100 VERMONT DAIRYMEN'S REPORT. 



Mr. Spear: — Mr. President: — There is another matter I 

 would like to bring before this meeting. I think it should re- 

 ceive the attention of every farmer and dairyman. During the 

 past year, parties known as "creamery promoters" have been 

 operating in several towns in Vermont. These people repre- 

 sent some creamery supply house located outside the state, 

 usually some wholesale dealer. Their mode of operating is to 

 go among the farmers in some town and get them to sign a con- 

 tract for a certain amount of stock in a creamery plant to be built 

 there. The price called for in the contract for the creamery plant 

 is usually about twice what it would cost to build and equip it. 

 The machinery furnished is often of poor quality. They are 

 frauds and dairymen should let them alone. Tbey have ope- 

 rated extensively in other states to the great injury of the dairy 

 industry. Just before coming here I received a letter from a 

 former president of this association, Mr. Sanford, stating that 

 his town had recently been visited by these people and asking 

 me to bring the matter before this meeting. In view of these 

 facts I have prepared the following statement which I submit 

 to you for such action as you think best: 



It has come to the knowledge of the Vermont Dairy- 

 men's Association that, in various sections of Vermont, parties 

 known as "creamery promoters" have been contracting with 

 farmers for expensive creamery plants, in which the contract 

 price agreed upon has been far in excess of the requirements of 

 the business; and that in some sections such plants have been 

 contracted for where there is not sufficient milk produced to pay 

 the expense of operating a creamery. We hereby desire to call 

 the attention of the farmers of Vermont to the fact that 

 creamery promoters have operated in other states in a man- 

 ner similar to the plan introduced into this state ; and that this 

 work has resulted to the great injury of the dairy interests and 

 to a large financial loss to stockholders in such organizations. 

 We would therefore caution and warn the dairymen of Vermont 

 in relation to this matter and call attention to the fact that 

 wherever a creamery is needed we have plenty of responsible 

 dairy supply houses in this and other states ; and that the qual- 

 ity of supplies furnished and prices charged for the same by 

 these houses entitle them to the confidence and patronage of 

 the dairymen. We earnestly advise that contracts for creamery 

 plants be not placed with unknown persons. 



President Smith. We have heard the remarks and sug- 

 gestions of Mr. Spear. What action do you wish to take ? Do 

 you present the statement as a resolution ? 



Answer — Yes. 



Resolution adopted. 



