New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-14
Farmers officials and Deal
ers' Representatives
Unable to Agree
Three Courses Offered
City's Bill Will Increase
100000 a Year if
Demands Are Met

Officials Of the Dairymen's League,
representing practically every farmer
shipping milk to New YORK City. and
the conference committee of the New
York State Milk Dealers Conferences
Board, said to represent all the big
milk companies, discussed for moro
than six hours yesterday at , Rector
Street the farmers demands for an
increased price for their milk.
At the end of the meeting, which
was held behind closed doors, IL was
said that no agreement had been
reached and that the conference board
did not have the power to bind its
members.
All the large milk companies sent
representatives to the meeting, though
their names were kept secret, as was
detailed information Of what occurred.
Three Alternatives offered
1t was said. however. that the deal-
ers could choose one of three alterns-
tives in meeting the farmers demands.
They could consolidate into one giant
company, go out Of business altogether
or grant the increases asked. Should
the last action be taken it would result
probably in a raise in price TO the
consumer, which, If only one cent
quart. would increase the city's milk
bill about slO.O0O,OO0 year. Il was
admitted. moreover, tnat the companies
counted usually on making a large pro-
portion Of their profits curing the sum-
mer months.
!. Elkin Nathans. secretary of the con-
ference board. gave out this statement
from the conference committee and the
league officers concerning the meeting;
an connection with the announce
ment by the Dairymen's League Of the
prices for milk TO be purchased from
April | TO September 30, inclusive, the
conference committee Of the New YORK
State Milk Dealers Conference Board
requested a committee from the league
to call upon them and set forth their
proposition. This conference was held
to-day.
Representatives of the Dairymen's
League presented their proposition and
submitted arguments dealing with the
cost of production and cond ltions on
the farms in support of the prices
asked. Particular attention was called
70 the high cost Of feed, the scarcity or
labor and other items Of expense te
the producer of unusual character.
Increase Discussed
e Tho eopFar
cnce board called attention TO the rae
that these prices as suggested Woue
mean material advance above those
raid during the same period Of 1916,
ard. while recognizing very material
difference in farming conditions and an
increase in the cost Of production, eN-
messed the view that, II possible,
II rther increase TO the consumer should
be avoided. -
mo conclusion was reached in tho
matter. and no agreement on the part
of either the distributors or the pro-
Gucers was entered into; IN fact the
committee from the conference board
stated clearly they had no power 20
enter into an agreement, and that the
right Of contract rested with their IN
dividual members
Mr.. Nathans refused 20 say what the
tenor Of the meeting had been, comm
ing himself to the statement that mo
blood was shed"
The Dairymen's League was repre-
sented at the meeting by r. ID. Cooper,
president; +. II. Thomson, vice-presi-
dent. and Albert Manning. secretary.
Unusually large quantities Of eggs
and potatoes received in the city yes
terday are expected 10 lower further
within "a few days the retail prices.
The Mayors Committee on Food Sup
ply received an additional consignment
OF 10000 pounds Of Pacific Coast
smclts. About 100000 pounds more are