The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-01-21
Bill Would
Abolish Milk
Control Board
Says Present Law Only
Benefits Big Producer To
Little Fellows Injury.
SOME OBJECTION
TO LOCAL SET UP

legislature for the adjustment OF the
state milk control board. 1t will b
watched with much interest by the
dairymen of the Libby district.
Several months ago some OF the pro-
ducers formed a local control board
under the provisions of state law and
established a price that must be
charged for milk. Ever since that was
done, there has been no small degree
of dissatisfaction by some of the peo-
ducers. They have objected strcnu-
ously to the action of the local board.
They further state in no uncertain
terms that they are wholly opposed to
the state law. They maintain that it
merely sets up a system whereby the
little fellow can be crowded out of
business. These DIRECTORS have made
the threat that unless a change is made
in the present legal set-up, they will
call meeting of all the farmers of the
district, form an organization and es-
tablish price that will cover not only
the retail market but also that which
must be paid by the local creamery.
Ineview of the difference of opinion
locally regarding the benefits or de-
fects of the present milk control law,
the following report of action taken In
the legislature will be read with in
terest
1t appears that Representative H. Fl.
Longenecker OF Ravalli county has in
troduced bill to kill the milk control
law. In support of his bill. Representa-
tive Longenecker made the following
| statement, as reported by the Great
| Falls Tribune.
| THE milk control board as now OPP
Grated provides a system whereby a
few producer distributors, or few
distributors. can form themselves into
an organization which by claiming to
supply SO percent OF the fluid milk con-
sumption In given area, ga.r ahse--
lutte power to control the entire milk
trade in that area" the representative
from Ravalli county said.
There is nothing to prevent this
monopoly when once established, from
conspiring with an INSCRIPTIONS repre-
sentative OF the milk control board,
and fixing the prices of milk at what
ever figure they decide between them
| u lidfIt, do Iic tiauoh piilS Lille LoiA~
sumner has to pay Representative
Longenecker said.
1t was his position that the board
can exclude all competition from the
area to producers not on the in" with
the machine in charge OF the assoc
iation.
1T can also be done" he said, with
out regard for the ability of the con-
sumner public to pay the price demand
ed Certainly such a system is con-
trary to all the principles which we as
American citizens believe in, and which
should govern us in enacting laws af-
fecting the people of our state"
Would BE Economy
He also took the position that abol-
ishing the board would fit in with the
, wish of Governor Ayers to make a re-
duction in the cost of state govern
ment.
1t was his position that the boarc
benefits only small portion of ths
producing dairymen in Montana
Friends of the act will endeavor Il
make this assembly believe that tt
do away with this law, will be to strike
blow at the dairymen of our state,
he said This is not the case. To d,
away with the law is an act of friend
ship in their direction, as well as al
act Of friendship to the consuming pub
lie of Montana" the representative iron
Montana's great dairy county said
Activities of Norris
Representative Longenecker thei
went into detailed account of the op
. /. erations of the board under its super
visor, MIR. Norris. He said that the &C
had been administered and controlle4
'by the dictation of one member of th
: board" and that at least on two oc
casons his activities had been con
: demned by the state board of ex
: aminers.
: 1.-THE administration has not con
cerned itself about the quality of mill
nor for providing more sanitary condi
tons under which milk is produces
but, instead, has concerned itself wit
price manipulation and area domi
:, nation.
Cites One Instance
1T 'In Ravalli county, for instance,
|; distributor, who was supplying lars
: portion of the fluid milk consumed
h that area, was obtaining his source
is supply from some Of the cleanest dali
n les of the territory, and was handlir
n. supplies in the rpost sanitary distrib,
ton plant In the county and probab
in Montana, was the object of Sou
rilous effort at determination conduc
ed personally by Mr.. Norris of the mi
a control board. The good name OF O
IS of the best. citizens in the county "
m dragged into every justice court In t
en- county, and never a conviction, und
n the charges claimed, in any of I
ly courts"
he Representative Longenecker intr