The San Francisco call., 1899-06-18
AUCTION SALES.
A DAIRYMEN'S COMBINE.

c lNCE combinations the order OF the day.
there Is why there should be any
- surprise or any indignation over the report that
the dairymen who supply San Francisco with milk
and butter have undertaken form association for
the advancement OF their interests. In this in all
other combinations the determination whether the
results are to be beneficial to tie public depends
upon the combination itself but upon the ends
which its energies are be directed and The manner
ir which its business is to be conducted
Combinations OF darymen have existed in the
neighborhood OF several OF the large cities OF the
East ior some time, and OF them it may be said
was written OF the virgins in the Bible. some are
wise and some are foolish The association which
controls the dairy supply OF Boston has recently been
the subject OF considerable newspaper discussion and
from what has been brought out during the nvesti-
cation appears that from such combinations there
j, something to hope for and something to fear.
Proceedings in court against a woman charged
with offering impure milk ior sale brought out the
TACT that in Boston 4 retailer OF milk or consumer
cannot change from one dairyman to another with
cut the consent OF the Dairymen's Association OF that
city. The arrested woman. it seems discovered that
the milk furnished her was pure and cndeayorcd
to obtain milk from another dealer but found that
she could not DO So as the rules OF the combine for
lid daiyman take away the customers OF
another.
Whether that rule has been changed since the dis
closure made in the case we do not know 1t is gen
orally regarded by the Boston public bad rule,
and undoubtedly is so. unless the association can
find some way OF guaranteeing the product OF each OF
It's members. There are such abundant opportuni-
ties Tor frauds milk that if dishonest dealers are to
have any protection at all from the combine the re-
suits are sure to be preudicial the public welfare
During the Investigations OF the subject in Boston
it was discovered that sophstications OF all kinds ex
ist in the milk business. A substance bearing close
resemblance to cream can be Infused into skinned
milk and even milk that is comparatively sour can
be made to seem fresh Referring to these milk
preservatives and colorings," a Boston paper says
there who carry a large business in deal
ing in them. and adds: "A circular from a concern
engaged in the business gives the and prices of
different compounds intended TO preserve milk from
souring; to enhance the color OF butter: to make
cider sparkle like champagne. and embcish va
rious other articles of diet. Compounds are recon-
mended that said to keep milk and cream per
iectiy and fresh for any desired length Of time
There are powders warranted that will give deli
cous cream and others that impart natural rich
creamy shade i'll milk and buttermill' One OF the
artists is enthused the success of his trans
formations as to declare that Nature is no longer in
the game.
A milk association that will work for the protec-
ton of honest darymen against the competition of
dishonest dealers in such stuff as that brought to
light in Boston will undoubtedly be OF great benefit
to San Francisco, and since it appears likely that
some combine will be formed it is to be hoped il will
be OF that kind.