The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-11

From information gathered by Trib-
une reporters yesterday the much-her-
aided milk trust has not become an as
sured fact nor will the consumers be
sorry if the trust is eventually formed,
providing its promoters keep their
promises. The plan Is very nearly the
same az that known as the Bedford
Jermyn scheme but which failed to
materialize.
f.. l.. Fuller and a half-dozen or more
of the larger dealers are forwarding
the new enterprise but the result of
their efforts cannot he determined un-
til it is known how many of the lesser
class of milkmen can be induced to
join. If the combination can be made
so as to represent the major part Of
the trade, the trust will be formed.
just as soon as that comes to pass;
otherwise, the effort TO combine will
be dropped.
From information obtainable yester-
day the prime movers i'm, the matter
have succeeded in getting enough OPP
tions and promises of combination to
assure them of eventual success. 1t is
not believed. however, that the prelm-
mary matters of formation will be at
tempted before Jan. II.
WHAT A DEALER SAID.
"In order to understand the situation
and the proprlety of our plan' said a
Wellknown dealer who. for obvious
reasons, wishes his name Withheld, "it
is necessary to present some figures.
There are now nearly 120 milk dealers
in this city. Some of them sell in only
such communities as are near their
depots; others sell in other or all parts
Cf the city. The daily total consump-
ton of milk is 500 cans or 10000 quarts.
Now isn't It reasonable to presume that
one company could distribute say from
1900 to 5000 quarts of this supply
cheaper. easier and more satisfactorily
10 the consumer than can forty or
fifty dealers?
Most assuredly it could, and that's
our plan though l would not wish tn
be quoted as TO accuracy on the figures
given you. The nuruber of the dealers
and the consumption, | believe, are
very nearly correct bnt the other fig
nres I antioned merely for argu-
ment's sake"
1t is believed that the combine pro-
moters have secured options and con-
sent to join from dealers, wholesale and
retail, representing nearly 20 per cent.
~ the city trade. When go or 20 per
cent. are obtained definite steps will
be taken to close the deal. The big
houses are the Scranton Dairy COM
pany, Conrad, Stone Bros, Shedd and
Schrieber 1t is proposed TO use the
present Conrad dairy in Green Ridge,
the Scranton Dairy company depot on
Linden street and Schreber's depot on
tn. South Side for distributing points.
WOULD BE RETAINED.
The proprietors of all these interests
and of the other larger concerns and
the smaller dealers who entered the
combine would be retained as employees
or granted reasonable compensation
for loss of employment.
one point in favor OF the plan is that
if ona company controlled two-thirds
of the present trade, one delivery wag-
on. one man and one horse could do
the work Of three wagons, thee men
and three horses used at this time.
The saving would permit reduced
cost for milk ana would facilitate its
handling and inspection. These are ar
currents of the combine promoters
1t is intimated, but not promised,
that II the plan is definitely conclud-
ed one cent. per quart VII immediately
be taken from the selling price.