286 DAIRY TECHNOLOGY 



Oleomargarine Law. — Congress passed a law which 

 became effective July i, 1902. The principal features of 

 this law are as follows: Tax on colored oleo is increased 

 from 2 to 10 cents per pound. Tax on uncolored oleo 

 is reduced from 2 to | cent a pound. Wholesale and re- 

 tail dealer's license for the sale of colored oleo was not 

 changed, but remained $480.00 and $48.00 per year re- 

 spectively. Wholesale dealer's license for the sale of un- 

 colored oleo was reduced from $480.00 to $200.00 per 

 year. Retail dealer's license for the sale of uncolored oleo 

 was reduced from $48.00 to $6.00 per year. A license 

 costing $480.00 entitled the holder to wholesell either 

 colored or uncolored or both ; and a license costing $48.00 

 entitled the holder to retail colored, or uncolored or both. 



Hotels, restaurants, boarding-houses, railroad contrac- 

 tors, and soldiers' homes, schools and other public institu- 

 tions are prohibited from buying the uncolored oleo and 

 coloring it. A family (not keeping boarders) is permitted 

 to buy the uncolored article and color it. 



Since the passage of this law, the manufacturers have 

 learned to use fats that will give their product a yellow 

 color without the addition of any artificial coloring matter. 

 This is done by using fat from pasture-fed animals and June 

 butter having a natural high color. 



However, many of the States have enacted laws pro- 

 hibiting the sale of yellow oleomargarine, regardless of 

 whether the color be artificial or natural. Another pro- 

 vision adopted by several States is that when a substitute 

 for butter is used for cooking or served as a food in hotels, 

 restaurants, etc., a placard shall be placed opposite each 

 table or counter, which placard shall have the words 

 " Substitute for butter used here " printed in large, legible 

 type. 



