The Democratic advocate., 1900-07-14

1t has not been without unmixed feelings of
curiosity that Baltimoreans have watched the
operations of the United Milk Producers
Association at their plant on North avenue
during the past few weeks. at the outset
there was distinct coldness toward what some
people termed manufactured milk, and a GER
tain amount of derisiyeness against the pro-
moters when the latter declared they would
supply to the consumers q milk that was
wholly free of deleterious matter and yet
would lose none of its richness nor its
health giving properties. The people of the
city had been so accustomed to receive their
milk either direct from the farmer, the dairy
mems representatives or the itinerant pedler
that such proposition as an absolutely pure
milk, based from scientific, chemical stand
point, seemed impracticable, if not to say i'm
possible.
The period of probation is over. The
promises Of the association have been carried
out to the letter. Where there was doubt there
is now praise, and, in fact, the association
has won its opponents over to the great ma
jority, until now e request has to be made to
the milk producers to supply all their pro-
ducts at an even better price than has hereto
fore prevailed. The following letter will ex-
plain the present happy condition of the as
sociation, as voiced by President W. b.
Crowther:
To the Editor of the Westminster Advocate.
The United Milk Producers Association
has now been in actual existence about six
months. In that time it has passed through
stormy experience. Opposed by many of the
farmers whose interests it was organized to
protect, fought by the dairyman in the city by
whom il was viewed as an aggressor, and
blocked by certain class of politicians on the
alleged ground that the Association was not
a taxpayer in the city, and boycotted by the
general public for the reason that the Associ-
alton was represented as trust, and, further,
without hardly Il dollar of its capital paid in,
its doors were opened January 10 and the en-
terprise was fairly launched for business.
From that day down to the present the As
sociation has been living down misrepreseuta.
tons, and has been steadily gaining ground
in spite of all opposing forces, until today it
has not only representative investment OF
$3.50, 900, but it has secured that which is
dearer still, and more potent from business
point-the unswerving fealty of the public at
large. The figure of $3.50, 900 represents the
plant itself, but the business. computed on a
reasonable basis, today, day in and day out,
is good for 81, ,000, 900 per year, clearly show
ing that it is on business basis, and that it is
growing in popularity and trade beyond the
expectations of the most sanguine of the As
sociation members.
For years the oppression of the farmer has
been discussed at every freside, and, in
fact, at every public meeting, whether
political or social, and by every farmers
club in the land. Phianthropic writers,
essayiss and lecturers have joined in
the one discusson-"The liberation of the
farmer" = liberation from drudgery and
| Il. al. L. .s..lt E,xA
better market for his products, with commen-
surately less work in securingit The farmer
has sought every way to free himself from the
tolls of the middleman, the individual who,
for the smallest amount of labor and the larg-
est amount Of profit, has waxed fat at the ex-
pense of the tiller of the soil. Yet it seemed
as if no one would or could advance or devise
plan that would be feasible, practicable and
sound for his ameioration and relief. Polit-
ic;ll discussions meant nothing more than as
a catch as catch can play at certain periods OF
the year to gain the support for some party
nominee. | make this statement for the rea-
son that some of our former friends who have
enjoyed public sufferage, and who have
''longed'' for an opportunity to repay the
farmer for his vote and his support, have
turned their backs on the farmers company
and have lent their aid and support to the
middleman.
| Even in farmers clubs aad social organiza-
tions, associated for the direct purpose of pro-
vding relief for its oppressed members and
brothers, there have been men who have like
wise turned their backs on their neighbors
and have helped to furnish means toward
| breaking down the way to freedom, the one
and the only approach which the toilers have
| looked forward to through years of trials and
| tribulations.
The success of the United Milk Producers
| Association means the downfall of these NAL
contents. The importance of the Association
cannot be overestimated. 1t means more to
'sThe Man With the Hoe' than he ever
dreamed Of 1t means that if all dairy farmers
we're within the fold of the Association there
would be disbursement of several millions OF
dollars every year right in the home market,
| and at least 81, SOC, 200 to the good of their
own firesides. Farm lands will accordingly
enhance in value SO to 100 per cent.-a fact
that should primarily appeal to the producer
| i. .L:a State tho .asa---s--.-. o.; 1suranu.
| 1t means more comfortable days to the farmer
eventually, and more particularly to the pride
of his hearthstone--his wife and children
| for it opens to them opportunities for advance
ment and culture which no other channel af-
fords. No matter from what side this question
| is viewed, immediate association with this or
ganization means the material advancement
| of every man in 1.-THE shrewd, close, far
seeing man who counts his pennies; the broad
minded man who believes in the adage "Live
and let live;' the hardworking man who looks
| forward to ease in his old age-to all and
every one of them the Association is a friend
and merits the support not only of the agri-
cultural fraternity, but of the city community
| as WELL
| As this Association was primarily formed
for the benefit of the farmers, that fact has not
been forgotten at this time when its success
has been assured and is settled. The time is
still at hand for dairymen to come within the
fold of the Association and take advantage OF
| its benefits. If the independent men will only
assemble as body and make advances the
Association will be only too glad 10 meet them
and make advantageous terms to all concern
| ed. Such combination, if made by Septem
Der l, will insure the producers 16 to 20 cents
per gallon for their milk.
As matter of fact, at the present moment
the Association finds itself in rather pleasant
dilemma. 1t was said early in the season that
it would be so swamped with milk from the
surrounding country that it would be seriously
embarrassed. The embarrassment, however,
comes from just the opposite cause. There
is shortage in the supply delivered daily to
the North avenue plant, and at least 5000
| gallons more could be handled every "a hours
without trouble, and at profit to the Asso
citation and the producer.
THE UNITED MILK PRODUCERS AS
| ISOLATION.