742 OLEOMARGARINE. 



We hope these brief statements will convince you that the l>ill in question is 

 purely "class legislation," which is always vicious in tendency and contrary to the 

 principles of a republican form of government, which seeks "the greatest good to 

 the greatest number." 



I have here a few letters which I have obtained very easily, and very 

 quickly. I would like to read them. They come from the farmers and 

 producers of stock throughout the State. Here is a letter signed by 

 S. S. Hadley, of Cedar Rapids, Nebr. : 



To NEBRASKA DELEGATION IN CONGRESS: 



Congress is now considering a measure contemplating the taxing of oleo oils- 

 oleomargarine and butterine 10 cents per pound. 



As these products are manufactured from the oils extracted from the fats of cattle, 

 hogs, and sheep, the animal of right should be and is worth from $1 to $3 per head 

 more, where the product can be manufactured into a valuable article, than when 

 used as ordinary tallow and lard. 



I believe the passage of such a measure would be legislating in the interest of a 

 very small minority and not in the interest of the masses. 



Oleomargarine or butterine, being absolutely pure and wholesome and furnished 

 the consumer at about half price of creamery butter, is a very desirable commodity 

 for the laboring classes, and in fact all people of frugal habits and moderate means; 

 and the tax practically prohibits its manufacture. 



I am engaged in producing, shipping, buying, and selling meat and fat producing 

 animals and am interested as much and more than the dairyman can possibly be in 

 the product of the dairy. 



I therefore desire to enter my earnest protest against the passage of any such 

 measure, and ask your earnest cooperation in defeating House bill No. 6. 



S. S. HADLEY, 



Cedar Rapids, Nebr. 



Here is one signed by B. J, Tierney, of Ansley, Nebr., which reads 

 as follows: 



ANSLEY, NEBR., April IS, 1900. 

 J. A. HAKE, Esq., 



South Omaha, Nebr. 



DEAR SIR: I understand that a committee from the South Omaha Exchange will 

 visit Washington, D. C., in the near future for the purpose of discouraging the 

 passage of House bill No. 6, regarding the manufacturing of butterine and oleomar 

 garines, and I trust you may be successful, for in my opinion the passage of such a 

 bill would be against the interests and highly detrimental to farmers and all grow- 

 ers of stock, inasmuch as the effect would be to limit the use of all animal fats and 

 oils. 



This section is practically an agricultural and farming region, bnt I am shipping 

 from Ansley annually about 1,000 head of cattle and from nine to ten thousand 

 head of hogs, and I estimate that if the proposed bill should become a law it would 

 diminish the aggregate value of the stock shipped from this place alone from $4,000 

 to $6,000, all of which must of necessity fall on the grower. 



Sincerely believing that the best interests of the small farmer and stock growers 

 will be promoted by the defeat of the proposed measure, I am, 

 Yours, truly, 



B. J. TIERNEY. 



Here is one, dated Lewellen, Nebr., April 10. That is in your dis- 

 trict, Mr. Neville? 



Mr. NEVILLE. Yes, sir. That is from Mr. Delatour, isn't it? 

 Mr. HAKE. Yes, sir. Mr. Delatour's letter reads as follows : 



LEWELLEN, NEBR., April 10, 1900. 

 J. A. HAKE, Esq., 



President South Omaha Live Stock Exchange. 



DEAR SIR: I trust the South Omaha Livestock Exchange will take an active part 

 in trying to defeat House bill No. 6, which contemplates a tax of 10 cents a, pound on 

 manufactured butter, butterine, or oleomargarine. The increase of the tax will pro- 

 hibit the manufacturing and sale of said articles. The enactment of this law will 

 reduce the value of our stock from $1 to $2 per head. The law as itnow stands seem* 

 to be liberal to the dairy interest and it should not clamour for any more legislation, 

 and especially for legislation that will result in great damage and loss to another 

 legitimate industry. 



Very respectfully, yours, 8. P. DKLATOUB. 



(*160) . 



