The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-09-25
Borden Co. Plant at Salem
Will be Closed Oct. 1st,
Says Report.
COMMUNITY is UPSET
IS
Community Upset as Patrons .
OF Plant Find Themselves Z
Without a Market. >

Announcement that the Borden
plant at Salem will close down Oct. l
is causing great anxiety among the
eighty-fve patrons who find them
selves with no market for 10000
pounds of milk. Monthly milk checks
run from $50 to $500. Early in the
week, as soon as rumors of such ac--
ton were circulated a committee OF
business and dairy men went to Chi
cago to see what might be done tor
provide a market.
At a mass meeting at Salem opera
house Friday evening the president of
the Salem organization, William Grit
fin, informed the farmers that he had
interviewed officials of the Borden
company, the Marketing company and
the Illinois Agricultural association,
but had little encouragement to offer
them in solving the problem. Phil
Stockwell another member Of the /
committee, cooborated the statements
of Mr.. Griffin and added that the plea
everywhere was "too much milk"
Railroads were Offering a substantial
reduction on freight rates on long dis
lance hauls; that dealers, especially,
large companies, were buying milk in
distant points at cheaper rates, trans
porting it in tank cars, and retailing I,
at Id cents per quart. General basi-
ness depression is also said to be
greater than usual before election.
Marketing Man There. 'r
Mr.. Williams of Sterling, H., man
with practical experience in milk pro--~
ducing, marketing, and modern farm
ing, was present to address the meet
ing He is connected with the Mar
keting company and also president Of
the Midwest Dairy company and bsv-
ing begun his career as a dairyman at
the age of eleven, is in a position to
offer advice. He explained in detailAu
the organization and working of theip
Milk Producers association, the Mar
keting company, the so per cent spread
that dairymen so we'll recall, pointing"
out the commendable as we'll as the
undesirable points in both organ'za-
tions. The Midwest Dairy company is 8
incorporated under the cooperative
law of Illinois and is given by law the
right Of injunction; their districts are
divided according to the number of s
contract signers; directors and officers
are elected by contract signers; shey
first ascertain the amount of milk
dealers need, then solicit contract
signers to that amount.
Among the facts brought out by Mr..
Williams were these: That go per
cent of the milk supply Of the city
of Chicago now comes from the dis
tant dairy district; that milk can be$
shipped 500 miles in tank cars ande'
reach the city in better condition and
at less cost than it can be bottled /.
and shipped from the inner district;oa
that large dealers operate only few
plants in the inner district, paying at
these a high price, that they may keep
up the retail price; the farmer must r
get away from the idea that dairying
is his only dependence; his salvation
lies in diversified farming; that neversf
again can the dairyman of the inner
district hope to get more than butt
ter fat price for his milk. His advice
was to take immediate steps to buy
or lease the local plant, equip it with
necessary machinery, and sign up with
the Midwest Dairy company. By this
plan dairmymen would receive $1.25,l.
per hundred, and have the skinned =
milk to take home. He was emphatic
in his position that not a pound Of \.
milk should be handled for one WHOM
owned no shares, and that in case of -
tenants the landlord should own
share in factory. 70
Threatens Other Communities.
Eric Hanson, cashier of Silverlake
State bank, said that he realized that .
what has happened in Salem, may at -
no far distant time, happen in any Of
the neighboring villages, and suggest
ed centralized plant.
Charles Curtis outlined the plan Of ~
the Kenosha Guernsey club in which
he owns shares.
After discussion by several farmers
a committee was appointed to outline
a plan Of action, appoint a board of
directors, decide upon what to base the :
of stock; provide a plan
for the immediate raising Of $1,000 in
cash. and to report at a meeting to
be held within five days. This com.
mittee consists of o. g. Hartnell,
Eric Hanson, William Griffin, Phil
stockwell, Byron Riggs, Harry Olsen,
and Arthur Manning.
The situation is acute, this being
strictly dairy district and sentiment
is strong for local cooperative
plant. ~