Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-13
TRUST In MILK.
Producers and Dealers Are Fixing on
q Uniform Rate of Prices,
WHICH MAY STOP ADULTERATION
An Interesting Meeting Held at the Key
stone Hotel Yesterday.
WHAT ONE OF THE DEALERS HAS TO SAY

A Milk Trust is the latest addition to the
long string of business and trade combina-
tions that have lately been called into exist
ence. The initiatory steps toward its estab-
lishment were taken yesterday afternoon in
the keystone Hotel, on Fourth avenue,
between a committee of the milk producers
of Western Pennsylvania and the milk
dealers of Pittsburg and Allegheny.
About 100 milk dealers were at the con-
ference and an equal number of producers
were represented by their delegates.
DR.. Irwin, of Irwin City, large land
owner from Butler county, presided, and
another producer, Mr.. j. E. Stewart, of
Midway, acted as Secretary. The object of
the combination may perhaps be best
demonstrated in DIR. Irwin's own words:
''The milk trade is just now in such
condition that there is not only a constant
loss to the producer; but the result Is, also,
that the consumer gets but very inferior arti-
Gle. To make my meaning clear. let me say
this: There is just now frightful cutting of
prices pervad1ng among the milk producers,
which can't possibly bring any profit to all of
them. Milk is sold at all kinds of prices, and
the producer, who has the least custom, is
He not only transgresses the law, but he also
sells an article to the people which they do not
at all bargain for.
THEY KNEW IT WELL.
1.-THE producers have been aware of this for
a long time, and we have at last come to the
| conclusion that we had better come to some
kind of an understanding and make an agree
ment to fix price for our product at which
we will sell to dealers with the people. We
have done this, and are harmonious among
ourselves; but to make the thing success, it
| is necessary that dealers cooperate with u.s.
and accept the terms we are willing to offer, or
| else advise us how to do better"
After DR.. Irwin's speech, several of the deal
ers present were invited to give their opinions
as to the state of affairs.
One of them said that the proposition made
by the producers seemed to be fair enough,
| but that it was Of no use to make an agree
| ment, unless they would promise not to sell
to the retailers at all, but only sell to the
| dealers as the middlemen.
1T is all very WE'LL" he said, "for you to
make one price for the milk; but, if you sell to
| the retail trade as well as to us, where are we
| to come in? There are bakers and grocers
around town now who sell milk great deal
| cheaper than we can do it, because they get it
from you direct. Now, that must end; then we
| can do business"
| The producers promised that they would
| concede that point, whereupon discussion of
terms was commenced.
The producers then offered the following
| scale of prices: From May until November
they will sell the milk to the dealer at II cents
| per gallon, and from November until May at Is
| cents per gallon.
LITTLE MORE CONFERENCE.
This proposition seemed to be very satisfac-
tory to the dealers. and one of them was going
to offer a resolution that the proposition
should be accepted; but he was interrupted by
another dealer, who said:
Hold on, there, for momenti Let me sug-
| gest something first. Now, gentlemen, do
not think that we ought to settle this matter
too hastily. While there are a good many of
| the milk dealers here, still there is quite a
| number absent. and l think it wiser
| on our part not to conclude
| this arrangement until all of US know about
this proposition. 1 propose that the dealers be
called to meet here on next Monday evening
| for discussion of the producers offer. What
ever the result of that meeting may be we will
| state to the producers and, to settle the final
| steps, offer another resolution to reconvene
with a committee of the producers two weeks
/ from to-day"
l. After great deal of talk and argument these
| motions were accepted and the conference was
| adjourned.
fhe committee of the producers represented
| all the milk shippers from the following named
counties: Allegheny, Washington, Butler,
Beaver, Westmoreland, Fayette and Arm.
| strong
One of the dealers, when speaking about the
| proposition offered to them BY the producers
| said:
HOW BIG A THING IT IS.
"Ir we accept the offer-and 1 think that we
will do soft will be a great thing in many
ways. 1t will not only be of great advantage to
us in giving US chance to get a fair profit on
our goods, but it will also have the effect OF
| giving the people a better article for Their
money. At present the price of milk varies in
the two cities in an extraordinary manner
You can buy milk from cents quart up to 8
9 and even 10 cents. OF course you can readily
see that the man who can sell his milk for {
cents must be getting it very cheap, or else he
| adulterates 1t. Invariably he does the latter
| Now, II we all agree upon a uniform price, that
| will be stopped because the dealer will moi
| allow the retailer to do any watering any
longer, since it will revert on him. In fact
there will not be any inducement for doing Sc
under the circumstances. Yes think this fix
ing the price Of milk very good thing indeed
What will be the retail price of milk if you
accept the producers scale?'
~ am not certain, because I suppose the
dealers will decide upon that. But think
that during the summer months we will sell il
| for IL cents and in the winter for "A cents
| That would give the dealer 90 per cent profit
But. as the retailer will probably want to make
90 per cent as we'll the consumer will have tC
pay "a cents per gallon in the summer and 81
cents in the winter"