New-York tribune., 1900-05-22
FARMERS TALK OF MILK.
THEY WANT MORE MONEY FOR THEIR
PRODUCT.
NO INTENTION OF RAISING THE PRICE TO
THE CONSUMER. BUT THINK THE
MIDDLEMAN GETS TOO MUCH

The Tribune In all it's criticism of the scheme
Of William Graves control the milk supply of
this city has let its sympathy for the milk producer
the farmer-be clearly seen. That he gets too
little for his product Is admitted tut that he would
do any better when he had tied himself up with
Mr.. Graves and his hackers. than he does at pres
ent Is open to serious doubt.
Ira Smell and F. B. Aiken, two members of the
Sales Committee of the Five States Milk Prsduc
ers' Association which appointed William Graves
the selling agent of that body, to New-Tork
yesterday. called upon Mr.. Graves. and saw the
legal representative OF the association. James l..
Bennett. at his office. No I49 Broadway.
In the interviews which were had with them by
a Tribune reporter they said that in appointing
Mr.. Graves the selling agent of the associa-
ton they were only trying to put into execution
a plan to make the dealers pay them higher
price for their product. They had taken this meth
cd. they said because every other resource had
failed. They had desire to limit the supply of
milk In New-York; in fact. they would like sell
more milk here. and IL was not their intention TO
starve the babies They felt that they had been
forced to do this for their protection and had
chosen this season of the year for the effort
bring the dealers 10 terms because it would work
the city least harm at this time. They said they
wanted legislation which would make the dealer
sell pure milk and mentioned Of the ways
In which retailers increase their profits at the
pense of the quality of the milk
Tribune reporter called at Mr. Benefits Of
flee yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Bennett enumerated
some of the reasons why the farmers had
gagged in the present contest with the dealers
The grievances of the farmers he said "are
that by the organization Of the milk exchange and
its methods the price of milk to them has not been
subject to the law of supply and demand; that
the milk exchange has arbitrarily fixed prices
without reference TO the value of milk as gov
erned by its in the production OF butter and
cheese; that the exchange has varied the price
OF milk sometimes often thrice a month. and
at times the farmers have not known the price OF
thax- hoy- ,La4r alo
creameries and butter factories have been
bought up and shut down by the dealers in
order to prevent the farmers from having
any other resource than submit to what
ever conditions proposed by them, and
that the milk Exchange. by its arbitrary methods.
has continued to depress the price from
a quart, paid in 1892 until present milk
cannot be produced except at a loss. The farmers
say further that the difference between the price
which they ask and the price paid by the
sumer. constituting nearly two-thrds of the
cefpts. affords ample resources for the dealer.
only to distribute the milk. but to make a hand
some profit. The farmers don't blame the dealers
for this They expect that they Will get milk at a
cent and tenth quart which they obtained II
for once provided the farmers fools enough TO
accept it, They have word of criticism for the
6aaf5s f 5s in no a the milk m eTcnange but sub
for making some effort TO meet its conditions by
say that the farmers are willing to sell their milk
to him or any other person company. lawfully
5 to the srens o pn a1
cle and provided with sufficient funds fulfil the
conditions
Mr.. Smell and Mr. Aiken, who entered after Mr.
Bennett had stated their position, agreed with him
In reply to the question. Did the farmers know
in advance of the plan which Mr. Graves was inau:
gurating for the sale of their mk?" Mr.. Smell
said: THE farmers did not know of the plan of
ganiza tion but Were willing 10 sell their milk to
him if he would pay their price and formed a re-
sponsible company" Mr.. Smell, in speaking of
Mr. Graves's steps in the plan Of inducing the
dealers to form company said, Mr. Graves ad-
mltted to us to-day that his circulars We're as
clear as they should be-" When asked to the
success of Mr.. Graves's efforts. he said that
of the dealers had acceded to the farmers de;
mands as to price, and that some of the milk had
back because of this. The farmers he
said. ARE erecting many cooperative plants
place those destroyed by the dealers. that they
can either send milk to the city or manufacture
II into butter and cheese, according TO the market
The dealers reported yesterday that the Man.
haitian market glutted with milk, and that they
ordering milk held back.