New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-16
Partners NAY HAVE MILK ROUTES
VARIOUS OPINIONS AS TO FEASIBILITY OF
FIVE STATES MILK ASsOCIA-
TONS PLAN.

The p-oposed plan Of the Five States Milk As
ISOLATION establish milk routes In this city was
widely discussed yesterday. one opinion presented
was that 1t would certainly be highly profitable"
both to the farmers and to the consumers. but
that ii might not be entirely feasible" The plan
Of the association is ship its milk directly TO
its own agents in this city and not to independent
mlddlemen. is done now.
The trouble. from the farmers point of view. 1t
is said lies the that the routes now estab-
ltshed are in the control of private dealers, who
receive the milk from the farmers and distribute
It primarily for their and not for the farmers
advantage. Dealers put any price on mix that
they think consumers will pay What is more the
dealers have combined. so to be able to dictate
the price which they will themselves pay for milk
the farmers. In this way the farmers are
largely at the mercy of the dealers. The estao-
Hshment of a depot OF their own by the farmers
and the buying Of routes would mean an immense
change in the methods Of conducting the milk
trade. a change which would cost thousands OF
dollars and bring about long contest between
the farmers who took part and the dealers IN this
city.
secretary H T Crow Of the Five States Milk
Association is reported az saying at Ringhamton
that the plan would be put in operation by the
middle of November. The only way the farmers
could do this. it is thought. would be to withhold
the dealers supplies of milk, but this they would
have great difficulty in doing since these supplies
are furnished under contract. The farmers may,
indeed refuse to renew their contracts. which fire.
quently provide for milk year in advance. AS
the majority of the contracts have been made a
different times, any attempt at organization would
have to he made in the face OF confusion among
the farmers themselves well Of opposition
from the dealers. who have practically unlimited
sources Of supply. The farmers could shut on the
New-York supply for this city. but, in pinch. the
dealers would find little difficulty IN drawing
PENNSYLVANIA and New-Jersey. not TO speak Of the
considerable supply in New-York which the Five
States Association does not control The hope OF
the Five States Association is that the farmers
will stand together. and this II is asserted they
will do. In this case the real sufferer would be
the New-York Mix Exchange and not the
surrers
The Five States Association has frequently d.
verted its supplies hut has seldom successfully held
out against the demand OF the New York ma rLet
The magnitude OF its present undertaking so deal
ers say may defeat itself One Of the largest dairy
men in the city said yesterday that the plan was
"a wish rather indiscreety expressed" He added
The Five States Association has every reason for
establishing the proposed routes. but glance az
the situation will be sufficient TO show how
likely the members Of the association 10 bring
about their reform The methods employed In the
New-Yor trade have been I'm practice too long e.
be overthrOwn by men who are indignant at the
present state Of affairs.