The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-11-07
Barre Milk Pre- : GERS to Ask
80 Cents ( . an from
Re : lers
ABOUT 1000 QUARTS
DELIVERED DAILY
Barre Milk Producers Asso-
citation Was Reorgan-
lied Last Night

Following a conference of a few of the
milk producers in and around Barre a
meeting of the Barre Milk Producers as
sociation was called and held last night
at the South Barre grange hall. Over 40
of the 60 milk producers were in attend
ance. They met to discuss and consider
the cost of producing milk and the price
obtained for it. The meeting was called
to order ~ the former president, G. H.
Gordon, and the meeting was imm ediate-
| ly open for discussion. Nearly everyone
| present had some opinions and sugges-
| tions to offer
All were convinced that it was impos-
sible to continue producing milk at the
present price of four and one half cents
quart without actual money loss. This
was brought about by the high prices for
cows, feed and labor. Many of the men
present had individual circumstances to
relate as to the cost of producing milk.
Figures from other states were quoted.
Prof. Lindsey of the Massachusetts sta
tion reports that it costs 4.3l cents per
quart to produce milk in New England,
or Sl.94 per 100 pounds. Health author
tiles are demanding better dairy methods
and this. with the increased cost of la Dor,
grain and tools, makes il necessary to
raise the price of milk in order to allow
the farmer living. 1t was stated that
it costs 5.3s cents quart to produce
milk in Massachusetts AIS cents in Con
neeticut and 4.3l cents in New York.
These figures and the related experiences
nj fhpSn lp1 10 idaripo tla
problem of how to get more for the milk
AT present butter fat prices were said
to be not in keeping with the cost of pro-
duction. Neither is the price asked for
milk in Barre III keeping with the cost
OF production or the price obtained for
butter fat. In view of these considera
tions it was concluded to reorganize the
Barre Milk Producers association and
forthwith NJ. /. Towne was elected presi
dent and A. l.. Smith secretary.
1t was then voted to elect a committee
of three to look more closely into the
possibilities of running a milk car
through Barre in opier that the farmers
here can have the advantage of offering
milk to the Hood company at their pres
ent scale of prices, which is practically
five cents quart delivered at the local
railroad station. According to Mr.. Hoods
contracts, this price is good until the last
of April This committee will report
within a day or two on this possibility.
This, it was considered, would give the
farmers a better outlet for their produc
tion than they have at present either in
the sale of butter fat or the sale of milk
at four and one-half cents.
1t was next voted to establish the
price of milk sold to the local retailers
at the same as the Boston prices, namely,
50 cents can delivered to the local re-
taiers. The farmers present stood as a
unit on this question, every milk produc-
sr present being firmly convinced that
BY cooperation and unity of ideas they
an obtain a justifable price for their
milk. Every milk producer present was
over the proposition and all
agreed to refuse to sell milk to local re-
alters for less than 50 cents a can begin
ling Nov 10, 1916. until May |, 1917.
The spirit of cooperation at the meeting
vas exemplifed by the fact that those
Who are not at present selling to the re-
alters stood to a man in signing up with
hose whose milk is now sold to local re-
alters and who are demanding the rise
rom four and one.half to five cents.
about 1000 quarts of milk are delivered
ally in the city of Barre. The sentiment
f the meeting was to do as much as
to protect the retailers by re-
raining from starting individual milk
outes at cut prices.