Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-08-01
A MACHINIST MEETING OUT OF
THE ORDINARY

An old English receipt for cooking
a hare starts out First catch your
have, then kill him." and this is about
what was attempted at the Machin-
lists Union Tuesday night when the
representatives of the Scioto Valley
Milk Producers Cooperative Associa-
tion and committee from the Trades
Assembly visited that Local upon spe-
cial invitation.
The delegation, after considerable
delay, was introduced and given seats
in the meeting and the president, af-
ter stating the object of the visit was
to discuss and explain the "milk sit
uation" in Newark, introduced Mr..
Dickerson, secretary Of the Associa-
ton, who had come all the way from
Columbus for that very purpose.
Mr.. Dickerson briefly, but thor
oughly and clearly, explained that the
Association consisted of several thou
sand farmer milk producers who had
formed a cooperative association,
similar to a trades union, for mutual
self-protection and to insure the dis
tribution of absolutely pure fluid milk
of standard quality in unlimited
quantities to the customers of the
distributors, at minimum cost, the
truth of this assertion had been
proved by the recent reduction of two
cents per quart right here in Newark.
The same thing had also been done
in Columbus, Cincinnati and other
cities.
At the conclusion of his talk Mr..
Dickerson offered to answer any and
o1rk b cit
uation which might be asked.
He didn't know what he was up
against, for the members present
were liked a packed jury, and evident
ly every man was on t'other side; for
hardly had the gentleman taken his
seat when up jumped a person who
was evidently a self-appointed pros
ecutor, critic or bull-doser, with a
sheaf of questions prepared before
hand, long previous to the remarks of
Mr.. Dickerson, and went at it blood
raw. Some of his questions were to
the point, but large number were
wild, unfair and entirely foreign to
the subject. For instance, he made
the statement that he had devoted
much study to the farmers co-opera-
tive movement, and after deep and
concentrated investigation and con-
sideration he was unequivocallv and
irrevocably convinced that the thing
was not what was claimed for it by
it's advocates. That usually after a
brief existence a few whitecollared
bosses got control of its affairs, oc-
cupied fine expensive offices, drew
fat salaries, ETC., with the result Of
less money for the producer and high
er prices for the consumer. At least
such had been the case in numerous
instances with which he was familiar.
But in response to the request of Mr..
Dickerson to name one single solitary
instance to substantiate his assertion
the Brother replied, 81 am not on the
witness stand, neither do I propose
to answer any questions" He usurp-
ed the right Of questioning the visi-
tor but refused to extend to him the
same privilege.
Several independent milk dealers
were also present, each of whom eX
planned just why he was not in favor
of the cooperative movement, and
why he preferred to remain without
the pale.
The question was pretty we'll
threshed out, but no decision was ar
rived at, for the president announced
that several letters to labor headquar-
ters for advice and information had
as vet not been answered, and before
definite action was taken they would
await their receipt.