The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-28
CENTS A GALLON.
The Milk Producers Association Refuse
to Lower the Price.

KENT, Sept. 7.-[Special. This after
noon the Milk Producers Association met
to receive delegation from the Seattle
Restaurant and Hotel-keepers' Association
TO discuss the price OF milk for the winter.
About one-half the members of the milk
producers organization were present. The
Seattle association was represented by Mr..
Russell and Mr.. Wilber.
The latter gentlemen gave as the object
OF their visit, an endeavor TO gain some
concessions from the producers 10 the deal
ers FOR the milk product during the winter.
Unless this was done they would be forced
to look for supply elsewhere. They said
the restaurants and hotels are not making
money. They are doing business at low
rate. Competition has forced them to il.
They had been informed by the dealers
that from and after October the whole
sale price of milk would be advanced to
q cents per gallon. They, the restaurants
and hotel men, had come to the conclusion
that they could not possibly pay over 25
cents. They wanted the producers to meet
them half way and furnish milk TO the
dealers for a. least / cent per gallon
less than the price nov fixed
upon for the winter, viz. 22cents per gallon
formed that some of the largest dealers
would deliver the product for cents per
gallon. A cent concession from the pro-
ducers would put the price TO them down
to 25 cents per gallon. II this could not be
done they would be forced to seek supply
from some other source. They knew
where they could obtain 200 or 800 gallons
al a much less price.
The milk producers could not see how
they can furnish the article for less than
20 cents at the depot, or - cents in Seattle.
With the present and prospective price of
feed for cows, the high prices for experi-
enced mixers, the cost of labor, of haul
ing, etc.. the interest on the money in
vested. rendered any lower rate unprofit-
able. In fact, they said, there is no money
In winter dairying, even at the rate fixed
upon. They might better sell their cows
to the butcher and engage in some other
branch OF farming.
After considerable informal discussion
the Seattle delegation withdrew. asking the
milk producers TO consult together ana
give them definite answer 10 the request
that the price OF milk be reduced cent per
gallon to the dealers.
Ii took but a short time to decide upon an
answer. 1t was given the restaurant and
hotel delegates in the following language:
Resolred, That the White River and District
Milk Producers Association, in their opinion,
deliver at Seattle the milk at reasonable rate;
that the Dealers Association does not object TO
paying the prices which ara required, and
which we cannot afford to reduce, aud there
fore we cannot make any alteration in the prices
now and hereafter required TO be paid during
the time that has been fixed. viz: to the end OF
March. at y cents per gallon.
The producers were free to say that they
believed the dealers can make concessions
to the hotel and restaurant men aud still
make large profits. A great proportion of
the milk is sold at 36 TO 40 cents per gallon
to families. This gives heavy margin Of
profit. At any rate. the question of price
to the wholesale consumers of Seattle lies
wholly with the dealers and themselves
Farmers say they will not run their milk
business at a loss. III forced to do so they
will keep their milk at home.
1t was also asserted that Tacama dealers
are anxious TO take milk from this region
at the present fixed rate. Some producers
have already contracted their product
there.
From the temper of the farmers, as here
manifested, no concessions will be made to
Seattle men. They say the association in
cludes the owners of fully LOCO cows. and
is sufficiently strong TO resist any un-
friendly action by dealers or consumers.