New-York tribune., 1921-11-04

replied. 81 want to wait and give the
companies chance to make good on
their promise to distribute ct least
100000 quarts of milk of the re-
euired standard. or about ons-half Of
New York's normal supply. However,
the city is prepared to act, and it can
do anything in such situation as this.
At present the deprivation of citizens
of q sufficient quantity Of milk is a
menace to the city's health"
What Is the time limit for the COM
ranies to make good -
II will give them until Saturday, and
have made this clear to them. Also,
the milk must come up to standard.
I have received hundreds of complaints
getting poor milk or that they couldn't
get any at all. / warned the dealers
that they must not take advantage Of
strike conditions"
The Commissioner added that che
and the dealers had at least ono COM
mon cause, that Of getting the milk
distributed"
"Has the City of New York tho right
to take sides in this or any other
"No," he answered. II don't think
So"
Did you not take sides in your ad-
dress to the strikers in Madison Square
Garden, when you promised your sup
port and that of the Mayor and other
city officials to their cause7"
"Well, spoke for myself and the
Mayor in saying. that our sympathies
were with them"
"Was that not giving them = pledge
of the city's support?"
"Well, yes"
"Was Informing these 1l,ooo men,
excited at the moment, that you ware
behind them likely to provoke vio-
| lence?"
"If you were there you must have
! heard me plead to them to avoid vio-
lcnce and tell them that they would
ALLEVIATE public support it they engaged
in it. told them to 90 fishing"
"Has the right Of employers to hire
New York City,"
State Ready to Act
| 81 don't know as to that. But I do
not believe that the question of the
open shop should be brought into the
distribution of milk. There should be
no trifing with tho lives and health OF
the citizens"
Among those present at the confer.
ence was Michael J. Reagan. chief
mediator for the State Industrial Com,
state officials intended to take q hand
in the situation in the event that the
failure of the city to solve it would be
prolonged much further.
eyes, the state may act" he replied
"But I am not prepared just now tt
discuss any plans chat may be unde,
consideration. I know, however, thai
Governor Miller is keeping an eye OF
the strike"
| All Of the distributors interviewed
after the meeting were emphatic ir
declaring that they would maintain the
fight to a finishs and that they has
received hundreds Of letters from
citizens expressing approval Of theil
stand for the. open shop.
"The effecting OF an efficient oxgani
cation under the open shop will be sure
to result in decrease IN the price 0,
milk in New York and its vicinity
said Mr.. Fox, the Borden represents
tive. Had this strike not occurred
the price would have gone higher, II
accordance with the union rules ant
demands"
Another statement, obtained from
Charles Niedner, Of the Empire Stat'
Dairy Company, severely criticizes
Commissioner Copeland's connection
: with the strike.
Mayors Bowling Bee Is or
"Dr. Copeland WAS apprised Of tn,
deadlock existing between the com
panies and the men as late rs las
Thursday" he said. "That was tn,
time for him to have injected himsel
. into the situation, and not now, afte
the strike. which might have beel
averted, is in effect"
One sprightly bit of humor somewha
| alleyiated the serious deyoloDments O
| the day. This was the publication Of ,
! report that in tho belief of the city of
: ticials that they had the matter settle,
. Wednesday night, plans were prepare'
, for the Mayor to appear before tn
} strikers in Madison Square Garden an
make few smiling bows to the Assem-
! blage. This was timed, it was said, jus
after the reading of the settlement
! to the men. But following the readinl
, of the Milk Conference Boards answe
to the settlement" plans his homo