OLEOMARGARINE 475 



Here is one that covers the ground pretty well, I think, from T. L. 

 Brundage, of Cincinnati : 



[T. L. Brundage. Established 1893. Commission merchant. Butter and eggs. 28 West Court street, 



Cincinnati.] 



CINCINNATI, OHIO, January 7. 1900. 

 CHAS. Y. KNIGHT, ESQ., 



National Hotel, Washington, D. C. 



DEAR SIR : We replied promptly to yonr wire of to-day, regarding statement made, 

 by Cincinnati oleomargarine man before the Senate committee having charge of tho 

 Grout bill. In so far as that statement refers to the retail trade of Cincinnati, it is 

 absolutely false.. Of course the wholesaler, in selling to the retailer, sells oleomar- 

 garine for what it is; he could not do otherwise. The retailer sells 90 per cent of 

 what he buys for butter, and gets butter prices for it. More than 100 retail grocery 

 stores in Cincinnati are to-day advertising the best Elgin Creamery at retail for 25 

 cents, while it is worth 25^ cents in a jobbing way. The only opportunity, in such 

 transactions, for profit, is to substitute oleomargarine for butter, which is being 

 done to a very great extent. The present law compels the small grocer, if he handles 

 oleomargarine, to become a criminal. I have had a great many of them tell me that 

 they wished the stuff was done away with entirely, or some such restrictions placed 

 on its sale that deception would be impossible. The small grocer would then be in 

 a position to sell his butter for what it is and not be compelled to meet the ruinous 

 competition of the larger dealers who use butter only as a "stool pigeon" in their 

 business. While the Grout bill, as a law, would unquestionably benefit the dairy 

 interests, it would, at the same time be a great help to the small retailers all over 

 the country, for the reason that it would destroy the opportunity for fraud and 

 place them on the same footing as their competitors in business who are unscru- 

 pulous in their methods. Summed up briefly: The oleomargarine traffic in this 

 State is wholly illegal, and the only parties who realize any benefit therefrom are 

 the manufacturers, jobbers, and the unscrupulous retailer who sells it for butter. 

 Very nearly 2,000,000 pounds were sold in this city during the year 1900. 

 I am, yours, truly, 



T. L. BRUNDAGE, 

 E. I. BURRIDGE, 



Manager. 

 The rest of them are as follows : 



[Office of Conrad Giebel & Co., wholesale dealers in high-grade butter, cheese, and provisions, com- 

 mission merchants, 57 Walnut street.] 



CINCINNATI, January 7, 1901. 

 Mr. CHARLES Y. KNIGHT, Washington, D. C. 



DEAR SIR : In regard to the sale of oleomargarine for pure butter, we know to be a 

 fact, especially in the retail trade, which is very injurious to the sale of pure cream- 

 ery butter. Hoping that you will put forth your best efforts in the passing of the 

 Grout bill, we remain, 

 Yours, very truly, 



CONRAD GIEBEL & Co. 



[S. J. Stevens & Co., wholesale butter and cheese, Cincinnati, Ohio.] 



JANUARY 7, 1901. 

 Mr. CHARLES Y. KNIGHT, Washington, D. C. 



DEAR SIR : As the representative of the Chicago pure butter men, we write to you 

 to use your utmost endeavors in meeting and refuting the arguments of those 

 opposed to the passage of H. R. bill 3717, known as the " Grout bill," who say the 

 manufacturers and wholesalers of butterine never sell it for pure butter. We are 

 aware of this fact, as is everybody, because they dare not do it. It is the retailers 

 who offer it to the unsuspecting public as the genuine butter, and this without any 

 interference. We know this to be a fact from transactions of this nature in Cincin- 

 nati. 



Use all the arguments you can to promote the passage of the bill at an early date, 

 and that without amendment of any kind, as amendment would only delay the pas- 

 sage of the bill and probably kill it. 



Yours, very truly, S. J. STEVENS & Co. 



