OLEOMAEGAEINE. 505 



desire to impress upon you, gentlemen, that some of the organizations 

 included in that number, even though Mr. Knight be correct in his esti- 

 mate, represent in turn hundreds of subordinate organizations affiliated 

 with them, the membership of which will go into the hundreds of thou 

 sands. They are what is known in the labor world as central bodies, 

 and although it has been now some months since these resolutions were 

 adopted by them, and although the delegates of which they are com 

 posed have reported back to their various suborganizations, the fact 

 that those resolutions were adopted, we have yet to hear the first pro- 

 test against or objection to such adoption of such resolutions on the 

 part of any of the hundreds of local or subordinate organizations which 

 constitute such central bodies. What, I ask you, could be more evi- 

 dential of complete acquiescence? 



Regarding the statement the gentleman makes relative to the Chi- 

 cago Federation of Labor having in 1897 adopted certain resolutions 

 condemning the coloring of oleomargarine, I desire to say that Mr. 

 Knight has acknowledged that such action was taken as a result of 

 his representations to two members of the legislative committee of 

 that body, who in turn conveyed to their fellow-members the informa- 

 tion imparted by himself. This is by his own acknowledgment the 

 only enlightenment those gentlemen had on the subject. It is evident 

 from the resolution adopted by the same body on March 1, 1900, more 

 than three years later, and which I herewith submit, that as a result 

 of full and complete investigation they have discovered that the rep- 

 resentations of Mr. Knight were incorrect, and have not only rescinded 

 their former action, but in the most vigorous terms, and speaking out 

 boldly and clearly for all they represent (and that means thousands 

 and thousands of workingmen workingmen who by their affiliation 

 with organizations instituted for the protection of their rights and 

 interests have demonstrated their possession of a high standard ot 

 intelligence and the fact that they are fully alive to a rigid observance 

 of nature's first law that of self preservation) protest in the most 

 vigorous terms against the legislative persecution and destruction of 

 the legitimate industry, manufacturing butterine. 



The following is a copy of those resolutions : 



CHICAGO, March 21. 1900. 

 Hon. WILLIAM MCALEER. 



DEAR SIR: The following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the Chicago 

 Federation of Labor at regular meeting, Sunday, February 4, and I was instructed 

 to forward a copy of same to you : 



Whereas the Chicago Federation of Labor is deeply interested in and desires to 

 encourage every legitimate industry which furnishes employment to the laboring 

 classes; and 



Whereas efforts are being attempted by contemplated legislation at Washington 

 to destroy the manufacture and sale of butterine, thereby displacing large numbers 

 of the industrial element and preventing them from gaining a livelihood as well as 

 the use of an article of food which has received the highest testimonials of every 

 chemist in this country and the indorsement of every standard work that treats on 

 the subject of hygiene; and 



Whereas we believe the efforts to place a tax of 10 cents per pound on colored 

 butterine is inspired by selfish motives, so that the manufacturers of butter may 

 charge an Tinreasonable price for their commodity and enable the large creameries 

 to establish surely and securely a butter trust which may raise prices as their 

 cupidity may dictate; and 



Whereas justice demands equal rights for both manufacturers of butter and but- 

 terine, both products having equal merit; any adverse legislation against either 

 must be condemned ; and 



Whereas the late published reports furnished to Congress by the Secretary of the 

 Treasury proves the legitimate and growing demand for butterine and discloses the 

 large amount of revenue derived therefrom; and 



