l7/><?  RURAL  NEW-YORKER 
1241 
The  New  York  Milk  Situation 
Dairymen  Name  Their  Price  ' 
THE  DEALERS’  STAND.— The  milk  trust  defies 
the  farmer  and  liis  organization.  It  refuses  to  concede 
that  he  has  any  right  to  have  any  voice  whatever  in 
the  making  of  prices  for  milk.  Its  members  say  in  ef¬ 
fect  that  the  combination  of  dealers  has  made  the  price 
of  milk  for  40  years  and  they  are  going  to  continue 
to  do  so. 
Will  they?  We  predict  “no.”  "Watch,  the  fight  and 
see. 
Milk  producers  of  the  State  have  organized  them¬ 
selves  into  mutual  cooperative  associations.  These  as¬ 
sociations  now  comprise  about  15,000  dairymen.  They 
represent  215.000  cows,  and  the  membership  is  daily 
increasing. 
FARMERS  FIX  PRICES.— The  farmers  have  ap¬ 
pointed  these  associations  as  their  agents  for  the  nego¬ 
tiation  and  sale  of  their  milk.  Tit  simplify  further  the 
machinery  of  distribution  the  associations  have  desig¬ 
nated  tlie  State  Department  of  Foods  and  Markets  as 
agent  of  the  associations  to  sell  the  milk  on  terms  fair 
to  all  concerned.  The  dealers  have  refused  to  con¬ 
sider  the  price  asked  by  the  farmers  and  say  they  will 
make  the  price  to  suit  themselves  as  heretofore. 
After  a  full  discussion  the  Dairymen’s  League  de¬ 
cided  on  the  following  schedule  of  prices  for  the  next 
six  months: 
October  . $2.17 
November  . 2.27 
December  .  2.27 
January  .  2.17 
February  .  2.12 
March  . 2.07 
These  prices  are  for  100  pounds  grade  E  milk  of 
State  standard  3%  fat  in  the  first,  freight  zone.  In  the 
second  zone  the  price  is  10  cents  less  per  hundred  and 
for  every  one-tent  h  increase  of  fat  the  price  increases 
three  cents  per  hundred. 
DEALERS  REFUSE  FARMERS’  PRICES— The 
dealers  have  refused  to  accept  these  prices.  On  Sept, 
loth  the  Borden  company  posted  the  following  notice 
in  their  stations : 
NOTICE  TO  DAIRYMEN. 
For  the  present  and  until  further  notice,  we  will 
publish  monthly,  prices  which  we  can  offer  fur  milk 
for  the  following  mouth. 
ROKDEN’S  (  OMIEXSKP  MILK  COMPANY 
Farm  Products  Division. 
Accompanying  the  above  notice  is  a  schedule  of 
prices  for  October  only,  based  on  the  lmtterfat  test. 
The  price  they  offer  for  three  per  cent,  milk  in  the 
first  freight  zone  is  $1.90  per  hundred.  In  the  second 
zone  the  offer  is  10  cents  less.  For  every  increased  one- 
tenth  of  butterfat  the  offer  goes  up  three  cents  per 
hundred  pounds.  They  also  base  this  offer  on  the  fol¬ 
lowing  conditions : 
The  above  prices  will  be  paid  to  dairymen  where 
they  muiutain  during  their  period  of  delivery,  conditions 
(scoring  not  less  than  twenty-five  (25)  per  cent,  on 
equipment  and  forty-three  ( 43 )  per  cent.,  on  methods, 
according  to  the  New  York  Department  of  Health 
Score  third,  as  scored  by  the  company’s  representa¬ 
tives.  Dairymen  scoring  less  than  twenty-five  (25)  per 
cent,  on  equipment  and  forty-three  (43)  per  cent,  on 
methods,  will  receive  ten  cents  (10c)  per  100  pounds 
less  than  the  above  schedule. 
This  is  at  least  a  partial  surrender  of  the  trust  in¬ 
terests.  It  is  a  feel-out.  The  trust  has  calculated  that 
producers  would  accept  one-half  the  advance  they  ask, 
and  abandon  the  Dairymen’s  League.  The  price  could 
theu  be  made  from  month  to  mouth,  and  when  the 
farmers  were  again  disorganized,  there  would  be.  no 
more  trouble  for  milk  dealers  for  at  least  10  years 
more.  If  this  worked  they  would  have  escaped  the 
necessity  of  recognizing  the  farmers’  organization  and 
agent.  If  the  offer  were  accepted  by  farmers  individ¬ 
ually  the  League  army  would  he  routed*,  and  the  terms 
of  peace  would  be  dictated  later  on  by  the  conquering 
forces.  We  believe  the  trust  has  unconsciously  dis¬ 
played  its  weakness.  It  calculates  from  old  conditions, 
and  does  not  realize  the  new  factors  in  the  situation. 
Time  will  tell  who  is  right.  In  the'  meantime  orir 
promises  to  the  dairymen  that  they  would  get  more 
money  for  their  milk  is  verified  by  the  trust  offer  and 
the  Department  has  already  sold  milk  at  27  cents  a 
hundred  higher. 
DISAGREEMENT  ON  PRICES.—1 The  producers 
have  announced  with  equal  emphasis  that  they  will  no 
longer  sell  as  individuals  to  the  dealers,  all  of  whom 
’act  practically  as  one  man  on  their  side.  They  refuse 
to  sign  contracts,  or  to  discuss  prices  individually. 
They  have  authorized  their  representatives  and  agent 
to  speak  for  them  and  they  say  no  milk  will  be  de¬ 
livered  by  members  of  the  League  after  Sept.  30th  un¬ 
til  sold  through  their  agent  and  deliveries  ordered  by 
him  and  the  committee. 
CONTROL  OF  PASTEURIZERS.— No  milk  can  he 
sold  in  New  York  City  until  it  is  pasteurized,  except 
certified  milk.  The  dealers  own  the  cans  and  many  of 
the  pasteurizers.  By  a  prudent  foresight  they  got  pos¬ 
session  of  these  implements  of  distribution  in  anti¬ 
cipation  of  just  such  a  contingency.  They  profess  to 
believe  that  the  control  of  these  utilities  makes  them 
master  ot  the  situation. 
THE  PRODUCERS’  ATTITUDE.— On  the  other 
baud  the  farmer  knows  that  cans  and  pasteurizers  are 
no  good  without  milk,  and  they  propose  that  the  deal¬ 
ers  will  not  get  the  milk  after  October  first  unless  they 
buy  it  on  the  farmers’  terms.  The  producers  are  hold¬ 
ing  meetings  all  over  the  State,  ami  increasing  their 
membership,  and  they  are  preparing  to  can-  for  their 
milk  after  October  first.  Wherever  cooperative  cream¬ 
eries  exist,  milk  will  be  carted,  or  shipped,  to  them 
from  considerable  distances,  and  the  pasteuriz  *rs  will 
he  kept  going  night  and  day.  The  Department  is  mak¬ 
ing  contracts  for  this  milk  in  (lie  oily  and  will  he  able 
to  sell  all  the  pasteurized  milk  it  can  get  at  League 
prices.  It  has  already  made  some  sales,  and  lias  a  de¬ 
mand  for  all  it  can  get.  The  small  dealers  are  anxious 
to  buy  milk  from  the  Department  because  they  know 
the  State  will  use  them  right,  and  they  will  no  longer 
have  to  pay  the  big  dealers  a  bonus  to  get  it.  They  will 
buy  as  cheap  as  the  big  dealers  and  naturally  they  like 
it.  Where  no  cooperative  plant  exists  tlie  milk  will  be 
converted  into  butter  and  cheese.  The  high  price  of 
these  will  make  good  returns  for  the  milk.  In  many 
sections  the  local  organizations  are  preparing  to  put 
in  cooperative  pasteurizing  plants  and  one  will  prob¬ 
ably  be  built  in  tlie  city. 
THE  CONSUMER’S  ATTITUDE— The  city  peo¬ 
ple  want  the  milk  and  are  willing  to  pay  for  it.  The 
farmers  have  it  and  want  to  sell  it  at  a  fair  price.  The 
dealers  have  the  pasteurizers  and  we  will  see  if  they 
insist  on  keeping  them  idle  while  milk  wastes  in  the 
country  and  children  hunger  for  it  in  the  city.  The 
people  of  New  York  State  will  never  permit  that  state 
of  affairs  to  exist  for  very  long.  4’ he  Department  of 
Foods  and  Markets  has  rather  broad  powers  in  such  an 
emergency  and  tlu-y  will  be  used  to  the  utmost  limit 
in  the  interest  of  all  the  people  of  the  State. 
1 
o 
1% 
i 
1 
17% 
*> 
4 
10% 
,9 
1 
6% 
•>  “ 
*  > 
1 
♦> 
1 
case  . 44 
cases . 43 
cases . 42 
eases  . . 41 
case  . 40% 
cases  . 40 
cases  .  ’39  " 
cases  . 38 
cases  .  !37 
case  . 36 
cases . 35 
cases  . . 34 
cases  .  33 
case . . . 32 
cases  .  [,30 
case . 28 
1.82%  cases. 
BUTTER. 
100  lbs . $0.39 
til  lbs .  *29 
370  lbs. 
non. try. 
1 
1 
83% 
34 
100 
54 
7 
Notes  from  Department  of  Foods  and 
Markets 
204  Franklin  St.,  New  York  City 
EGG 8. — Fancy  nearby  whites  are  in  fair  demand 
and  selling  from  45  to  4Nc.  per  dozen,  but  there  are 
only  a  few  lots  that  liriug  in  top  prices.  Nearby  white 
of  ordinary  good  quality  sold  from  30  to  45c.  per  dozen. 
Nearby  browns  sold  from  30  to  42c, 
BUTTER. — Fancy  Western  creamery  butter  grading 
higher  than  extras  sold  from  33%c.  to  34 Vic.  The 
finest  State  dairy  in  tubs  sold  32  to  82%c\,  and  com¬ 
mon  State  dairy,  25%  to  31  %c. 
UJIEKSE. — ’Pbe  offering  of  cheese  was  somewhat 
limited  and  prices  advanced  %c.  per  pound  over  last 
week.  The  finest  State  white  arid  colored  sold  for 
1 9 %c.  State  common  to  good  brought  10  to  19c.  as  to 
quality.  Qualities  are  running  better,  and  there  is  a 
moderate  offering  for  future  delivery.  From  now  on 
the  sentiment  will  he  dependent  upon  the  condition  of 
English  anil  Canadian  markets. 
DRESSED  POULTRY. — Western  shippers  are  hold¬ 
ing  back  fowls  to  meet  the  extra  demand  next  week  for 
the  Jewish  holidays.  Fowls  are  selling  from  21%  to 
-2<\  on  a  4-lb.  average,  and  smaller  fowls,  18  to  20c. 
The  average  run  of  chickens  is  selling  at  25e.  per  pound.  24 
Old  roosters  from  15  to  I5%e. ;  fresh  killed  turkeys,  4 
hens,  28  to  30c. ;  toms,  25  to  37c.  — 
LIVE  POULTRY. — Nearby  poultry  iu  good  demand 
aud  firm.  Leghorn  chickens  selling  from  22  to  22%, c* ; 
Leghorn  fowls,  20%  to  21e.  Fancy  heavy  colored 
fowls  are  selling  as  high  as  22c. 
LIVE  CALVES. — Fairly  steady  at.  12  to  12% e., 
with  a  few  fancy  selling  as  high  as  15e.  Buttermilks, 
7%  to  8 Vie. 
DRESSED  CALVES. — Receipts  of  country  dressed 
calves  are  very  light,  and  the  demand  is  limited;  sales 
at  20c.  for  choice,  with  fancy  white  meat  selling  as 
high  as  21c.  Fair  to  prime  quality  sold  from  18  to 
19  %c. 
LIVE  SIIEEP  AND  LAMBS. — Old  ewes  selling 
from  5  to  •*%C.  per  lb.  Spring  lambs  selling  from  11  to 
12 Vic.  per  lb, 
APPLES  are  in  light  supply,  and  there  is  a  good  de¬ 
mand  for  fancy  high  colored  fruit.  The  lower  grades 
are  moving  slowly.  Alexanders  sold  from  $3  to  $4.25 
per  barrel;  McIntosh,  $3.50  to  $4.50;  Wolf  River,  $2.50 
lo  $4.50;  Grnvensteiu,  $2  to  $3.50;  Maiden  Blush,  $2 
to  $3.50;  Twenty  Ounce,  $3  to  $3.50 ;  Ilubbardston,  $2 
to  $3;  Wealthy,  $2  to  $4;  Greenings,  $2.25  to  $3.50. 
PEAR8. — About  50c.  a  barrel  lower  than  last  week 
with  a  full  supply  of  ordinary  Harrietts.  which  are  dull 
and  lower.  Most  of  the  Bartletts  arriving  are  over¬ 
ripe  and  small.  There  has  been  a  liberal  supply  of 
California  Bartletts  which  have  been  over-ripe  aud  sold 
as  low  ns  35c.  per  bushel  box.  __  Up-River  Bartletts  sold 
from  83  to  $4.75  per  barrel.  No.  2  fruit  in  barrels  sold 
from  $2  to  $3  per  barrel.  Sockets  brought  from  $3.50  to 
$5 ;  Beu r re  Bose,  $2  to  $4;  l’eurro  Clairgeau.  $2  to 
$3.7o ;  Bcin  re  d’ Anjou.  $2  to  $3.50;  Flemish  Beauty. 
$1.50  to  $2;  Bell,  $2.25  to  $3;  Jersey  Ki offers,  $1.50 
io  $2.50. 
PEACHES.- — Selling  well  when  fancy  hut  few  such 
and  ordinary  grades  moving  slowly.  State  Crawford 
sold  75e.  to  $1.25  per  carrier;  Elbertas,  75c.  to  $1.25 
per  carrier;  baskets,  from  50c.  to  S5o.  We  sold  one 
fancy  lot  from  River  Section  at  $2  per  carrier. 
GRAPES. — Up-River  Delaware  and  Champion  sold 
09  to  85c.  per  crate;  Worden  and  Concord,  50  to  75c.; 
Delaware,  in  4-lb.  baskets,  S  to  10c. 
PLUMS, — Increasing  in  supply  with  most  arrivals 
of  ordinary  grade;  Damsons  in  baskets  sold  from  25  to 
35c.  A  few  prunes  sold  at  40c. ;  green  immature  prunes 
not  wanted. 
294  lbs. 
133  lbs. 
1068  lbs. 
564  lbs. 
broilers  . 
broilers  . 
broilers  . 
broilers  . 
1037  lbs. 
80  lbs. 
broilers . 
broilers  . 
3176  lbs. 
580  lbs. 
fowl  . 
534  lbs. 
68  lbs. 
fowl  . 
fowl  . 
390  lbs. 
fowl  . 
552  lbs. 
fowl  . 
1764  lbs. 
fowl  . 
3888  lbs. 
68  lbs.  old  cocks  . 
$0.25 
.24 
.23 
.22% 
•>2 
.21 
oo 
.20 
.19% 
.19 
.18% 
.18 
.14 
package 
live  calf. 
dressed  meats. 
squab  for  . 
1 
.$1.00 
lbs. 
lbs, 
lbs. 
lbs. 
lbs. 
70  lbs . .14% 
ducks  . 19% 
ducks  . 18 
ducks  . . . 17 
ducks  . 16 
ducks  . 121% 
veoetabi.es. 
4  bags  corn  . 
5  bags  corn  . 
14  bags  corn  . 
. . 75 
23  bags. 
10  bbls.  corn  . 
.  too 
9  bbls.  corn  . 
19  bids. 
1  bbl.  pickles  .... 
.  6  00 
1  bskt.  pickles  . . 
3  bskt.  pickles  . . 
2  bskt.  pickles  .  - 
15  bskt.  pickles  .  . 
24  bskt.  pickles  . . 
4  bskt.  pickles  .  . 
49  bskts. 
21  crates  tomatoes 
20  crates  tomatoes 
14  crates  tomatoes 
4  crates  tomatoes 
5  crates  tomatoes 
60  crates. 
2  boxes  tomatoes  . 50 
3  bbls.  cauliflower  .  4.25 
5  bbls.  cauliflower  .  . .  , .  4;00 
11  bbls.  cauliflower  .  3.50 
19  bbls. 
30  bbls.  peppers . 
1  bbl.  peppers  . 
5  bskts  peppers  . 
1  bskt.  peppers  . 
22  bskts.  peppers  . 
1  box  cukes  . 
2  bskts.  cukes  . 
1  bskt.  cukes  . . . 
1  bskt.  cukes  . 
1  bskt.  cukes  . 
5  doz.  bunches  celery  • 
36  doz.  bunches  celery  . 
13  doz.  bunches  celery  . 
6  bskts.  beans  . 
17  bskts.  beans  . 
20  bskts.  beans  . 
6  bskts.  onions 
14  bskts.  onions- 
8  bags  potatoes 
2370  lbs.  potatoes,  owr. 
4  bags  peas  . 
2  bags  peas  . 
MISCELLANEOUS 
p;  36  lbs.  lard 
.  <i> 
,00 
65 
,50 
.40 
,50 
8* 
00 
,90 
,40 
35 
30 
12% 
1.00 
.60 
1JK) 
'.75 
50 
25 
00 
20 
.$0.14 
POTATOES. — In  moderate  supply  and  prices  higher. 
Jersey  round  sold  from  $3.25  to  $3.50  per  105-lb.  bag; 
Jersey  longs,  $3  to  $3.15  per  bag;  Jersey  Cobbler, 
$3.50 ;  Long  Island,  $3,00  to  $3.75  per  "barrel ;  Maine, 
1601b.  bag  sold  $3.25  to  $.100. 
ONIONS. — In  liberal  supply  find  weak.  Orange 
County  red  and  yellow  sold  from  $1.50  to  $2  per  100- 
lb.  bag;  California  yellow,  $2  to  $2.00  per  100-Ib.  bag; 
Jersey  whites  from  $1  to  $1.20  per  basket  and  Jersey 
yellow  and  red,  75e.  to  $1  per  basket. 
.  Summary  of  sale  of  miscellaneous  farm  products  dur¬ 
ing  the  week  ending  September  14th,  1916: 
FRUITS. 
3  crates  plums  . $1,331-3 
PLUMS.  - 
bskts . 80 
bskts.  . KT 
bskt . 40 
bskts . 35 
bskts.  . . 30 
bskts.  . . . . . 25 
bskts . 22% 
bskts . 20  ~ 
bskts . . . 15 
bskts.  . 12  V. 
28 
11 
1 
25 
197 
29 
80 
25 
7 
24 
EGOS. 
427  bskts. 
CHERRIES. 
72  qts . 15 
16S  qts . 14 
216  qts . . . 13 
344  qts . 12 
120  qts . 10 
16S  qts . 08 
71%  cases  . $0.4$ 
2  eases  . 47 
18%  cases 
7  cases 
.46 
.45 
1088  qts. 
PEACHES. 
S  crates  . . .  1.25 
( Continued  on  pa ge  1251 ) 
