Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1902 — OLEO BILL IS DRASTIC. [ARTICLE]

OLEO BILL IS DRASTIC.

Imposes Stringent Regulations on tha Sale of Batter Substitutes. The National House passed the oleomargarine bill without division on the final passage, the real test of strength having been made on a motion to recommit, which was defeated by k majority of thirty-four. The provision to require the inspection and branding of renovated butter, which was adopted in committee of the whole, was retained on an aye and nay vote. As finally passed the bill is somewhat modified from the form in which it M’as reported from the committee on agriculture. It makes oleomargarine, or imitation butter, or cheese r transported into any State or territory for use, sale or consumption therein, subject to the law's of such State or territory—notwithstanding that it may be introduced in original packages—and imposes a tax of 10 cents per pound on oleomargarine made in imitation of “batter of any shade of yellow.” When not made in such imitation, tlio tax is reduced to one-fourth of 1 cent per pound. The second section is intended to prevent dealers, hotel proprietors and restaurant and boarding house keepers from coloring the uncolored article by making any person who colors the product and then sells or furnishes it to others a manufacturer M’ithin the meaning of the act. Penalties for violation of the act are a fine of not less than SSO nor more than SSOO, and imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than. ~Bix months.

The new section relating to the inspection and branding of renovated butter is as follows: “That the Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized and required to cause a rigid sanitary inspection to be made from time to time, and at such times as he may deem necessary, of all factories and storehouses where butter is renovated;'and all butter renovated at such places shall bo carefully inspected in the same manner aud to the same extent and purpose that meat products are now inspected. The quantity and quality of butter renovated shall be reported monthly. All renovated butter shall be designated as such by marks, brands and labels, and the words ‘renovated butter’ shall be printed on ail packages thereof in such manner as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture, and shall be sold only as renovated butter. No renovated butter shall be shipped or transported from one State to another, or to foreign countries, unless inspected as provided in this section.”