OLEOMARGARINE. 753 



law, in 1887 or 1888, a general examination was made over the whole 

 country with respect to that condition of things; and the report was 

 universal that the statement which I have just read was found to be 

 true for the whole sixty-three collection districts of the country. From 

 that time until to-day no further general examination has been made. 

 Desultory investigations have been made of certain oil that has been 

 brought in. Some manufacturer would wander off the track, and use a 

 name which was a little strange; and that would excite some curiosity 

 to know what it was; but it would turn out to be the same flower with 

 a different name. But in order to be reasonably certain about that 

 matter, Congress has provided the Internal Eevenue Bureau with a 

 laboratory and a competent chemist, and with money with which to 



Purchase the current literature of the day upon these questions. And 

 have asked our chemist if in this hiatus of time from 1887 or 1888, 

 when this last general investigation was made, up to date science 

 has made any advance which would change the condition of things 

 described by Professor Morton; and my advice is that if it has our 

 scientist does not know it, and it has not been written in the books. 



Kepresentative ALLEN. Now, sir, have any complaints been made to 

 your department of any deleterious or injurious effect caused by the 

 consumption of this article? 



Commissioner WILSON. No, sir; no, sir. The only complaint that 

 has ever reached the office was a letter which Mr. Tawney published 

 here, in the Star, I think at least, it was the same letter that he read 

 to me. I took a copy of it and sent it to the agent in charge of the terri- 

 tory where most of these oils are produced, and had a very complete and 

 thorough investigation made, and have here a copy of his report. 



Eepresentative ALLEN. That is a copy of the report? 



Commissioner WILSON. A copy of the report of the agent yes, sir. 

 He does not find any ground whatever for the charge made in that letter. 

 He says it is false and utterly unworthy of belief; and he shows pretty 

 conclusively, I think, that his statements are true. And without his 

 knowing anything about the doctrine laid down here, in this investi- 

 gation to which I have referred, he brings out in this same report the 

 fact that the same condition of things exists. 



Eepresentative ALLEN. Will you file that report with your evidence, 

 as an exhibit! 



Commissioner WILSON. Yes. 



(The report referred to above is as follows:) 



INTERNAL-REVENUE SERVICE, OFFICE or AGENT, 



Chicago, III., May * t 1900. 

 Hon. G. W. WILSON, 



Commissioner Internal Eevenue, Washington, D. 0. 



SIR : In accordance with instructions contained in your letter of the 24th ultimo, 

 in which you inclose copy of a published letter describing the character of material 

 used by some of the oleomargarine manufacturers in Chicago, directing me to make 

 a most thorough search and investigation of the charges contained in the published 

 letter, being careful to eliminate every doubt that might be involved in the matter 

 before making my report, I now have the honor to report as follows: 



On the 30th ultimo I, in company with Revenue Agent II. B. Burgh and Special 

 Employees O. S. Martin and J. O. Anderson, proceeded to the Chicago Union Stock 

 Yards, where we visited the following establishments, which are either engaged in 

 the business of manufacturing oleomargarine or are producers of either oleo oil or 

 neutral oil. Revenue Agent Burgh visited the place of business of Armour & Co., 

 Thomas J. Lipton Company, and Boyd, Lunham & Co. ; Special Employees Martin and 

 Anderson visited the place of business of Swift & Co. and Nelson Morris & Co., 

 while 1 visited the place of business of Friedman & Co., Anglo-American Provision 

 Company, and the International Packing Company. 



It was understood by all of the visiting revenue officers that in pursuing their inves- 

 tigations at the several establishments particular attention should be given to the 



*S. Rep. 2043 48 (*171) 



