Evening star., 1950-06-19
Bill Is Pushed
Allow Milk
importation
Miller Steps Up Drive
Despite Settlement
Of Dairy Strike Here


ton today at the end Of an eight
day strike. but Representative
Miller, Republican, of Nebraska.
intensified rather than abandoned
his efforts to open the area to
more milk producers.
For the first time in week, milk
was available at all normal out
lets, and the clatter OF milk bottles
was heard again along the milk
mans route.
The white fluid. for which IA
million persons had scrambled
through dry days. reappeared al
most by magic. But behind the
scenes was story of eo-ordinated
efforts which saw the industry
wheels turning again within mo-
ments after the agreement was
announced.
FavOrs Any Grade A Milk.
Despite the strikes end, Repre-
sentative Miller. who is a physi-
clan, began drafting a bill today
which would throw open the
Washington market to any grade
A milk which meets United States
Public Health standards.
DR., Miller said he had been
given assurance that the House
District Committee will hold pub
lie hearings on the measure, but
it appeared doubtful if they will
be held by Thursday or Friday,
as he had hoped. He has been
critical of what he called a milk
monopoly" here.
Another development was a de-
cision by Senator Gillette, Demo-
crat. of Iowa to reseume hearings
at 10 q m. Thursday on milk prices
and distributing practices. Sena-
tor Gillette's Agriculture subcom-
mittee has been looking into
monopolieS in various commod-
tiles.
The subcommittee may call as
a witness Bruce B. Derrick, sec
retary-treasurer of the Maryland
and Virginia Milk Producers AS
sociation. Swarnped with prob
lens brought about by the strike,
Mr.. Derrick said he may ask q
postponement to future date.
Price Increase Mentioned.
While dairy officials would not
speculate freely on the possibility
OF price increase to consumers,
one owner said there might be a
small raise, perhaps less than q
cent.
During bargaining talks. dairy
negotiators were said to have men,
toned half cent a quart as the
best guess what the new working
conditions would cost them. They
were undecided how much, If any,
of this they would be willing to
absorb and how much would be
passed on to retailers and con-
SumerS.
Emergency provisions for babies,
invalids. hospitals and institutions
were called off shortly after the
Milk Drivers and Dairy Employees
Local 246 (AFL) voted, 727 to
149. to accept settlement terms
in l pm. meeting at Turner's
Arena yesterday.
The union, which originally
wanted a 5-day. 40-hour work
week to replace a 6-day, 48-hour
week. and the Dealers Industry
Committee, which offered a s.
day week, but wanted to shut
down on Sundays. compromised
thus:
The union was given what
amounts to a 51a-day. 44-hour
week, and the companies win
continue to operate seven days a
week. thus assuring continued
every-other-day delivery to route
customers.
Contract Runs Two Years.
Beginning September 4, the
| $50 union members will work
days one week and 6 days the
next. BY terms of the two-year
this will mean 81 addi-
tional days off the first year and
IS additional days the second
year.
At least two years Of manage
nent-union peace were assured
oy the contract expiring June 6,
1852, because there are no re-
opening periods during that time
'or wages or hours.
Wages were not a consideration
IN the tedious negotiations which
burned Wardman Park Hotels
midnight oil since the strike be-
gan at noon Saturday, June 10.
Expressing gratitude at the
strikes end. Union Secretary
Treasurer Eugene r. Hubbard
,alled the settlement absolutely
he best we could get under the
circumstances"
He said the iinion exracfad IttfIa