New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-11
THINKS PASTEURIZATION NEEDLESS
A Dairy Farmer Advocates Milk from the
Old Red Cow.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: | am milk producer, and having
lived in the city for twenty years, and hav-
ing been on both sides Of the counter, feel
that am fairly familiar with the situation
and | ask that you consider few facts.
The farmer has never made the price on his
own product or attempted to until now. All
Of his products, especially milk, have been
bought upon the milk companies APPRAISAL
and heretofore he has taken just what has
been offered to him. If he buys The Tribune
or its advertising columns The Tribune makes
the price; he pays that price or he lets II
alone. We believe that you will hold with US
that that is fair. Our price for milk is not
out of proportion, for it is not the price that
stops the milk companies from buying our
milk, but because we come to them through
the medium of the league. Now this being
the case we are in nowse responsible for the
shortage of milk.
We have two milk companies here, four
miles apart but strange to say no competl-
ton. Prices practically the same at both
places IL so happens at this time that the
farmers of this locality prefer to make butter
or cheese, and while no doubt some would
ship If the leagues price were paid, there is
large number of the producers who would
prefer TO keep their milk at home, making
cheese and butter thereby saving the skim
milk or whey, which is one of the best FOODS
and not procurable otherwise, for the raising
of young stock, hogs, etc, owing to the de-
mand for young stock, and giving net proflt
far more substantial than even the prices
asked by the league to-day.
The large milk companies have been a
great factor in the legislative halls, gradually
weaving legislative webs to make it almost
I'D ,ril al 70 ma RI OF
milk in your city Now, this being so. and
believe it is, with competitive functions TO
exercise, what other alternative is there lett
for the farmer but to join the league?
IL is fact, so far as my knowledge goes,
that little profit has accrued where the sell
ing of milk alone has been practised. The
farmer generally has been slow to change
his methods and a very strong victim OF
habit. and as the big milk companies check
was always sure it has been very lmpor-
tant factor in holding the farmer in this rut.
He let the Bordens or the Shetiields do the
thinking; but not so now. The farmer Is
thinking fast and is more alert TO the posi-
biities than ever before.
The price of milk TO the consumer has
gradually crept up, but the price the farmer
has received has shown very little increase.
We believe that milk can be retaied in your
city for less money than you are paying to-
day and still give the farmer more than he
has ever had, and he must have il IL he stays
in business.
am told that some of the milk companies
have offered more for milk than the league
asks. This being so, and believe it is, then
why do they not buy the milk? The league
has plenty at fair price, price based on
actual conditions
Do you believe that the profits Of the big
milk concerns have been fair and not ex-
orbitanti Would it not be fair, especially at
this time, to all concerned to know something
Of thisl The milk companies have exaeted
directly and indirectly many expensive alter
atons, and useless and unnecessary equip
ment and labor. so that at the present time
il costs the farmer far more for this item
alone. The farmer heretofore has been de-
pendent entirely upon these said milk COM
panies to market the milk. agree with your
editorial that the farmers themselves cannot
sell their milk in New York.
My father was ono Of the hrst ten OF