Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-12
MILK HIGH IN WINTER,
CHEAP IN SUMMER, Is
PLAN OF CITY DEALERS
Sliding Scale Suggested as Solu-
ton of Dispute With Pro-
ducers-Adoption
Probable
MAY ARBITRATE MATTER


OF Philadelphia would agree TO pay the ad-
vanced price asked by the farmers during
the winter period with the stipulation that
the price be reduced In the spring and
summer when there is an overproduction
OF milk was Indicated today from several
authentic sources.
c. r. Lindback, president Of the Abbott
Alderney Diaries. said he thought that the
dealers would agree 20 such an arrange
ment, and Charles s. Calwell. chairman
of the agricultural committee OF the Phila-
delphia Chamber OF Commerce, hinted at
such an arrangement when he said: "It
seems certain that the dealers cannot at
ford to pay Ave and one-half cents for
milk all the year round. Especially in the
summer when there is always an overpro-
duction OF milk. II would be disastrous for
them to pay that price. The market would
be glutted with milk and II would spoil on
their hands"
Mr. Lindback said he was certain that
the points at issue between the farmers and
dealers could be successfully arbitrated by
disinterested party. such as the Agricul-
tural Committee OF the Philadelphia Cham
ber of Commerce.
MAY BOOST PRICES
''of course" said Mr.. Llndback. 'ff the
farmers as a unit demand six cents for
their milk. we will probably have to pay IT,
ButSwe have not given up hope that there
will be reasonable settlement. I think
that the dealers would agree to paying the
price asked by the farmers during the win
ter months, when milk is scarce, II the
farmers agree 10 drop the price in the sum-
mer. when there Is decided overproduc-
tion. We hope TO induce the conservative
members of the farmers organizations TO
he IIarnt faIW .aVa
among the farmers, and we are certain
that they do not wish to work any injustice
upon the dealers or public We wish TO
avoid a milk strike IL possible; but, Of
course. the dealers will stand by their rights.
| The Chamber OF Commerce, we are con-
WINGED, will arbitrate this matter"
The agricultural committee OF the
| Chamber OF Commerce heard the dealers
| side of the case yesterday at a secret con-
| ference In the board room OF the Corn Ex-
| change Bank, and Mr. Calwell. chairman
OF the committee, stated today that officers
of the farmers organizations would be
asked TO present their views before the
committee within a week. At this meeting
IL is expected that the matter of raising the
price during the winter months and lower
| ing II in the summer, will be presented TO
the farmers as a basis for arbitration.
SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT
Hone Of an amcable settlement between
the farmers and the dealers was expressed
today by Mr.. calwelL
81 am Of the opinion" said Mr.. Calwell
that the farmers should havo a higher
| price for their milk-how much higher.
| don't know. I think that most OF the milk
dealers realize that the farmers must have
a fair price in order to- keep up production
| They don't want TO do anything TO dis
courage production Of milk.
'"rhe milk dealers claim that their prom,
| on milk Is only n quarter OF cent. So II
| is certain that II the farmers raise the price
the retail price will have TO be raised tc
| give the dealers a profit
Representatives OF the farmers are oom
ing before our committee within a week
| and we will hear their side OF tho case
| The function OF this committee is merely tS
conduct a fair investigation. 30 that botf
sides may be presented to the public Th'
farmers are sensible men. and we believ'
| that they will show willingness to do wha
is right"
c. H. Preston, director OF the Chester
County Farm Bureau. and one OF the organ
lzers OF an association OF farmers In Chester
County 20 boost the price of milk. declares
today that the farmers In the entire Phila
delphia milk zone would within three o.
four weeks demand ~ cents per quar-
| from the philadelphia dealers. He said tina
the farmers would also insist that tn
freight charges be shifted from the farme
/ 20 the dealer. The freight charges amour
20 about one-haif per cent per quart an'
this means that Philadelphia dealers will
be asked six cents per quart for milk
FARMERS BELLIoEfENT
.qf the dealers attempt tofhold up tn
farmers and refuse our price We VAL siN
them a showdown In short order. Ther
viii be no dickering with the milk dealer
OF Philadelphia. We are perfecting nshtin
orranizations In Chester, Lancaster. Della
ware. Bucks and Montgomery counties, an
similar unions OF farmers are being forme
IN South Jersey. Maryland and Delawars
In a short time We will be able 70 present
solid front TO philadelphia dealers.
sarhers are approximately 10000 cows 4
Chester County. and the milk from ever
one OF these cows At present goes TO Phils
deIphia- II the dealers won't meet this prlc
they cannot have our milk"
Asked what he thought the dealers Q
Philadelphia should charge the consumer Z
meet the advance In price proposed by tn
farmers. Mr., Preston said;
'AThe farmers are wiling TO concede
VIII cost about four cents a quart 10 'delive
milk That Includes the profit OF the dealel
and would u<I14Gii4la him CIarzIuM a