Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-07

One Public Representative
Held Inadequate on Price
Fixing Board.

One man to represent the people OF
the District on the committee which
has been proposed to fix the winter
nrice of milk would not be ample rep
resentation. in the opinion of w. B.
westlake, president of the Federation
of Citizens Associations
The Maryland and Virginia Milk
Producers Association susgested ;e ed the the
formation ora commas hrshir t3 IN n 'he he
made up as follows: One producer
one local dairyman. one representa-
tive of the Maryland Agricultural
college, one from the Virginia state
College. Health Officer Fowler and a
delegate from the federation.
Voices Dissatisfaction.
DR.. Fowler already has declined to
serve on the committee. and today
Mr. westlake wrote to Thomas E. Nc.
I,aughlin of the producers association
vo;cine dissatisfaction with the plan
to have only one person on the COM
mittee to speak for the consumers.
It is probable that Mr.. Westlake
will not decide definitely whether to
appoint a representative until the
nroducers' association has had time
tn consider his suggestion for larger
representation.
The winter price becomes effective
October 1, so that there is little time
left in which to organize the pro-
nosed committee and carry on the
investieation to determine the cost
of producing milk.
price May BE a Cents n Gallon.
It is probable that the winter
wholesale price to the dairymen will
he about A cents gallon.
Mr.. Westlake's letter to the pro-
ducers follows:
II have your letter of August 80,
asking that the Federation Of Cit
izens Associations provide a member
for the committee to investigate con-
ditions surrounding the production
and distribution of milk for Wash
inrton and to recommend fair
price to be paid producers for the
period beginning octoner hasn ,ndss !. dszo.
sderation, and while it is the pur-
nose of the Federation of Citizens
4 associations to cooperate wherever
il can for the general good of the
community. l am inclined to the opin-
posed committee is not likely to re-
! suit satisfactorily.
.The committee made up as suggested
would be able to pass upon technical
matters: but, without prejudice to the
personnel of the committee it would
seem to me that its sympathies would
be largely with the producers. and any
COMMITTEES which Is to fix a price af-
fecting the food supply OF nearly a hall
million people should contain a proper
tionate representation Of those people.
Wants Thorough Probe.
"The Federation Of Citizens Associa.
tions is not inclined to fight prices sim
ply on the ground that it wants them
reduced. Any investigation in which II
participates must, to satisfy its methods
| be very thorough, and must take very
| thoroughly into consideration the side
and interests of the people.
might l put it to you this way? We
all recognize that present economic con.
ditions make 1t highly desirable from
the standpoint of the producer that
prices increase, but from the standpoint
Of the consumer. especially in Washing.
ton. It Is Just as desirable that prices
he reduced. Therefore, I feel that the
federation should not participate in a
price-nxing effort except under condi-
lions IN which the public Is amply rep.
resented"