OLEOMARGARINE. 565 



Secretary GAGE. No ; I do not think so. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. So that you have no means of knowing 

 exactly what constitutes oleomargarine? 



Secretary GAGE. Except by inspecting the processes and methods 

 of the manufacturers. 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. And the product itself, I presume? 



Secretary GAGE. And they make a general examination of the product 

 itself. 



Senator ALLEN. I suppose the processes of manufacture are as dif- 

 ferent as the shades of color, are they not? 



Secretary GAGE. I do not exactly know how many methods of com- 

 pounding the manufacturers have. I think, however, that they follow 

 pretty closely the same general line. 



Senator DOLLIVER. Mr. Secretary, have you a sufficient revenue force 

 to look after the observance of that portion of the oleomargarine law 

 which relates to the putting up of the packages and the quantities in 

 which it may be sold under these licenses? 



Secretary GAGE. Well, 1 think, perhaps, we have not. No; I do not 

 think we have. 



Senator DOLLIVER. We had here the other day packages of oleomar- 

 garine said to have been bought in retail stores in Chicago, in which 

 the mark, the name required by law to be affixed, was turned under in 

 such a way as not to be noticeable. 



Secretary GAGE. Yes. 



Senator DOLLIVER., Then there were other packages on which the 

 mark was placed in such an obscure way that it would require a person 

 of good eyesight, in some instances, to notice it. The packages were 

 very faintly marked. We also had statements in regard to quantities 

 being bought above the amount permitted by the law to be sold by the 

 retailer, and the general impression was left on the minds of the com- 

 mittee that your revenue collectors were somewhat indifferent, at least 

 in some cities, after they had collected their tax. The impression was 

 also left that they were without adequate force to give attention to all 

 these details. 



Secretary GAGE. There is no doubt that the Department has its main 

 eye to the revenue, for that is really its business. It is not clothed, 

 except indirectly, with what you may call police power. Besides, there 

 are places where the force would be entirely inadequate. Take the city 

 of Chicago, for instance. 1 think there are 4,000 retail dealers there, 

 and it is impossible with a dozen men to keep a close watch over 4,000 

 dealers scattered over 20 square miles. But when we do find them 

 infringing the law, we make it troublesome for them. 



Mr. SPRINGER. Mr. Chairman, may I submit a question to the Sec- 

 retary ? 



The ACTING CHAIRMAN. Yes, sir; if it is agreeable to him. 



Secretary GAGE. Certainly. 



Mr. SPRINGER. The difficulties which have been called to the atten- 

 tion of the committee in regard to the selling of oleomargarine or but- 

 terine seem to relate to the fact that the retail dealer may break the 

 original package and deal it out in smaller quantities to suit the desires 

 of the purchaser; and in so doing he can sell oleomargarine or butter- 

 ine to a consumer who presumes that he is buying butter. 



Now, I desire to ask you whether it would be possible to make such 

 rules and regulations (if the law so authorized) requiring the selling of 

 oleomargarine to the consumer by the agent of the manufacturer or the 

 retail dealer in the original package, without breaking even the stamp 

 itself around the original package, that the selling of oleomargarine for 



