The Washington times., 1923-09-20
PRODUCERS.
GIVE HIM
DATA
Distributors WIZ Be Heard
LaterPIans for Larger
Supply Considered.

{.
DR.. William C. Fowler, District
health officer, today assumed the
aspect of a Pinchot in the local
milk war. He conferred with
II. T. Pancoast, and o. A.
Jamison, president and secretary
respectively of the Maryland and
Virginia Milk Producers Associa-
ton. and with other influential
members of the organization.
Seeks Exact Status.
Later in the day he will meet
representatives of Chestnut Farms,
Simpsons and Wise Brothers
diaries. who supply the District
with one-half or more of its milk.
In these two conferences DIR.
Fowler hopes to obtain a frank
statement of the exact status OF
the contending factions in the dis
agreement.
The three large dealers men,
toned have failed to sign the con-
tract offered them by the assocja-
ton, which provides that the estab-
lishments win purchase milk
through the organization instead
OF dealing with the farmers In
dividual1y.
They are prepared to fight the
demands OF the association to the
last ditch" They believe that,
through the cooperative marketing
plan adopted by the producers the
association win soon corner the
- fan
viii dictate to Washington dairy.
men prices and general procedure
In business. The association denies
Il has this end In view. The pur-
pose OF the PRODUCES, according to
officials. Is to get the farmer
fair price for his milk.
DF. FaMIer Explains.
II a known that when q milk
shortage threatened Washington in
cidenf to the coming Of the Shrine
convention last June, the three
dealers mentioned conducted sur
Veys In nearby States to determine
extra sources of milk supply out.
side of farms owned by producers
association members. This data
may be valuable IL the dealers con-
Nistenfly refuse to sign the prof
Iered contract.
'sAGy onfy interest in the situation
IN 70 know whether or not we will
have sufficient milk here in case of
a continued disagreement" said DR..
Fowler today. "I am not taking
sides. However, I am determined
TO assure Washington of an adequate
pure milk supply
II possible, DIR. Fowler will try to
reconcile the differences. He re-
cards the matter of contracts, how
ever, as something to be settled by
those most directly concerned. Mix
ing into this feature of the milk war,
he feels, Is outside the province OF
the District government.
II no amicable settlement is
reached within the next few days
the dealers who are holding out may
submit TO DIR. Fowler q number OF
applications from outside farms to
ship milk into the District.
Have "Aces In Hole"
AZ those farms are of high sani.
tary standing and comply with the
health departments requirements sIs
TO the tubercultn test for cattle, DR..
Fowler, in view OF q seriously cur
tailed milk supply, undoubtedly will
pass fayorably upon them.
The producers proposition to
supply routes which may be aban-
dOned by dealers who are unable to
buy milk Is viewed non-commitally
by the health department. AS vet.
the producers have said nothing as
to the means they would employ
In serving the routes.
Both sides will talk to a certain
point about their plans. but officials
and dealers likewise say nothing
beyond this certain point.
Both give the impression that
they have ian ace In the hole"
DIR. Fowler admits that he has one.
which he vows he viii play II con-
ditions become so serious as to i'm
peril public health and convent