New-York tribune., 1919-11-20
Boycott Against
High Milk Prices
Called Off Here
Community Councils Heads
and Dealers Claim Vic.
tory; Strike Resumption
To Be Discussed Sunday

The milk boycott, called by the com.
munity councils of this city as pro-
test against high milk prices. ended
yesterday, with both officials of the
councils and the milk distribution COM
panies claiming victory.
NO figures on the volume of milk
refused by consumers were given out
by the councils officials. but they de-
clared that their object OF organizing
the consumers for protest lad been
achieved.
Patrick D. Fox, vice-president of
nounced that only four families had
refused to buy milk from his company.
1--WE feel that the attitude OF the
consumers in ignoring the boycott is
recognition by them Of our efforts to
serve them with milk as cheap,y as
possible" he declared. "We regard
with favor the fact that virtually eycry
family refused to be swayed by the
constant endeavors to falsely r,present
our position: On Sunday night at the
meeting called by the Community
Councils at tine Biltmore, we hone to
be allowed to give our side of the milk
situation"
Freight Receipts Normal
The city's railroad freight milk re-
ceipts were reported as normal yes
terday, indicating that distributors had
not cut orders from the producers. l.
Elkin Nathans, secretary of the New
York Milk Conference Board, the dis
tributors' organization, said that re-
ports from the members had contained
no evidences of falling off in the de-
mand for milk.
The strike, or boycott, was deter
mined upon at q meeting on Tuesday
OF the parliament, or central bod OF
the community councils. The resolution
only 'Iggested the passage of a boy
colt resolution by each Of the eight
councils in the city. In accordance
with the resolutions passed by most of
the councils, the members were to ab-
stain from the use of milk, except for
children, on Monday, Tuesda and
Wednesday of each week. At the meet
lng at the Biltmore on Sunday night
it will be decided whether or not ia
continue the strike.
1t was announced that next week the
community councils would begin an en-
rolment drive, because at present il
does not adequately cover the city.
Arthur Williams, Federal Food Ad.
mlnistrator, testifying at yesterday s
! session of the inquiry of the Fair Price
Milk Committee in City Hall. said the
present system of milk distribution was
improper and partly responsible for
high prices. and that with the duplca-
ton of effort on the part of the milk
companies the distributors we're re
ceiving profit of less than one half
cent quart, despite the high cost
of milk. He urged the creation of g
state comm ssion with power to recu-
late the milk traffic, including pro
ouctlon and distribution, naming prices
for both
Philadelphia Situation
Arthur V. Turner, an inspector of the
Health Department, was called upon to
give resume of the milk stribution
situation in Philadelphia, which he was
detailed to inves stigate recently.
He said milk sold for four cents less
a quart than here, although the price
to the farmer was the same. Carriers
de lver 400 to 700 quarts Of milk 6
day. instead of slightly more than $50
as in New York, he reported They re.
ceive no fixed salary, but were paid 6
commission Of II per cent on their ccl
! lcctions. Their incomes ranged fron
$40 to $40 week. The drivers were
not organized, he said.
dealCn commissioner ROya ). Cope
land. chairman Of the Fair Price Mill
Committee, declared that he favored
the abolition of the present system Of
grading milk. A mother should be ablc
to purchase any grade of mi k, he said
and be assured her CHI d will receive
the proper amount of butter fat ant
other nutr tive ingredients.
The next session will be held or
Tuesday at 2:30 m. in the City Hall.