COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 169 



"The method of adjusting prices is very simple. A 

 joint committee is selected, consisting of dealers and the 

 directors of the Dairymen's Cooperative Sales Company. 

 In the meeting both sides lay all their cards on the table 

 and jointly strive to find a basis which is equitable to con- 

 sumers, producers, and distributors. In this instance 

 the producers thought costs and other conditions justified 

 a price of $3.25 per hundred pounds, but distributors 

 showed that the existing surplus is much larger than pro- 

 ducers had supposed. Their figures were properly at- 

 tested by disinterested parties and were accepted by pro- 

 ducers as correctly representing the situation. After some 

 discussion, all agreed that conditions warranted a reduc- 

 tion of one cent a quart to consumers and a price of $3.00 

 per hundred pounds to producers for 3.5 per cent milk 

 at country plants, or 33 cents per gallon for local milk at 

 Pittsburg Dr. Clyde L. King, who has the con- 

 fidence of all parties, helped to adjust matters and de- 

 clared that the conclusions were equitable. 



"The success of the plan followed here and in Phila- 

 delphia is the result of adhering to sound business prin- 

 ciples. All parties recognize the fact that prices must be 

 governed by supply and consumption; that consumers, 

 producers, and distributors are all dependent on each 

 other and have their respective rights; and that the essen- 

 tial thing is equity to all. As a consequence we now have 

 confidence and good will in the milk business where we 

 used to have suspicion and disagreements of various 

 kinds." * 



The organization is incorporated under Ohio laws, with 

 capital stock of $25,000 divided into ten thousand shares 

 of a par value of $2.50 each. Each member is required 



1 National Stockman & Farmer, Mar. 8, 1919, p. 3. 



