NINTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VII 327 
and raising the rates on cream. The printed decision, covering G4 pages, 
is said to be the best exposition of this matter so far made and v/as in- 
troduced as part of the exhibits in our case at Chicago. 
The value of an organization in fostering and protecting the dairy inter- 
ests is well explained by the testimony 'of Chief Webster at the Septem- 
ber hearing, as follows: 
"The creameries for a certain period of years stood still and went back 
all through the country. In other parts there was an organization on ihe 
part of the state through the schools (and otherwise) to sustain the dairy 
interests in this state. In Kansas there was no such organized interests 
whatever. The creameries were absolutely independent and dependent 
on their own business." 
'They went down possibly because they had no assistance. If they had 
the same assistance in Kansas that they had in Minnesota they ivoald 
probably have them in Kansas yet:' 
Further, "it has been my experience that during the last half dozen 
years there has been in certain quarters a decided improvement, in some 
quarters there has been a decided going backward." 
Question : What states have there been a decided improvement % 
]\Ir. "Webster : In those states where there was good, strong local 
organizations that have stood back of the farmer, encouraging them 
to bring good cream. 
- Question: And what states have you in mind? 
Mr. Webster: ^Minnesota and Iowa, Northern Wisconsin w^ould 
be included and perhaps some parts of Illinois. 
Our friends, the centralizers, have organized under the name of the 
American Creamery Butter Association and that the organization is per- 
manent would seem from the fact that they have engaged a secretary for 
a period of five years. 
The ostensible purpose of the organization is said to be the improve- 
ment of the quality of the cream received, and the publication of the 
Northwestern Dairymen's and Produce News is another indication along 
this line, but it would seem as suggested by Chicago Dairy Produce that 
the quickest way to produce the quality would be to make a distinction 
in price that would make it worth while to produce a better quality. 
However, a letter sent out to the creamery men of Minnesota by the 
secretary of this new centralizers' organization, shows that while the 
improvement of quality may be one of the aims of the association it is 
not the end for it is evident that the letter referred to asking for informa- 
tion as to the quantity of cream shipped from Minnesota points, would be 
used by the attorneys for the centralizers, to influence the Interstate 
Commerce Commission at the hearing in Washington, December 2d. 
The true reason for asking for information as to amount of cream 
shipped is apparent, when it is known that Commissioner Prouty asked at 
the June and September hearing if the centralizers desired a blanket 
