The New York herald., 1921-11-15
INDEPENDENT MILK
SERVICE PROMISED
Strikers Hold Threat of New
Distribution Over Con-
ference Board.

A threat to start an independent milk
company to distribute union milk in this
city was made last night by the leaders
of the striking milkmen, who asserted
persons whom they refused to name had
pledged the necessary capital for such
project. The scheme, the leaders said
will be carried through If the New York
Milk Conference Board does not soon
renew negotiations with the strikers for
a settlement.
Other than to say the details of the
project would be big surprise for the
public Harry Pivnik, chairman OF the
strikers press committee, who made the
announcement, would not discuss the
subject In answer 10 inquiries as to
the source of the capital Mr.. Pivnik
said he could not reveal the names OF
the persons at this time but that they
have been eager for some time to get into
the local distributing business.
Reports that the International Broth
erhood of Transfers had refused to pay
the per capita strike tax to the milkmen
was denied by both Mr.. Pivnik and
Dominict Luchese, secretary and treas
urer of the Milk Drivers Union, Local
5S4. In contradiction of the report the
union officers said the brotherhood had
displayed Its keen interest in the out
come, sending Michael J. Cashin, Daniel
Tobin and William S. Neer, national Of
ficers. to this city to direct the strike.
Mr.. Pivnik denied that there had been
wholesale desertions from the union, as
claimed by the New York Milk Confer
ence Board. He said canvas of the
strikers completed Sunday at noon
showed there had been but eighteen de-
sertions, and that four of these men
had returned to the union fold. .'The
men will stay out until they win," he
said. "and we know we are going to
win. For every IS we lose the COM
panies are losing s5.000.'
The union leaders collectively said
the strike had thrust a financial burden
On the milk companies which they can
not suffer very much longer. They
charged that the men hired in The
strikers places were defaulting with
their collections. In substantiation of
this charge the leaders said a wagon
left a Bordens Farm Products plant in
Harlem loaded with s12O worth Of milk.
All of this was sold. they said, but all
the Bordens company got was the wagon
which was brought in by the police
man. The driver and the S12O disap-
peared. they said.
I. Elkin Nathans of the milk board
claimed $50 strikers were reemployed by
the Sheffield Farms Company and that
a large number also had returned to
Bordens. Bordens had 1,1O0 wagons or
the streets yesterday, his statement said
snd Sheffield Farms 250. The amount
Of milk available was still estimated al
80 per cent. Of normal, which figure
the Health Department could not con-
trovert.
"a committee OF distributors conferred
with Police Inspector Lahey to-day or
plans for further protection for the
wagons" Mr.. Nathans said. 1.-The pro-
lection has been thoroughly adequate
In view of the garment strike the COM
panies will make every effort to avoid
duplication of service and in other ways
will conserve In order to keep down the
reed for police. This will however, not
interfere with the rapid movement to-
ward normal deliveries
Argument Of the temporary Injunction
obtained by the dealers against the
strikers was put over Until tomorrow
by Justice Kelby in the Supreme Court
Brooklyn. on application of attorneys for
both sides. John Il. Johnson, counsel for
the strikers, said the milkmen welcomed
tie opportunity to place their case be-
fore the court