The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-18
Gained Monopoly In Certain
Section Then Cut Prices,
Is Accusation.
CHARGE INDICATES
WIDENING BREACH
Farmers Forced to Retire From
Dairy Business BY Decreased
Revenue.

That Washington dealers ard ont the
Health Department are responsible for
the shortage Of milk shipments from
Virginia. was the statement made today
by milk producers from nearby coun-
ties. who are in Washington awaiting
the hearing before the District Commits
sioners next Thursday.
The farmers say that several Wash
ington dealers gained control of the
milk supply in certain sections and they
name one dealer in particular who is q
member of the MIX Dealers Associa-
ton, and then proceeded TO cut prices.
This procedure had the effect, they say
of driving men out Of the milk business
before the Health Department began
its campaign that the dealers blame for
the present famine
This charge indicated the widening
breach between the dealers and pro-
ducers, which became known yesterday
when representatives OF the two bodies
tried to get together on the plan of cam
paign for the hearing Thursday.
Illustration Cited.
The decrease in the number Of milk
producers along the Bluemont branch
OF the Southern railway is cited as an
instance Of the alleged operations of the
Washington milk men.
The supply along that branch, which
formerly sent hundreds Of gallons into
Washington daily. one producer said to-
day. was formerly controlled by prom
inent dairyman who, when he had
made contracts for six months or
year. sent circular letters TO all pro-
ducers saying that {, cut of cents
would have 10 be made on the whole
sale price paid for the ensuing months.
This procedure was repeated, It was
stated, for several years.
The supply was net then so short a.
now and the farmers found trouble in
getting other buyers for their milk. SO
in many cases they had TO waste two
or three weeks supply while they
hunted another market or had 10 sub
nit 10 the cut rate.
In Bluemont Region.
Fleet James, jr.. a prominent young
farmer from near Round Hill. Va,
threw some light today on the situation
in the Bluemont region of Virginia.
in addition TO the severe regula-
tons OF the Health Department 1 be-
neve,' SAID Mr.. James, that a score
or more producers in that section Of
I.oudoun county which lies along the
BluemOnt branch Of the Southern
railroad have quit the business be-
dealer who, few years ago, con-
trolled the milk situation.in that re-
gion.
This dealer in the days when milk
was plentiful managed to get control
OF the supply along this line and then
fixed his own price for it,"
The farmers from his section ex-
pected TO ship milk to Washington
this winter for p cents, Mr.. James
said, and during the summer most Of
them received but Il cents a gallon.
The statement made by dealers
that they paid IS cents for milk" he
said. may be true, but if they did
Il did not come from LOudoUn county
The prevailing price there this sum
milk that brought 16 cents was a
special grade"
Opposed by Farmers.
The farmers of Virginia are inimical
TO the tuberculin test, according TO Mr.
James. Mr.. James is a graduate Of
Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and
while at Blacks5urg took part in ex-
tensive experiments made with the test
Since then ne has made a close study
Of veterinary work in his State and is
closely in touch with the situation
there.
Experiments so far have proved to
them" said Mr.. James, that the test
Is uncertain. They have had demOnstra-
tons Of cases where cattle have re-
ALlGu u the test, Llltn nave Dttu KILL
ed, and were pronounced by the same
men who made the test 10 be free from
tuberculosis.
There are known to be cases when
the reverse was true. Cattle failed TO
show signs of the disease when the test
was applied, but post-mOrtem eXamina-
tion3 showed they had generalized tu-
berculosis badly"
in the number Of milk producers in his
section, Mr.. James declared, and few
new men have entered the business.
That the milk dealers practically will
ignore the tuberCulin-test question and
spend their time on Thursday trying TO
convince the Commissioners that a
count of bacteria and 4 temperature
standard should not be fixed was made
known today by prominent members OF
the dealers association
This means that the dealers will throw
over the producers and let them rest
on their own oars in the tuberculin-test
controversy
That their fears Of a bacterial count
en6 p temperature ruling were substan-
tiated was made clear by a statement
JOdd. by Hr. W. c woodward, District
Health Officer.
THE dealers are too careless about
the temperature at which milk is kept, ''
the health officer said. The don't seem
20 mind how soon their product gets
sour after il gets 10 the consumer /
am strongly in favor of a law modelled
after the Boston. Mass, statute. which
makes fl an offense to ship or carry
milk at a temperature of more than 50
deSrees.
at is comparatively easy to keen
the milk below the fifty mark. II in
wolves a little extra expense and trouble.
but il is worth while"
Or. Woodward said inspectors fire.
quently found milk sour on arriving al
Union Station because il had been i'm
properly shipped.
The law cited by the Board Of Trade,
E the Massachusetts regulation, makes
100000 the maximum bacterial count per
ceutimeter allowable. DR.. Woodward
said this was a liberal allowance.