Evening star., 1955-07-15
BY MARY LOU WERNER

Oy 3N1EAASA NV sNS1SANAS
The president of Highs stores,
after persistent questioning, told
the Virginia State Milk Commis-
sion today his firm pays IL cents
a gallon less for milk than his
competitors.
The statement, in response to
questions from an attorney for
Alexandria dairies, was made as
Highs price policies came under
fire when the commission re-
sumed it's hearings in Alexandra.
c. Y. Stephens. president of
Highs, was quizzed by represent
atives of other dairies and pro-
ducers about how much he pays
for milk compared with the price
other diaries pay farmers.
@"Whatever the blend price is
for milk bought through the
Maryland Virginia milk pro-
ducers," insisted Mr.. Stephens.
"Well, just what do you pay
for Glass / milk?" asked Boiling
Powell, attorney for Alexandria
dairies.
"Tell me what they pay and
I'll figure it out" replied Mr.
Stephens. The current producer
price for Glass / milk is around
$6.40 a hundredweight. Glass ]
is that milk sold as'fluid, stand
ard milk. Lower prices are paid
for milk sold in Glass 2 and Glass
3. Farmers receive a blend price
depending on how much milk is
sold in each of the three classes
Accepts 12-Cent Figure
"Aren't you getting your milk
for about IL cents a gallon less
than your competitors?" a mem.
ber of the commission asked.
IT suppose that's correct" said
MIR. Stephens.
do you pay the Class / price
for all the milk you sell in Glass
-" asked w. B. Hooper OF the
Maryland Virginia Milk Produc-
ers' Association.
mo, do not. I buy all the
milk from the farmers I deaI
with" replied Mr.. Stephens.
IF all the distributors In this
market bought milk from farm.
ers and paid a blend price fol
Glass / milk, wouldn't the price
of milk and other dairy product:
be lower?" asked Mr.. Powell.
Mr.. Stephens replied that NJ
was concerned only with his op'
erations.
Lower Consumption
Richard Werner, executive di'
rector of the Milk Industr!
Foundation. declared a surve!
showed that milk consumption
in the Washington area actual!
was lower than a year ago de-
spite all the Highs publicit!
about cheaper milk in gallon
jugs.
The three-member commission
Yesterday heard comments from
economy m n d d housewives
worried producers, sales con
scious distributors, union repre-
sentatives and more than a fey
politicians. Their comment
varied, except for one basi
principle: Milk should be soil
to the consumer at the loves
possible retail price. The presen
minimum in nearby Virginia
% cents a quart. Milk sells a
low as 10 cents a quart in Wash
ington.
Whether the price should b
fixed by the commission or lei
without controls, to seek its owl
levels, was the principal bone Q
contention.
The hearing resulted from
recent Virginia Supreme Cour
of Appeals decision, which hell
that the commission must Sc
maximum as well as minimum
prices and may not set differen
prices for home-delivered ant
store-sold milk. The question o
stepping out of retail-price fixinI
in the nearby area altogethe
was raised by petitions from tn
Arlington and Fairfax Count,
Boards and their representative
in the General Assembly.
Precedent Set
It is the first time in recen
years that the commission ha
found it necessary to continue
price hearing in the nearby Vir
ginia area into second day
More than the usual number o
housewives appeared to complai
about being forced to pay NOR
for milk in nearby Virginia tha
Washington residents pay.
Highs has been selling mil
IN its Virginia stores for
ssnts q gallon--18 cents belo
the minimum-since July