OLEOMARGARINE. 



Mr. ALLEN. Since the sale of oleomargarine has increased has the 

 death rate of the city increased? 



Mr. KIMBALL. We do not know that there is anything unhealthful 

 in oleomargarine. 



The CHAIRMAN. You want it sold for what it is? 



Mr. KIMBALL. Yes, sir; we want it sold for oleomargarine. Under 

 the State law every pound bears the stamp tax. It is made by four or 

 five people, what we call the " Big Four. 77 This law will not work a 

 hardship. If they want it colored and want to sell it as butter, let 

 them pay the 10 cents tax, and then there will be no difference in the 

 price of the legitimate butter and the oleomargarine, and there will be 

 no incentive to cheat. 



MR. ALLEN. What is the effect on the consumer? 



Mr. KIMBALL. Anyone who wants cheap butter can get it for 5 to 6 

 cents a pound lower to-day. 



Mr. WILLIAMS. Why is it right, or is it right, in your opinion, to 

 tax oleomargarine in its natural condition, when not colored in the 

 semblance of anything? 



Mr. KIMBALL. Personally, I don't believe in taxes any more than 

 possible. I do not believe in taxing any industry. 



Mr. ALLEN. Can the manufacturer afford to pay 10 cents and pro- 

 duce it at a profit? 



Mr. KIMBALL. We do not want him to sell it as butter. 



Mr. ALLEN. Could he pay that tax and compete with butter? 



Mr. KIMBALL. With its natural color oleomargarine would not sell 

 at all, because people would not buy it. 



The CHAIRMAN. When butter is down to 14 cents and you tax oleo- 

 margarine 10 cents, that would only leave 4 cents for the manufacturer. 

 Would that not be absolutely prohibitory? 



Mr. KIMBALL. No, sir. The price of butter is very seldom 14 cents 

 in the country. 



The CHAIRMAN. I have sold for less. I have seen it in western New 

 York sold at 7 and 8 cents. In putting on this tax, it would take off 

 5 to 10 cents of its value. Suppose butter is selling at 14 cents a pound. 



Mr. KIMBALL. Butter is not in its natural state white. It is only so 

 in the winter months. 



The CHAIRMAN. I understand that the best butter served on Del- 

 monico's table is perfectly white. 



Mr. WILLIAMS. The toniest people use it. 



Mr. KIMBALL. The only coloring used in butter is for the purpose of 

 obtaining the yellow tint, which color comes from the fresh grass. 



The CHAIRMAN. That is the only time it is colored. We use color- 

 ing matter in our creameries. 



Mr. WHITE. Uncolored oleomargarine would sell the same as it does 

 now? 



Mr. KTMBALL. It would. 



Mr. WHITE. This resolution would not affect it unless it is colored? 



Mr. KIMBALL. No. 



Mr. HENRY. I have a letter from a butter dealer in western New 

 York, and he wants me to support the Grout bill, and adds that the 

 farmers are bringing this stuff in and selling it for butter. 



Mr. KIMBALL. That only goes to show how far this practice obtains. 

 The hucksters in Philadelphia are the worst men, and now the farmer 

 comes in with his good country butter, but it is oleomargarine. 



Mr. DAVIS. The matter we are here to present to the committee, as I 

 understand it, and as Mr. Kim ball has detailed it, is that the law 

 abiding dealer has always had to contend with those who are violating 



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