New-York tribune., 1919-11-17
Health Commissioner Says
Price Protest Plan of
10000 Council Mem.
bers Will Do No Good
Favors Store Distribution
Fair Cost Committee Will
Meet To-day and Consider
State Commission Scheme

milk planned by the Community Coun-
ellis to begin this morning, suggested
yesterday that the public ignore the
move as a matter of health.
The Community Councils had decided
on the boycott each Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday until prices either were
lowered or the present high prices
satisfactorily explained.
AS solution of the milk problem,
Dr.. Copeland asserted the plan would
not only be ineffective, but would place
the lives of q large portion of the
population in jeopardy. Milk, he de-
clared. must be included in the uni
versal dietary no matter what its price,
and that it is our cheapest food at
sioner, he said, it was his duty to
discourage any such temporary absti-
nance.
$4,000 To Join in Boycott
He suggested that the boycott be
postponed till the Fair Price Milk
Committee. of which he is the head,
had formulated its conclusions and
presented it's plans for solving the
milk problem Officials of the Com
munity Councils, however, said that
so far no change in the plans for
the boycott had been made and that
the $4,000 members of the councils
would undoubtedly forego the use Of
the product to-day.
1t was stated in other quarters that
in view of the stand taken by Com
missioner Copeland the council lead
ers may be persuaded to reconsider
their action at meeting of the Fair
Price Committee at 10:30 a. m. to-day
in City Hall. There will also be taken
up at this meeting the proposal for
che appointment of state milk COM
mission to handle the entire question,
a,suggestion made by Arthur Williams,
Federal Food Administration.
Other schemes designed to enforce
more economical methods of distribu-
tion that will be considered by the
committee include the zoning Of the
city and contining the activities of
certain dealers to certain sections, and
the use of the corner grocery store
as the medium of general distribution
DR.. Copeland said he was strongly in
favor of the last mentioned proposi.
tion, in that it would give those who
want to save money by applying per-
sonally for their milk an opportunity
10 do SO.
doubts wisdom OF Plan
With regard to the boycott, Com
missioner Copeland said:
II can see that a boycott against the
dealers III cheese or overcoats or
pianos, or almost any other article Of
commerce, might cause a glut in the
market and result in q material re-
duction in price. But as to milk, I
have serious doubts of accomplishing
much by the use Of the boycott. Milk
js perishable. It can not be stored to
await suitable market. Should the
boycott be city-wide and extend over
a prolonged period of time. at it's end
there would be no surplus of milk to
be sold cheaply.
offers no ultimate economic advantage
80 the city. The boycott might be
resorted to if the milk dealers we're
to be punished and thus taught a
wholesome lesson. AS matter of
TACT, however, it is quite probable
they have already warned the farmer
producer to be prepared to keep part
of his milk because of the possibility
that some loss will be required for q
who, as usual, will be the sufferer.
Would Lose but One-Sixtieth
"Let it be borne in mind that the
milk distributed to homes is only about
one-third of the total of sales Of milk
were ready to live up to the boycott
for three days il would mean that
one-half of one-tenth of one-third OF
the milk offered the city would be re-
Jected. The penalty paid by each
dealer would amount to one-siXtieth OF
his daily profit. Just what this would
mean in dollars and cents nobody but
(, h, An L
an amount so small comparatively as
readily to be passed on to the farmer
ut is my duty as Commissioner of
Health to conserve the health of the
community. discourage, therefore
any such temporary deprivation of the
communitys milk supply. The infan,
must have it, 1t is essential to the
child. 1t is important to the adult
Should there be lessening of milk
purchased three days a week for a
number of weeks there might be many
persons who would decide that milk
can be done without or at least can
be purchased just as we'll in lesser
amounts. No matter what its price
milk must be included in the univer-
sal dietary Al any price it might
command 1t is our cheapest food.
Can Accomplish No Good
az am sure no one can deny that
am consistent fighter for cheape,
milk. No one Is less likely to be
charged with holding any brief foi
the milk barons. l should not be
I honest. however. If supported the
proposed boycott. l must state frankly
and unhesitatingly that to my mind Il
can accomplish no possible good. Or
the other hand. by involing the farme,
Just as we are beginning to show him
tnat his cause and the cause Of the
consumer is q common one. the boy.
cott will probably do real harm. Muct
AS regret to oppose the views OF
hundreds OF our loyal citizens who
are seeking to help in the battle
must express the opinion that the
boycott might better be postponed
until the Fair Price Milk Committed
has formulated its conclusions ane
presented its plans"
Lotion Horton, president of the
Sheffield Farms Company, made pub
Tic letter yesterday which he ad
dressed TO George Gordon Battle
counsel and chairman for the Com.
munity Councils. In criticism Of The
contemplated boycott. He pointed ou,
that the action of the councils was
taken apparently without investigating
the matter and invited the organiza.
ZION to take up the subject with him
Incredible, Says Horton
Mr. Horton asserted that the pro
jected action was "the most eXtraor-
dinary Way of iindinc ont - the IN