New-York tribune., 1920-01-19
Dairy League Calls
State Milk Control
Akin to Bolshevism
Fair Price Boards Proposal.
(which Will Make Lenine
Gray With Envy" Is De-
clared To Be Autocratic

Opposition to the creation Of a state
commission to control the milk in
dustry from the COW to the consumer"
as proposed by the Fair Price Milk
Committee, of which DR.. Royal s. Cope
land, the Health Commissioner, is
chairman, is increasing rapidly. ac-
cording to officers of the Dairymen's
League.
John d. Miller. vice president of the
league, in q statement issued yester-
day. said:
"This ambitious program differs from
the Bolshevist program in Russia only
that in Russia all property is to be
nationalized, while here only farms
and herds are to be nationalized. In
principle they differ not at all, only in
power and control of his property
strips him Of every attribute of owner
ship save only the privilege of paying
taxes
"The question naturally suggests it.
self why, if the state is to fix prices
of food, should it not also fix prices
Of all other necessities. We assume
that the committee will admit that
medicine and medical attendance are
necessities. If the price of milk is
20 be fixed by the state why should
prescr bed the amount Of milk in a
diet a so he fixed by tie state ?"
"This committee proposes to give q
milk commissi ion of three political ap-
pointees power and control over 50 900
100000 worth OF property owned by
other men, with the power to fix prices
on TIE products of such properties.
This in effect is fixing the prices upon
the properties also, FOR the value of a
farm is measured by the value of its
products The owners of these farms,
however are to have no voice in fixing
such prices or in naming the men who
are to fix them.
''As political propaganda the report
may satisfy its authors. but as q solu-
tion of an indu trial and economic
problem it is hopeless.
"The milk commission is to have
power also to make orders and rules,
VIC alton of w sha be 3 n $
demeanor, punishable by fine of $500,
or a year in prison, or both. This
means that the Legislature will be
asked to delegate TO three political
appointees of the Governor the power
to enact criminal laws. This proposal
will make Lenine grow gray with
envy.
"No government, except an auto
cratic one. can rxNcute uch % Vers
and the more such powers are con-
ferred upon government the more auto
cratic it will be.
"The whole plan is designed to sub
stitute a government by bureaus for a
government of legislatures, a govern
nent by autocratic rules for govern
mrnt of law.
"To compel TIE farmer to sell his
product in regulated market and buy
al of his supplies and necessities in
an unregu ated market not only vio-
ates every principle OF justice but
would result in intolerab.e confusion
md chaos that would at once be re-
hected in an appalling decrease in pro
duction.
"There is no reason why milk should
BE singled out for state rcgul alton at
present prices. 1t is cheaper than beef.
mutton. poultry, eggs or any other
form of animal fat food. 1t has ad
vanced in price less than other foods,
and less than clothing or shoes. The
price of milk to farmers is less, as
compared with costs of production,
than the price of any other commodity.
at is difficult to understand why q
committee of such high intelligence
hould make Il report that can only add
to the confusion and uncertainty al
ready existing by recommending legis-
iation that if enacted and held to be
valid would drive the dairy farmers Of
the state out of business"