Oleomargarine and Butterine; A Plain Presentation of the Most Gigantic Swindle of Modern Times (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1886 Excerpt: ... justify prompt action. You may be assured, however, that this bill will meet with a tremendous lobby opposition, for the oleomargarine men are rich and determined, and have their agents not only in Washington, but at the capital of every State in the Union. I think, however, that the pressure of public opinion can overcome even this oiganized and desperate opposition, and that if this Congress does not act, the people will take care to elect another that will." State Dairy Commissioner Josiah K. Brown, when asked his opinion of Mr. Hopkins' bill, replied: "The title of this act is somewhat misleading, because the compound commonly known as oleomargarine is in no sense an adulterated butter. It is simply animal fat made to imitate butter, and contains only a small percentage of butter fat. "I am not prepared to express an opinion as to the provisions of the act, for I have merely glanced at it; but I will say that if the national Government decides to take action upon this question of the sale of sham butter, it would be wise to intrust the enforcement of the law to the Internal Revenue Department, which has the necessary machinery to undertake the work. It would be unwise, in my opinion, on the part of Congress to enact any law on this subject without careful consideration and exhaustive discussion. If I made any recommendation it would be that Congress pass a law compelling manufacturers, in case the bogus product is to be sold at all, to put before the people an article that could not by any possibility be mistaken for butter--an article that a child could recognize on sight and without explanation. It is a notorious fact that these manufacturers make and pack their product so as to imitate natural butter of all kinds, and the trade they are engaged in is...