ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



169 



be started by the farmers in this country, and they have raised for the 

 purpose about 110,000.00 in sums of fifty cents and $1.00 each, thereby 

 enlisting the sympathy and aid and co-operation of the farmers of the 

 great northwest country. 



The agitation has been sufficiently developed that there has been 

 three separate and distinct bills introduced into congress this year to 

 accomplish this purpose. The Tawney bill of Minnesota, the Davidson 

 bill from Wisconsin, and one by Grout of Vermont, and I am given to 

 understand that at a recent conference of those interested in leading 

 ihis fight, it has been decided to push the passage of the Grout bill. 



The Grout bill may be divided into three parts. The first imposes a 

 tax of ten cents per pound upon all oleomargarine colored in semblance 

 of butter. The second imposes a tax of H cent per pound upon all oleo- 

 margarine made in any other manner. The third provides that oleo- 

 margarine when it lands in a State shall come under the laws of that 

 State, notwithstanding the fact that it is in the original package. We 

 feel that this law will not only accomplish the purpose of imposing a ten- 

 cent tax on the colored oleomargarine, that made in the semblance of 

 "butter, but it affords legislation against oleomargarine not made in sem- 

 iblance of butter. 



Thirty-three States have already laws prohibiting the manufacture 

 and sale of oleomargarine when colored in the semblance of butter. The 

 third part of the Grout bill puts oleomargarine under these laws, so 

 that in thirty-three States it will be impossible to sell colored oleomar- 

 garine even if the ten-cent tax is paid. 



We think this law, if we can succeed in obtaining its passage, 

 they will effectually check the sale of oleomargarine for pure butter. 



Day before yesterday Mr. Tawney of Minnesota introduced a resolu- 

 tion in the house, setting forth the fact that there was good grounds to 

 l3elieve that there were large qua ntities of oleomargarine being sold in 

 this country for pure butter; setting forth the fact that notwithstand- 

 ing the laws in the thirty-three states absolutely prohibiting the sale of 

 •colored oleomargarine, the prod-iction of colored oleomargarine had in- 



