The Newtown bee., 1901-03-01

The Mutual Milk & Cream Co. hav-
ing practically secured control of all
the milk being shipped to New York
City over the New York and New Ha-
ven road, causes quite little anxiety
and inquiry from the producers who
furnish this milk, thinking the new
firm may use their immense power to
squeeze the farmers. Some members
Of the firm, such as are well known to
the larger producers farther up the
line, and have always been eagerly
sought for to purchase diaries at a
com mission of exchange prices on &C
count of their reliability and fair
dealing. This consolida tion is sure to
come in the milk traffic in New York
City. 1t started two years ago when
syndicate formed in New York Offer
ed to take all the milk from the Five
States Milk Producers association,
but the deal fell through. The dealers
laughed at it, and said it could never
be done that way. Now we see COM
bination of the heaviest dealers at
Harlem river, forming combination
which controls the whole milk supply
Of one railroad entering New York
City. This is business. We see it in
everything. Capital combines for it's
own profit and protection. Why not
in milk? 1t is a necessity; people
must have it. Combination will ex-
terminate the rascals who have been
buying milk Of farmers, paying one or
two months, then forgetting to pay,
and harping up some complaint or ex-
cuse when hunted up, leaving good
sum in the peddler's pocket, and the
farmer in the hole. Mr. Peddler cool
ly negotiating for new victim, a few
miles farther along the railroad, and
doing the same thing over again. This
enables him to undersell the party
who pays for what he gets, and per-
son not conversant with the business
could hardly imagine the number of
sharks Of this stamp in the business.
Consolidation of the selling must of
d necessity compel the producers to
also consolidate, else it must become
a one-sided affair, in short time. We
cannot expect philanthropists of milk
dealers, when given too much rope.
We believe it to be the duty Of the
farmers to organize thoroughly, put
themselves in position where the
company must meet them half way,
and no more; adjust prices to meet
changing conditions and adjust other
affairs in business like manner. We
hardly believe this company could be
so unwise as to try any extreme meas
ures feared BY some. If the purchase
price Of the greater portion of this
business be worth $4,000 to them, in
cold cash, it must be also ruinous to
let this business stop. We will allow,
for argument S sake, the company get
too arbitrary, and exact too great a
commission for handling this milk, ig-
noring the farmers appeal for mercy.
How long would it take the secretary
of the Central Union to notify his
subordinates at each receiving station,
by telegraph along the whole line,
ordering every can Of milk kept at
home, until matters were adjusted.
Some will say other dealers from the
various feeders coming into New York
could supply the shortage. This is ex-.
pensive and possible only on a flush
market. There is little fear of this,
as the company candidly admit their
mistake in too low prices two years
ago, and the freeze out, with dead
plant lying idle. They don't want any
more of the Black River experience.
They say they come here to do business
and pay better prices. Why not give
them good fair chance? Don't con-
denim them without cause.-[Farmer.