The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-03-29
DAIRY CONTROVERSY

oiAS VI tHc CAUSES OF the un-
fortunate feeling toward certain bus
mess men of this town, Mr. c. H.
Clough of the Hardwood Creamery
was seen and was asked for explana-
ton, comment or defense, as he might
view the requirements
The gentleman however, refused alb
solutely to be quoted in reply, claim
ing that it was beneath his dignity to
enter into any controversy; that the
books of the lakewood Creamery
were open to inspection at any time,
on the part of any citizen or commit
tee or person or persons, having the
shadow of excuse for looking into
them, and claiming vehenently that
such inspection would prove, beyond
peradventure or doubt, that the treat
ment OF all of its patrons by the
creamery had always been more than
merely fair, that the creamery had
never made dollar of profit since its
installation, and its continued opera
ton was only in the hope that con-
ditions would change so as to admit
OF conducting fair and bene6cent
business on profitable basis. He
further stated and proved, so far as
proof was possible, by a cursory in
spection of records covering about
two weeks, that the two local cream
cries furnish less than third of the
normal butter consumption of this
| community and then went on to state
certain alleged facts in regard to the
relative profits to be obtained by the
farmer in churning his own butter
and in sending his butter fat to the
creamery, showing that the farmer
! who does his own churning suffers a
| considerable loss.
Following this and led thereto by
what inducement the writer knows not
perhaps in the hope of reimburse
ment in advertising patronage from
another source for class of advertis-
ing their policy compels them to re-
fuse-refuse loudly, vociferously
blatantly-our contemporary edition
of the 2lst inst. blossomed out with
an obviously inspired front page ar
ticle under the caption, Ranch Butter
Does Not Pay" purporting to prove
this contention by figures evidently
furnished by the gentleman who
scorned controversy.
Certain of the figures given in this
article are admitted by the ranchers
without dispute; others called forth
immediate and vehement protest. For
example:
The costs of production, as given in
the creamery article are admitted
These cost figures are based on cows
producing 800 pounds of butter fat per
year, with hay at the average price
| of 5000 per ton, and one mans work
for rs cows at $4,000 per month and
! board; and the cream being sent to
the creamery and butter fat paid for
at the alleged average of 81 cents per
pound-the resultant net profit being
given at $40 per COW per month. In
the light SHED upon the subject by
investigation it will be we'll in bear in
mind the words met profit" and the
figures "$24O per cow"
The figures given for the produc-
ton of ranch butter are that from rs
pounds of butter fat 80 pounds of
butter can be produced with the fol-
lowing costs:
Cost of producing cream-same
| as for cream sent to creamery,$5.6O
Churning 80 pounds butter (pro-
duced from Is pounds of but
ter fat) ~ hours at Is cents
per hour ................. .37H
Thirty butter wraps at lHc
(Tribune would like to get that
priceD Neutrality-suspicious.. ~
3 pounds salt at '3Hc ........ .lOH