The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-11-14
MILK PRICES
ARE TOO LOW
Sympathy for Farmers at Con-
ference
EDUCATION, NOT LEGISLATION
Inquiry About the indictments IN
Boston-Campaign to Show Food
Value of Mlk-Harm Done
Dairymen.

Boston. Experts in the milk busi-
ness had a conference at the Cham-
ber of Commerce last week at the call
of the Chamber. It's purpose was TO
sound the sentiments Of the produc-
ers, dealers and consumers ana 10
bring them together on some plan Tor
the improvement OF the milk business,
through legislation, education or what
ever may be deemed expedlent to Sc
cure a fair price to the farmers, falr
profit TO the dealers and fair cost TO
the consumers for good and clean
milk.
Representative George II. Ellis pre-
sided and associated with him on the
committee of the Chamber OF Com
merce were John T.. Bowditch and
Walter H. Smith.
In opening the conference Chairman
Ellis said that the committee VIII not
try to dictate what legislation ought
to be enacted, but he said that the
Chamber realizes that the milk busi-
ness in Massachusetts Is dwindling
away, and the Chamber wants to do
what is found to be advisable to I'M
prove conditions. He said that the
Chamber believes, however, that the
small producers OF milk ought to be
encouraged, and IL hopes to bring to
the attention OF the consumers the
food value OF milk.
George II. Bedinger Of the MIX and
Baby Hygiene Association said that
his association will give Wholehearted
support to any measure which IL feeis
Il can support. On the question OF
food value Mr.. Bowditchdeclared that
ON the basis of thirty-five cents Tor
pound OF steak the price for IA quart
of milk should be twenty-seyen cents
but the consumer would drop dead
before he paid that"
Charles +. Whiting, a milk contrac'
tor, agreed that there is lack OF un'
derstanding and this can be overcome
only by bringing the producers, the
dealers and the consumers toSether'
II is important that the distrust which
rests on the milk situation should De
dispelled Mr.. Whiting would not
make any definite recommendations
for future legislation.
George Albree, milk producer, re-
commended three lines OF action. lie
said that in the first place the Cham-
ber of Commerce should investigate
TO find out why there has been such
n long delay in the Federal Court In
determining the case on file against
the so-called Milk Trust in Boston. lie
pointed out that an investigation was
started three years ago and resulted
in the Indictment Of several cCntrac-
tors in Boston and representatives OF
the farmers union. These cases are
still pending, and il is unfair, he as
serted, that the stigma should rest
upon these men if there is no ground
for the indictments.
Secondly, there is n dual system OF
milk transportation in Massachusetts,
he said, aud the Chamber should see
that this is abolished.
Third, comes the question OF law
regulating the production, transporta-
ton and sale Of milk winch shall co.
ordinate the interests OF the city,
State and Federal Government
Wilfred Wheeler, secretary OF the
State Board of Agriculture, was EN-
phatic in his statement that the farm
ers cannot produce milk at the prices
for which they must sell it. The Leg.
islatures OF the past two years have
done more harm to the dairymen than
can be repaired in ten years, he de
clared, and today the farmers are de
cideGly opposed TO the Ellis milk bill