The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-09
FARMERS DECIDED
TO AFFILIATE WITH
NEW ENGLAND ASSN
Barre Milk Producers Listened to Talk
By E. 0. Colby Of Whitefeld, N. H.,
Who Told Them of Benefits of
Concerted Action

Thirty Barre milk producers, members
of the association of that name and com
prising very large majority of the
prominent dairymen in the immediate vi
cinity of the city met in Worthen hal
this forenoon to consider proposal Il
affiliate with the New England Milk Pro
ducers' association. The president of the
local association, Merton L. Town, acted
as chairman, and the speakers were
County Agent It. H. Abbott and Il. O
Colby of Whitefield, N. H., president OF
the New England association. Mr.. Alb
bott spoke briefly ON the purpose of the
call sent out to each Barre milk producer
and then told of the conditions which are
confronting them. His remarks antici.
pated the decrease in the wholesale price
of milk that is expected in March or
April and his counsel was for pursuing
policy of preparedness. Two hundred
thousand New England farmers own 800,-
600 cows, he said, and they have a right
to be heard when ii comes To fixing prices
for their products in closing, he de-
clared that the 65 milk producers in
Barre and vicinity should listen carefully
to the plans outlined by MIR. Colby.
More than $l00,000,0O0 was spent In
New England for milk and dairy prod
ucts last year, according to Pres. Colby,
who prefaced his appeal for cooperation
with a resume of the injustiees practiced
by milk contractors with the assistance
Of the railroads. He gave specific in
stance in New Hampshire where only one
"open" car to the big markets was avail
able. Contractors leased all the other
milk cars and producers were faced with
the necessity of letting their product 20
at the price fixed BY the contractor.
Since the organization of the New Eng
land association some of the evils have
been remedied, but much remains to be
accomplished.
In short, Mr.. Colby proposed to enlist
the cooperation Of the local unit in the
effort to secure for the farmers of New
England the rights that are theirs. His
plan was to have the Barre association
represented by its president at a county
me 'rg to be held at the capital to-
mo- W. when ii Is hoped to form conn
ty association. Each county association
is to'be represented by its president at
the annual meeting OF the New England
association to be held in Boston late in
the present month. AT that time the
viii be revised and steps will
be taken to promote the interests of the
farmers in the delivery of their spring
milk.
Before the conference had been under
way very long sentiment in favor OF 60.
operation began 10 crystalize and when
The president submitted the question to
! referendum, the motion to affiliate |
with the New England association was
carried without a dissenting vote. II |
was explained that 1aa Barre aIilk Pro |
fncers' association is to preserve its
original individuality. although it win /
be counted as the local representative I
II the association. The president and an.
,ther member win probably represent (
he local association at the county meet. /
ng tomorrow.
The last half hour of the meeting was
siven over largely to registration, every
me of the farmers present appendinc 7
lis name to membership certificate. 1t
s expected that most of the members
Who were unable to be present this fore
loon win eventually sign up.