The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-22
rnx MILK PRoDUcxRs.


Special Meeting ct Kent-Attempt to Cut
Association Rates.
A special meeting of the White River and
District Milk Producer Association was held
at Kent on Saturday, April IS. During the
previous week several members of the associa-
ton had received notices from Hall & Galloway
that they could no longer pay the association
rate for their product Competition in Seattle
had forced reduction in the price of milk to
the consumer; besides, cheaper milk was now
coming upon the market These letters had
been forwarded to the secretary, and were the
cause of the call. It being deemed proper to see
what action the association would take for the
The secretary Also notified Hall & Galloway
that tho meeting had been calaed, and Invited
them TO be present and give their reasons for
their action in cutting on milk shipments
The notice to members was short. and 1t being
. busy time of the year, the number in attend
ance vas not large. Two or three members Of
the Duwamish dairy concern were present
After the sec etary had stated the object Of
the meeting, the Seattle gentlemen wee called
upon to state their case.
One of them sid they had come Is listeners
rather than Is speaker There had been placed
upon the streets OF Seattle wagons inscribed
Association Dairy" whose drivers were solicit
ing trade Of the rate of sixteen Quarts for 81.
The arm he represented could not sell milk at
that price and pay the Milk Producer Assoeia-
lion Wholesale rate of II cents per gallon de-
uvered IN Seattle
Pesident Durfin asked IL the notices to pro-
ducers infor ming them that their milk could no
longer be received had not been sent out before
the 81 cent per Quart milk had been placed upon
the market He said that he had become inter
ested in the milk distributing concern who
were running the Objectionable wagons All
connected with IL were selling their own milk
They had contcuded that If their milk was to be
thrown out by the dealers they had the right to
sell their own milk in any way they pleased, 30
long they did not sell il for less than the asso-
citation rate.
Mr.. Hart INDUCED in severe language about
those non members OF the association who held
aioof but snesked ia and offered milk at cent
or so less than association prices. He was in
favor OF measures-the shipping of milk in for
nothing II necessary-that would force them
ic.o the association.
Mr.. Hummei. smother member OF the firm
now cutting rates IN Seattle, said that Hal! &
Galloway had refused to take his milk at sssocia.
ton rates. He had put on wagons in order that
his proouct could be disposed Of He must sell
it. He would not do 90 for less than association
rates But he could sell at Ice per gallon retail,
and save himself He is doing ii, and his trade
Is growing.
1T Jones said the farmers had nothing to do
with the Seattle business. Let the dealers settle
their own difficulties. The producers at lie per
gallon in Seattle are making none too much
profit II is not fair 10 ask them to reduce the
rates because the dealers are cutting rates in
| order 10 get custom. He supposed the new
concern in order 10 get trade in the place OF old
| established concerns must cut rates.
Mr.. Russell, representing Hall 4 Galloway,
| said that the wholesale price for milk had been
reduced to large consumers to lsc per gallon.
| They could not afford TO pay lie and deliver the
| milk TO customers
| Mr. Jones asked If customers had asked for =
| reduction in price OF milk and Was answered in
| the negative. '.Then," said he, iii 10 fight OF
| your own and you shonld settle It among your.
Selves and not ash US to take less price in or.
| der to aid you in your warfare"
Mr.. Nelson asked Mr.. GALLOWAY IT, as p-o.
1 Queer of milk, he could afford to sell 1, for IA
| cents per gallon ct the depot. Mr. Galloway
| thought he could not "why, them" said Mr..
Nelson. do you come here and ask US to do /.
The discussion in this strain was continued
| for some time. twas suggested 10 the dealers
| that they could regulate the matter By taking
association milk at the regular prices in prefer
ence 10 outside milk. and thus help to force al
| producers into tie association.
Finally Hail & Galloway announced that they
| had in preparation articles of agreement by
which all the dealers in Seattle and ali the p-o-
dueers In the valley may become members of q
| grand consolidated company. BY this means II
would be possible TO stop ell contention II
| there is surplus milk, the necessary plant for
| making ii into butter and cheese can be sstah-
Eshed in Seattle by the company and the pro
ceeds from the same divided pro rata among the
milk producers. The plan is not yet perfected
but they thought that in two weeks they would
have it in readiness TO submit 20 the farmers.
They asked the opposition dealers, to stop all
further cuts in rates until this proposition can
! be examined. Mr.. Durgin on behalf Of his com.
pany agreed that during the two weeks inter-
vening between now and the regular meeting of
the association he would be content TO let the
prices remain - they are. provided that Hall &
Galloway would asree 20 take association mix
at the fixed rase In preference 70 non -associa.
ticn mix az less price until said meeting Mr.
Galloway agreed to this. g. be thought be would
have no difficulty in stopping the ron-axsocia-
ton supply to this extent
With this action the meeting adjourned with
the naS Of truce Tying, with orpositicn MIX b.