The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-12-16
MILK PRODUCERS
HEAR OF CONDITIONS
w. p. Davis, Assistant Manager of the
New England Milk Producers
Association, Spoke in
Barre

The Barre branch of the New Eng
land Milk Producers association held
its annual entertainment and banquet
in Worthen hall last evening. K. S.
Brigham, commissioner of agriculture
of the state of Vermont, who was ex-
pected to address the gathering of pro-
ducers and their families, was unable
to be present. being detained at a
grange meeting in st. Johnsbury.
A very pleasing program had been
arranged by the committee in charge
presided over by NJ. L. Towne, presi-
dent of the local and county associa-
tions. The order of entertainment fol-
lows: Piano solo, Miss Mary Allen;
reading, Earle Winter; baritone solo,
A. G. Bigelow, with Miss Bessie Spear
accompanying; reading, DR.. Frank M.
Lynde, and piano solo, Miss Silvia
Beaulieu.
w. p Davis, assistant manager of
the New England Milk Producers asso-
citation, came from Boston to speak
briefly on the organization of the pres
ent association, and on the future pros
poets of milk production, sales and
prices. In speaking of the present or
ganization, Mr.. Davis explained that it
was the immediate outcome of par
tial strike on the part of producers in
1916, which proved more of an aggrava-
ton to the dealers than complete ty
ing up of the milk trade. Associations
had been formed as far back as 1888
and 1890 with the same purposes in
view as the present one but had failed,
due to inadequate financing.
Previous to the formation of any or
ganizations whatsoever the individual
producer had been forced TO do business
with the five large dealers corpora
tions. The result had been unsatisfae-
tory, causing competition among the
producers, eventually lowering their
business. The final organization had
been brought about as a safeguard to
the producers interests.
At present there are approximately
$4,000 members OF the New England.
Milk Producers association, consisting
OF local, county and the general
branches. The directors at general
headquarters, which are elected two
from each state and three at large,
elect from their body a sales commit
tee of five to take charge of all the
interests of the association which may
come under selling, utilizing several
to more competently carry
on their work, The directing manager
is employed by the directors and at
any time may be removed by them,
thereby indirectly placing the control
Of the whole in the hands of each and
every producer.
A review of the chart of the location
of the local branches showed that Yer
mont held first place in the ranks of
the New England states with $50. of
these organizations. The southern part
of Maine, the Connecticut valley and
southern part of New Hampshire, the
Worcester and Springfield sections of
Massachusetts,, the eastern part of
Connecticut, and scattering sections of
Rhode Island with one or two in east
ern New York locate the remaining
members.
An analysis of the chart of sales and
purchases for many years back indi-
Gated that production was at all times
in excess of sales, quite often very
much so. The result was the complicat
ing of a schedule of prices making
what nearly every local has granted
the necessary endorsement of the rat
ing plan. Under this method prices win
be fixed monthly with reference to the
sales and purchases taken by months
of the preceding year. At the general
meeting of the association held in Bos
ton Jan. 25th this plan will be brought
up for adoption.
A difficult situation j. presented to
the milk men at the present time in
that production has been very high
due to the favorable fall and early
winter weather On the other hand the
market has fallen off in regards to the
by products of milk on account Of the
waiting game" played by large deal
srs. The speaker attributed Barre pro-
iucers' good fortune at this time to
heir adequate tsystem. 1t had only
words of praise for the cooperative
,reamery and lor the tuberculin test |
These two facts were
in providing Barre with a
market for its products In closing, |
ne mentioned that il is inevitable under |
he existing conditions that the price
would fan. and he urged all to rally to
he support of the association in this
natter
At the end of the entertainment over
100 people were treated to fine chick |
n pie supper, served by the ladies aux
liary to the Sons of Veterans with
Mrs. f. f. Perry and Mrs. Charles
iauthier in charge Collins orchestra
played during the banquet and later
or the dancing.
The committee in charge Of the en-
ire evenings proceedings was composed
Il Charles Gordon, Arthur Phelps and
I. A. Cumming Of the local associs-
ion.
TOM4N PAID FINE