall 

 be operative throughout the whole country, which shall allow us to sell 

 our butter as such, and prohibit anybody from selling something else 

 as butter. 



Now, the only thing that these gentlemen are con tending for is the color. 

 Why are they contending for it? Simply because they know that that 

 is the only method whereby they may be able to put their product on 

 the market as butter. If there is an element in this country who want 

 to use oleomargarine and I am satisfied that there is; I am not sure 

 that I would not use it if I were in the position of some men if they 

 want to use it as such, we have no objection to their being allowed to 

 do it. If they are satisfied that it is a wholesome, healthful product, 

 let them use it as such. But let us protect those who do not want to 

 use it, either as such or as butter. 



Now, I get around this country quite a good deal not so much as 

 some men, but still considerably and the question that is asked me is 

 this : u How are you able to detect oleomargarine that is not marked F 



In our section of the country there are very few people who want to 

 use oleomargarine. They want to use butter. And we hope, in the 

 interest of our trade in our own State, in all the States adjoining it, and 

 in all the States of this country, and in fact of the whole world, that 

 nobody will be allowed to foist off on the credulous public a product 

 which, while it may be pure and wholesome, imitates and is sold for 

 our product. 



Mr. Chairman, that is all I have to say on this subject. 



Mr. TILLINGHAST. Will the gentleman permit a question! 



Mr. ROYCE. Ask all the questions you wish. 



Mr. TILLINGHAST. I would like to have you explain to the com- 

 mittee, if you can, how this bill would in any sense protect you from 

 competition with butter at 50 cents per pound? 



Mr. ROYCE. Simply in this way, sir: I sell you butter at 50 cents a 

 pound; the next man to you buys creamery butter at 30 cents a pound; 

 the next man buys creamery butter at 25 cents a pound, and the next 

 man buys oleomargarine at 15 cents a pound. Now, if I move away 

 the man who is buying oleomargarine that is, buying it for butter, I 

 mean 



Mr. JELKE. He buys it at 15 cents a pound, you say? 



Mr. ROYOE. Supposing that he does. If I remove him, then the 

 man who will conusme my butter is one nearer me, isn't he. Is not that 

 logical 1 



Mr. TILLINGHAST. But how could you remove that man when there 

 is a temptation of his getting 50 cents a pound for his product by pay- 

 ing a 10-cent tax on it? In other words, have you any other protection 

 under this bill than your own State laws? 



Mr. ROYCE. But we need a law which operates in other States as our 

 law operates in our State. 



Mr. TILLINGUAST. But this law can not operate in other States as 

 your law does. You understand that, do you not? 



Mr. ROYCE. I think it will have that effect, simply because people 

 will not use the stuff it' it is sold as such. 



Mr. TILLINGHAST. But this law does not have anything to do with 

 that. This law permits you to sell colored oleomargarine just the same 

 as before. 



Mr. ROYCE. Most assuredly. I agree to that, sir. I want to say that 

 it is my honest conviction that it interferes with us only inasmuch as it 

 is sold for what it is not for our product. 



