New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-05
State to Get Charges by
Both Sides-Hopes to
Break Deadlock.
PROSECUTOR FEARS
MENACE TO CITY
Woes of Producers and
Farmers Told to Mayor
Public To Be Heard.


into the charges Of conspiracy arising
from the deadlock between milk dis
tributers here and members of the
Dairymen's League will open at lO;3o
tomorrow morning at 299 Broadway
Many witnesses will be called.
Testimony will be taken before
Colonel William n. Dykman, Brook
Ign attorney who has been prominent
in Democratic politics for many years
He was appointed referee in the case
yesterday by Justice Blur, who acted
upon an application presented by Az
torney General Woodbury.. Merton Z.
Lewis, First Deputy Attorney General
will conduct the examination for the
state.
Scope OF Investigation.
Explaining the purpose and scope CT
the investigation, formal statement
issued last evening from the local
Offices of the Attorney General SAID:
complaint has been made to A.
torney General Woodbury. by the deal
ers and distributors of milk in New
York City against the so-called Dairy
mems League for violation Of the Don
nelly anti-monopoly act. Counter
charges have similarly been made, by
milk producers and those interested IN
their behalf, the dealers and distrib-
uters of milk in New York City are
likewise violators Of this act
an view Of the serious results which
might attend an increasing shortage in
the milk supply of New York City and
the vital necessity of preventing such a
condition, the Attorney General Is
undertaking an investigation II the
charges and counter charges thus made.
The investigation involves, of neces-
sity, an examination into the conduct
and methods of milk production and
distribution and the cost TO the con-
sumers in this city.
Seek Facts in Case.
"The purpose Of this inquiry is 10 de-
tcrmine, fairly and impsrtlally, how
far there may have been unlawful COM
binstons in restraint OF trade for con-
trolling the price OF this important
necessity OF life.
"The Attorney Generals Office recog-
nizes, at the beginning, no right side
or wrong side of the question" Mr..
Lewis said last night. 1--WE are enter
ing the investigation absolutely i'm
A. A Iva to In
justice} to both sides. ] wish IL dis
tinctly understood that the proceeding
is not prosecution. but is merely an
examination to determine whether a
conspiracy has been entered into by
any group of men"
Colonel Dykman. who will sit as ref
cree in the hearing. is prominent
member OF the New York Bar. He was
appointed a member OF the Civil Ser
vice Board by Mayor Van Wyck in 1898
and is a personal friend of Democratic
Leader John II. McCooey, Of Brooklyn.
ave merely wanted to get at the
viewpoint OF the milk producers was
the Attorney Generals comment at s
y. m, when committee representing
the Dairymen's League left his Office
Mr.. Woodbury. and Mr. Lewis spent
on hour discussing the deadlock with
Commissioner Dillon, r. II. Thomson,
vice president, and X. ID. Cooper, chair
man Of the executive committee of the
league.
Understand, We have made no in
vestigstion Of the milk producers or
ranization," Mr.. Woodbury. added. I'VE
are here to be OF assistance in adjust
ing this acute situation. III we md,
after thorough investigation, that the
deadlock cannot be adjusted, there may
be some action taken.
Relief for City Planned.
81 understand that the purpose Of the
conference at the Mayors to-day was
to take steps to bring New York's milk
supply here promptly" Mr.. Lewis said.
There were two parties at those con
ferences, the milk distributors and the
representatives. of the milk producers.
"There is a third party to this dis
pute, however. which it seems 10 me
was not thoroughly represented at the
Mayors conferences. although the Dis
trict Attorney was present. | refer TO
the consumers of milk the general
public. The Dsirymen's League Off
Gals we're there TO insist on the price
that they demand from the dIstribut-
ing firms. Representatives Of the
dealers we're there to insist on the
price they are willing TO pay to the
farmers. But there was no one at the
| Mayors Office to insist Oh the reason
able and fair price at which milk
should be sold TO the consumer.
This price might be determined
with propriety, il seems TO me, as
result Of the investigation Of the coun-
tor charges Of monopoly made By both
sides. In view Of these allegations, IL
is the duty Of the Attorney Generals
Office to represent the consumers, to
the extent that they will not be re
quired 10 pay an excessive price for
milk after both cost of production and
, cost OF, distribution have been consid-
ered.""
ado you expect that your invcstiga-
tion will result in an official price for
milk to the consumer" Mr.. Lewis was
asked.
NO" he replied. "but the investiga-
ton may disclose conditions under
which a fair and reasonable price to
the consumer may be determined"
Carl Beck, secretary Of the citizens
committee or the rights Of labor Of
the Labor Forum. promised Mr.. Lewis
several citizens. including Frederic C..
Howe, Commissioner Of immigration,
would appear at the investigation to
speak for the consumer.