Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-02
THE MILK WAR.
Both Sides Claimed a Victory
at Boston, Monday.
Contractor; Claim Enough to Supply
Observation-Disclosures Say"No."
Both Sides See Enough encouragement to
Cont nue the Struggle.

Boston. April Each contestant in
the war over the price of a can of milk
in this city. the producer or farmer and
the contractor or wholesaler, is claim
ing. tonight, a victory in today's first
test of strength. The producers are as
sorting that todays supply for the
Boston market was at least 10000 cans
below normal. The contractors admit
that the shortage averaged about one
third. which means in round numbers
10000 cans.
The consumers were not placed on
short rations. however. The cOntrac-
tors anticipating that their full con-
signments of, milk would not be re-
ceived. had taken the precaution TO
have their tanks stored to their fullest
capacity. Sunday. The consumer viii
therefore. have milk enough for to-
morrow and probably for Wednesday.
The contractors say there is no ques-
ton regarding a full supply on any
succeeding day, even though the strike
runs into next week-that they have
arranged for other sources of supply
which will preclude the possibility of
any milk drought.
on the other hand. the producers as
sert that the shortage of $1,000 cans
will be increased by half as many
more, Wednesday. They add that the
farmers are determined to fight to a
finish and reasseTt their former state
ment that if the regular contractors Go
not take TIE milk some others will.
Both sides are resting on their arms
watching for the next move of the
other side. 1t is difficult for an outsider
TO get absolutely correct detailed in
formation for the rea son that neither
side cares to show its hand at present.
One thing that each side thoroughly
understands is the loss of hundreds of
dollars daily as the result Of the strike.
Representatives Of either side appear
to be willing to arbtrate but the diff
Guilty lies in the fact that these repre-
sentatives claim to speak only for
Themselves as individuals.
The producers seem to be greatly en-
cnuraged by the results of tOday's test
They claim that the new territory
which the contractors speak Of as how
ing with milk. if not with honey. does
not exist. They do not deny that the
contractors may be able to obtain n
temporary supply of milk sufficient to
supply the wants of Boston for two or
three days. but they make skeptcal
remarks when the possibility of obtain
ing permanent supply on this terri
tory is suggested.
One result of the controversy. if it IS
long continued. may be shortage OF
butter and cheese. The contra rtorS
have sent word to their various cream
cries to send to Boston all their avail
able milk OF course some of the farm
e,s who have withheld their milk can
send ii to the Independent creamaries
but the trouble lies in the fact that the
creamerieS are few and far between
and that the oldfashoned farmers
wife's accomplishment of making but
ter is almost lost art.
IF the contra tors win. ii is not prob
able that rival company may enter
the field and take the milk TO the boy
cotted farmers. Competition might not
enlarge the profits of the farmers. but
it would probably not be serious
,ietriment to the consumer.
Barre Mass. April 1.-Gallons of rich.
creamy milk fresh from the dairies was
spilled on the ground in Barre. l1a"dwick.
Barre Plains and Old Furnace, today. be
cause the producers refused 10 turn II
over to the contractors. and they did nor
want the fluid to set in the cans against
the night milking. Not all of the farm
ers threw away their milk. as those vile
have churnS or live near creamerieS turn
ed IL in for butter making.
Barre is a great center for milk produf-
ing and n representative of the contract
ors was here trying to prevail on me
producers to accept certain prlca. w IA
that price was is not given out. but Their
was a point blank refusal to accept any
terms which did not include all the pro
ducers supplying the Boston mari ct an'
who are now on strike. The Barre pro
,l,Icers insist that If they hold out fo'
four days they will win the fight.
The Indications for shipments. tomor
row appear to be follows: From
North Brookfield and New Braintree
John D. Foss and wilder Rarnes will sni,
about IS cans. There will be no mill
shipped from East Brooktield: nine CAM
will go from Brookfield. Nothing will g
from West Brookfield but between - an'
81 cans will go from Warren. To be ship
ped by men who have charge of farm
but do not own them and so only opc'
lnrC