Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-02
Threatens Dairy
With Double Burden

especial TO the henneDeC J0urnal)
Orono. April 1-Maine's dairy in
dustry is threatened with double
burden, according to Wesley II.
Bronson, secretary of the New Eng
land dairymens committee opposing
the increase in milk transportation
rates, one of the speakers at the
Farmers Week here today The in
crease of 20 per cent asked for by
New England roads comes at a time
when there Is some prospect of a
decrease in transportation rates on
cream from the West. The combina-
ton might take the Southern New
England markets away from Maine
| dairy farmers and cause an adj
ditional decline in the dairy industry
in this state, in Mr.. Bronson's
opinion.
Names dairy industry Is now on
the decline" he said. ut has been
going down hill since 1921. Appar-
emily it has lost about 20 per cent in
the five year period. This Is due in
the transportation rates which took
away Names comparatively favor
able situation in 1917. The revenue
| of the Maine Central has fallen off
| materially. on the transportation of
milk on account of this decrease.
Yet the railroad now proposes to add
q 20 per cent increase to it's milk
transportation rates. 1t would be a
hard blow to the dairy industry in
this state. The revenue of the rail-
road has dropped $4,000 in the five
fears. Any added increase Of the
burden on the dairy industry would
| still further discourage it and tend
to still further decrease the rail-
rnN Fro. fl,4 @.,,
ton of milk and cream.
1.-The additional revenue sought by
the Maine Central railroad reaches a
total of about $4,000 year. AS
most of the milk moves to the mar
kets of southern New England over
| the Boston and Maine an additional
burden of from $4,000 to $50, 900
would fall on the dairy farmers of
Maine, making the total increase
about 100000 annually.
Can Maine dairymen stand such
an additional burden? 1t is evident
| that they have not been able to
! compete with other dairy sections
| under the present rates, since the
volume of their shipments has de-
| clined while the sales of milk In
! these excellent markets of southern
New England have been increasing
/ rapidly. If they cannot compete I'M
der present conditions how will it be
| possible for them to compete with an
| additional burden of 100000 thrust
| upon them? When / say compete /
| do not mean the competition from
the nearby states of Vermont and
| New York but the competition of
mid-western states, principally Min
nesota and Wisconsin.
| In the past year or two these
western states have become import
! ant shippers of cream into the East
ern markets. Nearly SO per cent of
New York's cream supply last No
vember came from the west. In
February three carloads of cream
! came into Springfield Mass, from
| Minnesota, and reports have been
received of cream being shipped into
f, Boston from west of Buffalo. All
this is of vital Importance to Maine
farmers as they are heavy shippers
of cream into Boston and other
southern New England markets.
IF the railroads were allowed
this 20 per cent increase Maine dairy
| farmers would be in a position OF
paying increased railroad rates from
points within her borders to these
| southern New England markets and
/ having their cream compete in these
markets with cream coming in from
the west at no increase in cost, pos
slbly at a decreased rate of trans
! portation. 1t is significant that only
| last month fresh meat was given q
+; 10 per cent reduction in rates from
| Chicago into Eastern markets
| Cream takes the same service as
| fresh meat.
80 Maine dairy farmers are be-
ing asked by the railroads to face
higher rates at home and lower rates
for their competitors from outside