The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-21

A story has been current of late that
the combining of a number Of Scranton
milk dealers into the now Scranton
Dairy company was for the purpose OF
maintaining Il higher price on milk
and driving minor competitors from
the field.
An investigation has boen made by
THE TRIBUNE. and from thA informa-
ton received from officials OF the
Scranton Dairy company and indlvid-
ual dealers of extensive bualness, 1t
cannot be learned that the so-oallsd
combination will, or can, make H5tili-
ous prices; Mt least, such a state of
atfairB will not appear ~ long rs the
dealers now out OF tho hmalgamation
maintain their individual businesses.
A COMBINATION FORMED.
The union of five Of the large milk
dealers Of the city was cOnsummatsd
March |, with stock to the amount Of
$32, 900 held by several members In
umouDts proporIlonatO TO the extent Of
capital represented in their old busi
ness and equipments. This union was
made by the following: Farmers
Dairy company; L. S. Decker. Kress
Farm dairy, Reynolds Bros. and the
Farmers Milk company. of Providence.
A. j. Stone and &. NJ. Carpenter
were formerly officers of the Farmers
Dairy company. and are now leading
officials Of the blended concern. A
TRIBUNE reporter visitel Mr.. Stone at
his Office on Linden street yesterday
and questioned him concerning the sto.
ries stioat to the effect that the Scran-
ton Dairy company would squeeze the
market.
1--WE have heard such reports" he
said, but assure you our objects are
perfectly proper aud non-5ecret. Here
tofore, all the milk companies which
now constitute the Scranton Dairy com
pany and others who have not united
with us, canvassed the same territory
for our supply.
COULD DO BUSINESS CHEAPER
1--WE found that we could avoid con =
fusion and gather the milk product
much cheaper by having it done for one
concern and shipped to a common
point. Another consideration is the
reduction in handling and delivering
expense here in Scranton, Under the
present arrangement we employ pro-
portioaately smaller working force
in our Linden street depot both in
handling and Office work There are
as many individuals doing business
now as previously.
Mr.. Stone was asked If any time had
been set for having the delivery wagons
uniformly painted and the city divided
irrespective of new deliverynen to old
customers. He said these matters had
not yet been decided upon.
Probably the most extensive indl-
yidual dealer in the city who Is not
with the sma!gamatiou was inter
viewed by the reporter. This gentle
man does business of about $40, 900 u
ysar and declined an Offer Of an
amount exceeding the value Of his
plant and business to enter the union.
WHOLESALE PRICE TO BE RAISED.
He substantiated the statement OF
Nr Stone, but stated in addition that
the Wholesale dispensers Of the tactical
fluid hotels, restaurants, etc, would
have TO pay more than formerly, Gro.
cerymen who had bought from the
larger dealers at At cents per quart
would also bs shut out
The gentleman said further that the
larger dealers had been undersold by
their own customers who bought at a.
cents solely to sell at cents and draw
trade for butter, eggs and ths like,
without caring to make profit on the
milk.