The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-09-24
Will FIGHT The TRUST
Hudson County Milkmen Consid-
er Means for Escaping from
the Great Monopoly.

The Hudson County Milkmen's Protec-
tive Association which was organized on
September 4, for the purpose of fighting
the Milk Trust, which hsa been formed
to crowd out small dealers in New York,
Jersey City, Brooklyn and vicinity, held
an important meeting in Armory Hall
yesterday afternoon to map out a plan
of campaign. The attendance was not
up to the mark because of the weather.
President Michael ". Murphy, in open
ing the meeting, Said
"Our purpose in meeting here this af-
ternoon is to exchange views and take
steps to protect our interests and those
of the public against the proposed trust.
! have visited a number of farmers in
New York State in the last week and
they informed me that no matter what
inducements are offered they will not
deal with the proposed trust. They real
ize that ever shouId they be offered a
higher price for their milk, they will
sooner or later suffer loss. | also called
upon several owners of creameries. They
promised not to sell to the trust If the
dealers will promise them their business.
The farmers do not want to sell to any
trust, as they know that the poor peo-
pie will be the sufferers. The proposed
Milk Trust is working secretly and is
making great Roadway. If we want to
protect ourselves it is necessary for us
to become united without further delay.
A large majority of the public are
against any trust and will stan by us.
The proposed trust is making a strong
bid for the business in this city and is
building a net around us. Many milk
dealers in Jersey City do not seem to
realize their danger. The trust has been
at work for two years and unless we
wake. up at once and do something it
will be too late. The promoters of the
trust already hav $40, 600, 600 in a New
York bank, and they can raise as much
more for use in an endeavor to control
the milk business. Nearly $4,000 cans of
milk come into this market every day,
and the profits aggregate $4,000,00 a year,
so you can see what the trust is after"
President Murphy invited the members
to an open discussion of the question at
issue. Mr.. Andrews was the first dealer
to avail himself of the privilege of ex-
pressing his views:-
Many of the milk dealers in this city"
he said, do not appear to be alarmed.
They fail to note the progress which is
being made by the hackers of the pro-
posed trust
What we need to do" said f.. E. Bird
sail, lis to endeavor to put a stop to
the sale of cheap milk to groceries. This
is supplied by the ConsolidatedSMilk Elk
change at a price which is ruinous to us.
think our customers will be with us
If we inform them of the object Of the
trust. think the idea of the trust is to
kill off the retail dealers and not to cut
prices. What we must do is to work on
the other end-on the farmers
Mr.. Schuler thought the local dealers
who undersell a greater evil than the
trust. He said:-'As long as L can get
enough milk | will not be afraid Of the
trust. Our worst enemy is the LOCAL
dealer who is trying to undersell US. The
trust must go into New York, New Jer-
sey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Long
Island to secure a monopoly for these
places furnish the supply of milk. To
secure a monopoly they must control the
farmers in four or five States. We must
work among the farmers. The trust will
not cut prices, as there would be no
Mr. SCHUYLER proposed that each mem
Der of the association put up 800 as a
guarantee that he will maintain a uni
form price. President Murphy favored
a deposit of s25, which is the sum the
New York dealers furnish as a guaran-
tee. Mr.. Schuler complained that he has
NOT seen a milk inspector in over a year.
He thought it would be q COED idea to
appeal to the health authorities for a
better system Of inspection. Mr.. Bird
SAN said he had not seen an inspector
since he has been in business.
President Murphy thought that the in
| spectors are all right. The fault, to his
mind. lies in the fact that there are not
enough inspectors. He thought It advis-
| able for the association TO ask the state
| authorities for more inspectors, as much
of the milk sold in cheap grocery stores
is Of a poor grade. The milk which Is
| sold at three or four cents a quart said
| President Murphy, must be adulterat-