Evening star., 1933-12-14
ICE CREAM FIRMS
FACE RETALIATION
Workers Union Also Votes
to Submit Appeal to A.F.L.
in Controversy.

The Ice Cream Workers Union last
night threatened retaliatory measures
against the Breyer and High Ice Cream
Cos, which, it is charged, cut prices
and wages, thereby imperiling the jobs
Of 1000 employees
The union, at a meeting, also voted
TO submit an appeal to the American
Federation of Labor for aid in the
tight.
Meanwhile, j. B. Obermann, local
manager of the High Co., today took
exception to the statement by Charles
McCloskey, business agent of the union,
yesterday to the effect that his firm
was selling ice cream to retailers from
90 to rs cents gallon cheaper than
some other companies.
Jobs Given to 40.
SIN the first place." states Mr.. Ober-
mann, I'VE do not sell to retailers at
all. L. w. High established the policy
OF maintaining our own stores. 1t is
Mr.. Highs plan to centralize production
facilities in Washington and our plant
and stores here have given employment
to 40 local reCple. Unlike another
company mentioned, who mix their
cream in Philadelphia and freeze it
mere, complete production facilities of
all Highs ice cream sold cnly through
our own stores are contained in our To-
cal plant at 1924 One-half street south
east
Mr. Oberman further states that loss
OF jobs by employees of local ice cream
companies is in line with the usual
seasonal variations of employment by
such companies.
Breyer, Philadelphia concern, is a
subsidiary of National Dairy Products
Corporation.
Dairymen Lose Money.
What effect the price-cutting will
have on the Washington milk market
Is not known. Prices for class 8 milk,
used for manufactured products, al
ready have sunk SO low that dairy
farmers are losing money. A further
depression IN price would be ruinous,
according to leading producers.
Meanwhile, the Walker Hill Dairy
Maryland g. Virginia Milk Producers
Association controversy over prices was
at standstill today. The fight will
be aired before the Senate Milk In
veStigating Committee when it resumes
hearings Monday.
Isaac w. Heaps, head of the Washing
ton-Baltimore markets, told The Star
today he understood James j. Ward,
secretary of the independent dairy COM
pany. had agreed with the associations
statement it would be impossible to
consolidate sufficient milk in one pro-
oucing area to warrant construction of
receiving station, at which the dis
tributor could buy milk for 4 cents a
gallon less than the price at Wash
tngton.
Freight Would Exceed Saving.
at would take all the milk in three
or four counties" said Heaps, land the
freight for hauling into the receiving
station and then into the city would
be greater than the amount that would
be saved on the differential"
He said the association was willing to
let the dairy build receiving plant,
but it would not be feasible in view of
the lack of milk. With respect to CIV
ing the dairy direct shipped" cream,
which also would save 4 cents a gallon
Heaps pointed out the producers organ
ization could not force farmer to ship
cream if he prefers to ship milk"
The Walker Hill Dairy has contended
sit Is entitled to the same advantages
as Chestnut Farms, Chevy Chase and
Thompson's Diaries and that refusal of
the association to grant such ad-
vantages constitutes unfair trade prac-
tices The distributor served notice that
II the association did not supply it with
milk and cream at the same prices paid
by the three other dairies it would be
forced to contract with shippers inde-
pendently.