Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-04
WHAT IS BOSTON DRINKING D.?
Over $4,000 Cans Of Milk Short. Wednesday.
and Matter r Z from Settlement.

Boston, April 3.-Reprcsenta of the
contractors and the New England -.
Producers Union were in conference for
nearly six hours. today. in the hope that
the difference at present existing might
be safely adjusted and the milk war
brought to an end. This result was not
accomplished. however. and the meeting
adjourned until tomorrow at 1870 A. NJ,
when the full board of directors of bo,L
organza tons will be in attendance. 1T
the meeting. today. George o. Whiting
and George o. Whiting, Jr. of the G.
Brigham Co. and II. A. Whiting of ID.
Whiting K Sons. were spokesman for the
contra ctors, while the producers were
represented by President A. T. Ward.
Secretary w. \. Hunter, and Directors
Cannon of Exeter, n. H.. Barry of Sax
tons River, VT, and Freeman of New
Braintrce. Mass.
The clause first taken up for discussion
was that which provides that the price of
milk to the producers may be made con
tinGcnt upon any change in the price of
milk in Boston The producers claimed
that this was an inequitable clause; IN
milk at certain stated prices for six
months. They further claimed that this
clause gave the contractors the right to
raise or lower AT their pleasure the price
paid for their milk. The farmers assert
ed that this was a new clause. and that
the members of the union were suspicious
of it.
Harvey 4. Whiting said he attached
felt that the producers had as much in
tcrest in it as the contractors, therefore
he favored giving them i voice in what
ever change might be contemplated. lie
had Sufficient confidence in these directors
to believe that they will act in reason
able manner.
George o. Whiting said that It was the
intention of the contractors to confer
with the representatives of the union in
case any change was contemplated, al
though it was not 50 specifically stated
on the cards. He wanted the matter to
go beyond n conference. however. and
assuming that they could not mutually
agree at a conference. to leave the mat
ter to the State board of arbitration.
Director Scammon of the producers del
cgation. expressed qualification with Har-
vcy Writings remarks. The directors.
said he. appreciate your compliment. Mr..
Whiting, and hope to be able 10 show you
that this confidence is not misplaced
Mr.. Scammon seemed TO be willing to
settle upon the basis suggested b. Harvey
Whiting. but Director Barry objected ito
any such settlement. He thought the
contract ought to be made for six months
without any deviation. @. q. Whiting
called attention TO the fact that there
was no milk at any time during the sea
son. regardless of what the card might
state.
Mr.. Scammon replied that farmers felt
as a rule bound in honor to hold to an
agreement once made. And SO the dis
cuSSon wavCred.
Harvey Writings suggestion that the
price could and should be fixed by a con-
ference of the two parties to the agree
ment was evidently agreeable TO the di-
rectorS of the union present. George o.
Whiting. expressing himself as satisfied
with that method of settlement with the
added provso that il they failed to agree
the state board of arbitration should be
called in.
G. o. Whiting suggested that the mat
ter be laid on the table until he could
consult with other contractors. because
he was not at liberty to bind them 10 a
definite agreement
After a recess for lunch the conference
was resumed. This session was chiefly
devoted to a discussion of the questions
of the fiat price of milk and the surplus
in all other phases. Suggestions were
made by several speakers, but no definite
PROPOSITIONS were presented by either 81 ic
and after several hours and been con-
sumed in talk the conference adJourncC
until 10 A. NJ, tomorrow. when ii is I'M
derstood the producers will present their
demands in formal shape
The third day of the milk war has
brought no discomforts to the consumer
so far as is visible to the general public
President Ward states that 1900 cans
were. withheld TO-DAY; from the city ~ !
amount will be held back. tomorrow, al
though he would not give any figures: On
the other hand the contractors say they
have been able to secure milk enough TO
supply all demands. which is undoubtedly
true although it is an open secret that II
has been secured only by hard work upon
the part of the contractors ana az CON
sderably higher price than they have or
dinariy paid.
the following statement:
."rhere will be 10000 cans held back,
Thursday morning. Massachusetts farm,
ers alone are holding l2,VW daily ami
Wednesday nights mail brought assur-
ances from New HAMPSHIRE that the
farmers arc in full sympathy with the
strike. At headquarters. reports from all
over the milk district are most encourag
ing At Greenfield. a large power sepa-
rafor has been set up and the milk pro-
ducers are bringing in their milk and hav-
ING it put through the separator. The
cream is made up into butter by the
creamery at Peterhoro. Hancock is also
in line. ,oo - , ,oo,
taken off at East Lebanon. n. H.: West
Canaan. CO..: Walpole 400; Rockingham
Junction. 80: Enfield $50: Canaan; 10;
1000 cans will be held before Friday morn,
ing. At South Lee 40 cans are held ana
Greenfield 225 cans. Newfelds. n. RI .
hnIds hack every can and this is the his
tory of nearly every other station IN New