Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-13
THE MILK war.
Il Will Beat the Cutting
Prices II ! Cam
Milk Contractor whiting Says
Al Legislative Hearing.
Contractors Are Obtaining Milk In
Quantity from New York.

| Boston. May 12.-Representatives Of
one milk contracting concern occu-
pied the entire time of the hearing be-
fore the Legislative committee inves-
| tigating the milk situation In Boston
at the State House today. This was the
| ID. Whiting Sons. which also controls
two other contracting companies under
different names. The questioning, by
the members of the committee was
sharp and several times the witnesses
| were charged by members Of the COM
mittee with giving unfair and evasive
answers. One answer that the commit
tee had no hesitancy in declaring a
fair one, was given by George Whiting
when he was asked by Senator John
+. Meaney of Blackstone If there were
no methods by which the d. whiting
Co. could whip another dairy which
was cutting prices. into line, Whiting
replied: IF there were any we should
| adopt it."
The testimony of George Whiting.
which consumed the entire forenoon
session. brought out the facts that the
Bostcn contractors are now obtaining
plenty of milk securing it largely from
New York City, and that they could
continue to do 50, without obtaining
any from the Massachusetts produce
ers Formerly. he said more than half
the milk which came into Boston was
brought from Il radius of about so
miles of this city. When asked If he
tho usht the farmers could make q
profit selling milk at the prices the
contractors offered. Whiting said that
he thought it would be difficult prop
oSitlon.
Senator Meaney, who was the most
conspicuous inquisitor of George Whit
ing caused somewhat of a stir at the
opening of the afternoon session when
he said he would refuse to sit on the COM
mittee as long as John f. Cusack. attor-
ney for the Whiting interests, was al
lowed in the room. During recess Attor-
ney Cusack spoke to Senator Meaney re-
garding his alleged antagonism against
George whiting, in which the attorney,
it is claimed, used improper language.
The committee adjourned into executive
session, following which Chairman Melen
requested Attorney Cusack to apologize
to the committee or be excluded from
participating in the hearing. The attor-
ney promptly apologized. saying I'VE
were both very angry and acted foolish"
The other witnesses of the afternoon
were ]. S. Bugbee and John X. Whiting
of the c. Brigham Co. and Elm Farm Co..
which are controlled by the d. Whiting
Sons. Whiting explained how the terrific
ry was divided up and said that a phys
ica barrier comes up preventing the
gathering of milk on the north side of
Boston and delivering on the south side.
He caid that of pracent there ie very Sa-
rious competition in the Worcester lcoun-
ty territory. and also In the vicinity Of
Bellows Falls, VT In answer to ques-
ton by Representative Gardner, he said
that there had not been any conference
between the contractors within two years.
His company &C. Brigham Coz was OBJ
tanning milk he said, from the Black rlv-
er section of New York and were paying
between and 1-3 cents quart, and AZ
cents per 40-quart can for transportation.