OLEOMABGABINE, 



807 



Representative HAIJGEN. We will come to that later, but I wish to 

 make this point clear. 



Mr. LAVERY. It would be much less than $2 on that basis. 



Representative HAUGKN. Are my statements correct, then? 



Mr. LA VERY, it is simply a question of figures. 1 have not figured 

 it out. 



Representative HAUGKN. It is necessary to use figures to arrive at 

 the result. 



Mr. LAVKRY. That is simply a question of figures. 



Representative STOKKS. Is it possible, Mr. Lavery, for you to have 

 one set of prices for home consumption, and another set of export 

 prices? Is that possible under any conditions in our commercial 

 arrangements 1 



Mr. LAVKRY. Do you refer to oleo oil? 



Representative STOKES. I refer to any commodity that is exported. 



Mr. LAVKRY. No, sir; the prices are usually the same. 



Representative STOKES. The same? 



Mr. LAVERY. Yes; sir. 



K'epresentativc STOKKS. Undoubtedly. 



Mr. LAVKRY. We base our market price of oleo oil, for both foreigD 

 and domestic use, on exactly the same conditions. 



Representative HAUOKN. Now, you state that this bill will affect 

 the price of the oil which you export. Let me ask you this question : 

 Did it affect the x>rice of oleomargarine when the present law, provid- 

 ing for the 2 cent tax, was enacted? I believe you stated a moment 

 ago that the trade had increased. 



Mr. LAVKRY. Why, no, sir. While I think the 2-cents per pound 

 tax is unjust, it is within reason; and we can pay that tax and still do 

 business. 



Representative HAUGKN. You claim that the 10-cent tax would 

 practically kill your industry? 



Mr. LAVKRY. I certainly do; yes, sir. 



Representative liAUGEN. What is oleomargarine worth to-day, 

 uncolored? What is the average, price for the year? 



Mr. LAVKRY. The average price to day is, say, 11 to 14 cents, whole- 

 sale. 



Representative HAUGEN. The uncolored oleomargarine? 



Mr. LAVERY. The uncolored oleomargarine; yes, sir. There is 110 

 difference between the cost of the colored and the uncolored product. 



Representative HAUGEN. What is the average price of butter the 

 year round? 



Mr. LAVERY. The Elgin market this week is, I think, 18 or 19 cents 

 possibly 10. 



Representative HAUGEN. You sell the uncolored oleomargarine now 

 for how much, you say? 



Mr. LAVERY. We make no difference in the price of colored and 

 uncolored oleomargarine. 



Representative HAUGEN. It is about 11 cents, you say? 



Mr. LAVERY. That is the wholesale, price; yes, sir. The price ranges 

 from 11 to 14 cents. You understand that we, make two or three differ- 

 ent grades of oleomargarine. 



Representative HAIH;KN. At this time of the year butter is much 

 lower than at other seasons, is it not? 



Mr. LAVERY. Yes, sir. 



Representative HAUGEN. The price of butter, on an average, is 22 to 

 24 cents, is it not? 



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