News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-01-26
PROPOSED RAISE IN RATES
MorrisviIle Man Gives Facts of
Interest to Milk and Cream
Shippers.

!
Interest to Milk and Cream
I Shippers.
Editor Ne,os and Citizen:-
AS most shippers of milk know, the
Boston d Maine r. r. advertised some
months ago raise in their milk ano
cream rates. The Interstate Commerce
Commission held up the advance in rates
aud set Feb. 18th as date for the heal.
ing ON the proposed increase.
A The initiative OF the New Hampshire
State Grange, a meeting was called IN
Boston Jan. 2lst, and the representatives
of the dairy interests asked TO send del
egates. Representatives from several of
the Dairymen's Associations, State
Oranges and Dairy interests IN New Eng
land were present. The Commissioners,
not being able to attend. delegated us
to 60 in his stead, we being the only rep
resentative from Vermont. Representa-
tlves of the Boston q Maine and Maine
Central railroads and large contractors
appeared and presented their side of the
question.
Mr.. West, representing the Boston u
Maine h. r., claimed the proposed in
crease would increase the revenue of
their milk and cream business about 20
per cent, or $4,000 year, but the
contractors thought it would mean at
least 30 1-3 per cent increase.
The proposed increase would affect
some parts of Maine more than other
parts OF New England, as they now en-
joy special privileges in fast milk trains
of about Is per cent of the average cost
of such service in New England. This
puts us at disadvantage in competing
with them.
Our present law is zone system. The
proposed change makes an incIeaseof one
Per cent Can of 8 IL quarts for the LIST
three zones, or up to 100 miles, from 10l
miles to $50, no change; from Isl to 200
miles, one cent can; over 200 miles, two
cents can. In some parts of Maine
this difference would amount to 81 0c for
quart day for year, or an increase
from $1.55 to $3.50 for quart day for
a year.
For full car rates the proposed change
does not affect the short haul rates, but
increases with the distance. Now all
distances over 1855 miles take the same
rate.
The proposed change increases with
the distance above the 1865 miles. fns
of course materially effects northern Vel-
mont, but the added cost for extra dis
lance does not look so unreasonable uu-
til we compare it with rates from NJ cut
gan, which for pasteurized cream are not
much above what our rates wouln be
when the proposed change is made. A ter
adding this increase in milk rates the
change puts all cream at so
Der cent rate above milk A can of cream
5 not as heavy as can of milk yet 1t is
to give it a so per cent extra
ate because of its extra value. Under
his ruling where does skim milk, whole
milk, Is per cent and 40 per cent cream
ome in?
The railroads lose nothing by keep
ng the same car rates on short hauls as
hey have practically no such cars now.
Other interests put up great fight on
per cent raise in rates. What are the
PRODUCERS of milk and cream going to do
The consumers will curtail consumpti on
asked to stand this. Pure milk and
ream are the cheapest and most health
ul articles of diet on the market today.
'utter production has been going west,
nd New England milk and cream should
e sued largely as such. Will the rail-
Dads drive the cream industry west also? |
The railroads have asked for big raise |
nd will make fight before the Inter- |
tate Commerce Commission for as much |
it as they Can get. Will the dairymen
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont,
rho are the principal parties to be effect
d, cooperate and have their interests
iOocutSu DtltTe the commission which
to give hearing on this rate question
eb. 18th?
The Dairymen's Associations, State
ranges and other farmers organizations
Maine and New Hampshire nave con-
towards fund to be used for
ais purpose. Vermont should do the
ame. 1t takes money for these legiti-
tate expenses. A committee of one
'ember from Maine, New Hampshire,
'ermont and Massachusetts, was elected
formulate plans for meeting the efforts
the railroads and prevent as much of
lis increase in rates as possible.
Hon. A. w. Bartlett of Salisbury,
lass, was elected treasurer of this
and all contributions can be
mt to him. Individual farmers, cream
les, the State Grange and Dairymen's
ssociation should help. The time is
tort and those interested should act at