Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-28
Hub Distributor
fContinued from Pane One)

p4i tiCS tOAbC$4 Ah tAiS SSASAS sS@SSs
says Gov. Baxter in his statement
1.-THE three governors referred to
approved Of my suggestion and on
Feb. 9th, sent telegram to both
paEties in behalf of these governors
and myself, and suggested that their
differences be arbitrated," continues
the statement.
sdThe Milk Producers Association
on Feb. z, replied that 1t would 'un-
hesitatingly accept an offer of arbi-
tration by the governors of these four
states or persons named by them for
that purpose
"On the same day I received a tel
egram from Whiting & Sons saying:
"'Your message is received tender
ing your services toward solution
of existing milk difficulty. We ap-
preciate your interest and will at q
time designated by you place our po-
sition before you. We are sending
this reply to your associate govern
ors.'
This telegram did not meet the
situation fairly and frankly.
"On Feb. eth, I telegraphed to
Whiting & Sons as follows:
Received your telegram and sug-
gest that usual procedure OF insur-
ance adjustment cases be followed in
arbitration of milk controversy. Will
you submit three names to the Milk
Producers Association, they to select
one, and they to follow tine same pro-
cedure with you, The two selected are
to choose third and the decision of
the three to be binding upon both
parties. Prompt answer requested.
(Signcd) PERCIVAL p. BAXTER,
Governor of Maine"
con the same day l sent the same
telegram to the New England Milk
Producers Association, asking them
to submit three names to Whiting &
Sons.
THE Milk Producers Association
on Feb. 9Th, wired as follows:
1--WE will accept procedure outlined
in your telegram received today for
arbitration controversy With Whiting
interests
This closed the case il. so far as
the Milk Producers Association was
concerned, and they met the issue
fairly and openly.
Il did not receive reply from
whiting & Sons until Feb. 10, when
they autographed that they would
send a written statement of our po-
sition.' A long, type written state
ment came by mail the following day,
but the issue not having been met
squarely by them, again wired
Whiting & Sons urging them to ac-
cept the procedure which ! had out
lined to them. and informing them
that the Milk Association had agreed
TO the terms of arbitration. Not
hearing from Whiting & Sons, I wait
ed until Feb. IA, when I sent the fol-
lowing telegram to them:
Several days ago l suggested fair
method of arbitration, and Milk Pro-
ducers' Association has given I'M
qualified acceptance. You have avoid
ed direct acceptance or refusal and
have sent a lengthy statement to be
considered by governors of four
states at long range. 1t is impossible
for governors to serve as arbitrator
and they can only urge both sides to
meet in open conference. Again ask
YOU to meet the issue squarely and
either accept or reject proffered ar
bitraEon. Otherwise, you will lose
confidence of farmers and public. In
this message | act for myself as gov
ernor of Maine.
'(Signed) PERCIVAL p. BANTER,
Governor of Maine
ION Feb. 18th, the day following,
Whiting & Sons sent ME a long tele-
gram in which they continued to
avoid the issue and referred to their
typewriter brief sent several days
before. On Feb. 16. after / had re-
ceived this last telegram. Whiting &
Sons called me by telephone and
wanted to send a representative to
Augusta to discuss the question with
me.
Il replied that under the circum-
stances did not consider it proper to
discuss the matter in the absence of
the other parties and declined to
make an appointment. again urged
them to accept the suggested form of
saying the four governors
could not themselves be expected to
ing more has been heard from Whit
ing & Sons.
I'm long advertisement published
by Whiting & Sons in defense of their
position and which appeared in the
Lewiston Journal of Feb. %, noticed
the following paragraphs:
Governor Baxter suggested a
method of arbitration but could not
and did not suggest the subject mat
ter to arbitrate. . Governor Rax-
ter after receiving the facts informed
of the Whiting Com
papy that the matter was too com
plicated for arbitration. that he did
not care to go into details and re-
fused TO meet Frank w. Clar, ex-
president of the New England Milk
Producers Association
This published statement Of Whit
ing d Sons is not correct, for / did
suggest a method of arbitration as
VIGIL as the subject matter to be ar
bitrated. l did not say to the Whit
ing Company that the matter was
100 complicated for arbitration for
continued to urge them even at that
late date, Feb. 16. to meet the issue
fairly and openly. did refuse TO
meet their representative as il would
not nave been proper for me to have
done SO in the absence Of the other
governors and the representatives of
the Milk Producers Association.
In my opinion the Milk Producers
A Ger to- L..