1025 
Will Dairymen Support a Friend ? 
Tr.OTrTtL!OT> CONDITIONS.—In tlio Fall of 
1010, wluMi the (lairyinon of Now York State 
were in a tight to throw of!’ the f^haekh's of 
the milk trust, which Iiad houiul them hand ami 
foot for forty yenr.s. the milk dealers tiled .a formal 
comi»laint vvitli the Attorney Oeueral against John 
J. Dillon, the Commissioner of the Dei>artment of 
Foods and Markets, alleging that he was nnl.awfnlly 
using the State Deparfment in the interest of 
milk producers and against them, and demanding 
that proeei'dtngs he instituted to rmnove him from 
cilice on the complaint cited. 
rilerton K. T,ewis was at that time I’irst Assistant 
Attorney CSeneral. and was in charge of the case. 
Ills otlice had heen cooperating with the Department 
for two yeans in an effort to help tin' dairymen out 
of a .situation which had been constantly going from 
bad to worse, and he was fully advised by the De¬ 
partment a.s to .all the facts relating t'.> the milk 
problem and particularly a.s to the milk tight which 
was then going on. He, of course, could not otlicially 
Ignore the formal complaint of the miik dealens. 
lie did not. He made apjilicatiou to the court and 
secured the apimintmcnt of a referee to take testi¬ 
mony. This \vas while tlie milk tight was going ou. 
The dealers alleged tl\eir Imsiness was being ruined: 
and, more seriou-s still, that famiue was threatening 
the children and the pe(>ple of the city. They 
pleaded that time was all important—and it wa.s to 
t-iipiii—and they imsisted that ^Ir. Dillon be called 
at once a.s a witness and their attorney given an 
opportunity to cross-examine him and liockle him iu 
the hope that they could arouse the sentiment of the 
city con.sumers against him. and force the retire¬ 
ment of himself and tlie Department from the milk 
fight. 
CONSTUHHTIVF WORK.—Mr. l.ewis might have 
easily interpreted his duty as Attorne,v Oeneral of 
tlie State to further their designs. The Agrieulttiral 
Department had declared itself neutral, and Oover- 
nor Whltmun’s inlerference to restrict the Depart¬ 
ment had been suppressed by the pnniential remin¬ 
der of an .ipproacbing eleetion. ;Mr. Lewis, how¬ 
ever. deeided that the reports on lile in bis oflioe 
from the Department were as mueb a complaint 
against the dealers ns their formal charges com¬ 
plained against the Department: and he proposed to 
do Ills full duty by conducting an imiuiry as to both. 
T'he compl-iint against tlie milk trust, however, he 
considered the more serious of tlie two. and he 
therefore began his investigation of the dealers lirst. 
The pleadings and protests of the dealers were long 
and eloquent, and insistent: but Mr. I.ev.is was 
immovable. He knew that the dairymen were right 
in their contentions. He knew that tliey were bring¬ 
ing to the city every rpiart of milk that they could 
deliver through the pasteurizers and cans they con¬ 
trolled. He knew that the dealers could deliver 
the full city .supply any lime they wanted to rec¬ 
ognize the producers’ right to a voice in making the 
price of milk. Mr. Lewis knew that the Department 
was fully justified under the law in the work it 
was doing. He resisted the appeals and intluences 
of the milk dealers: and protected the Department 
of Foods and M'.irkots iu its fight for milk pro- 
clucer.s. When the referee refused to let him go into 
the dealers’ records and show their profits he dropped 
the inquiry altogether. 
STAND r.V A ITIIF.ND.—Not a single fact in this 
recital can he questioned. Hvery one of them is jet 
feiisceptible of unquestioned proof. Merton F.. liOwis 
is now designated as one of the aspirants for nomi¬ 
nation as (Joveruor in the Itepuhlican ]irimar>. 
When he had au opportunity and when others were 
hesitating, he came out strong and hold and stood 
in clear view on the side of the farmer. It is now 
the farmers’ privilege, if thej' so will it, to stand up 
for the man who, in the time of need, stood by 
them. 
IShe RURAL NEW-YORKER 
We want to get in shape so almost any kind of a’ 
man can st.and with his Inimls in his pockets and say, 
T represent the intelligence, worth, business ability, 
good citizenship and votes of nO.OOO of a.s good men 
as any in the world. Tliese HO.tMX) men like to grow 
wool and are going to do it. Individually ami col¬ 
lectively they believe the United States should grow its 
own wool, same as it grows its other necessities, and 
that there is criminal negligence somewhere that 
wool is a deficit. These 50,000 men know, as every 
sane man should know, that wool would he a surplus 
if the ju'ico had heen .iust, hut that tlie sheep industry 
lias always been nucei'tain, and they positively will con¬ 
tinue tiK'ir efl'orts until America will no longer he dis¬ 
graced by a shortage of wool. These ,50,000 men could 
(iri>i> sheep and change to sure things, but Avill not. 
I’atriotism, business and common seus(' influence tliem 
t'i compel conditions that will put the sheep industry 
on a ])erinanently solid basis. All these men are watch¬ 
ing what I do here, and 1 am proud oC it. They are 
watching you. also.” 
Uin' yoiir can bring such conditions tlnit a representa¬ 
tive can talk that way, and he can have the plan along 
to win. W. W. REY>’OLDS. 
Ohio. _ _ 
A Statement About Wool Prices 
We have had tnany questions from our readers re¬ 
garding wool prices tind the difference in price be¬ 
tween .scottred and unwashed wool. The following 
statement lias been issiw'd hj' E. S. Brigham, Agri¬ 
cultural Commissioner of Vermont, and it states the 
ce.se plainly for the New England States: 
The War Industries Board has fixed the price of the 
1018 clip of wool ou tlie i)asis of prices_obtuined at 
Atlantic seaboard markets on July oO. 1017. 
The prices are on tlie cloau scoured basis and for 
the New England states are as follows: 
Fine delaine . ^1.85 
Fine clothing, choice. 1.7.5 
Average 1. 1 0 
Half-hlood staple 
Half-blood clothing .$1.00 
Three-eighths staple . 
Three-eighths clothing . 
(juarter-l)lood staple . 
(juarter-hlood clothing . l.tIO 
Low quarti'r-blood . l.lj 
Common and braid. 1.07 
Since the wool grower offers his wool in the grease, 
the (litflculty is to reduce the prices above named to the 
“wool iu tile grease” basis. To assist iu this problem, 
the following table of shrinkages lias been issued as 
covering the grades grown iu the New England States: 
IVaslied— Ber Cent 
.. l.OS 
to 102 
.. 1.42 
. . 1.42 
i.:’.2 
52 to 
5:; to 
Fine delaine 
Fine clothing 
Unwaslied— 
Fine delaine .-58 to 
Fine clothiug .<»1 to 
Half-blood staple .-Yl to 
Half-blood clotliing .50 to 
Three-eighths staple .4-5 to 
Three-eighths clothiug .40 to 
(}uarter-blood clothing .-l.”> to 
(juarter-blood staple .4*2 to 
Low quarter-blood .40 to 
50 
05 
(i.5 
58 
(H) 
4'.) 
.50 
17 
45 
44 
nmnner, the loss in food production would exceed any 
wastage wliich could occur if Mr. Hoover’s advice and 
restrictions W'Cre wholly disregarded. 
Tliere is danger that many farm laliorers of middle 
life, who would he entitled to deferred classification, 
would refuse to ask for or accept exemption : preferring 
the excitement and glory of army life to the drudgery 
of the farm. Before this matter came under discn.s.sion. 
all axithoritio.s agreed that the average man over 40 
M'as* not suitable for a soldii'r, as he lacked endui'ance 
to withstand the hardships of army life, and could not 
reciqierate quickly enough from the fatigue of the march 
anil the battle; and within a couple of months some of 
onr most celebrated generals were quoted as saying that 
they (lid not want soldiei’s of middle age. (Vmseiinently, 
men of 40 and over believed themselves unfitted for sol- 
(liers. did not feel it incumbent upon them to seek en¬ 
listment, and contented tliemselves witli equally valu¬ 
able .service in the world of industry. But if it is now 
understood that the (}overnment will draft ineii of 
middle life, many men of 40 !uid over will insist upon 
entering the army, even if entitled to exemption. 
Tlie Oovernmeiit has eiiconragi'd the farmers to be¬ 
lieve that they are performing as valualile service in tlie 
way of winning the war as tlie soldiers in tlie field, and 
has till'd in every way to stimulate food production. 
Secretary McAdoo recently said tliat no industry is 
more vital to the war than raising wheat, corn, live 
stock, and other food products. AVe have tried to re¬ 
spond to the appeals of the country, despite tlie difli- 
culties under wliich we are working; and we fee! that 
we deserve the full .support of the (Jovernment, ami not 
to have added obstacles put in our way. 
Onr military strength is measured not by the nnmhev 
of men wo are able to turn into soldiers, hut the number 
of soldiers we can keep adequately supplied with the 
.sinews of war. If onr army is increased, we must in¬ 
crease onr supplies iu proportion ; jinii we have further 
obligated ourselves to supply the stricken countries of 
Europe with foodstnff.s. and must continue to do so 
for many years after the war lias ended. For these 
reasons it is of the most vital importance that ahle- 
hoiliod and experienced men should he i-etaineil in the 
field of industry, and those from 440 to 45 years of age 
are the best qualiliod for this service. 'They Inne suf- 
licient vitality to carry ou the work to which they have 
grown accustomed during half their lifetime, and they 
have a knowledge and experience acqnin'd by years of 
application which could not be gained in a short time 
by any substitute. 
No one can question the wisdom of raising a large 
army to end the war speedily, but it seems to me that 
if the maximum draft age were li.xed at 40 (which 
would be fur loss likely to disturb industry) it would 
provide as many now soldiers as are needed. 
For these rea.sons I earnestly hoiie that we ina.v se¬ 
cure a modification of Mie proposed law, so that the 
maximum draft age may he raised no higher than 40, 
as being less likely to disturb industrial and agrii'iilturnl 
interests in this country. gko. n. vaxdkuuoei.. 
New Jersey. 
IL N.-A'.—AA'e cannot add to the strength and clear¬ 
ness of tliis sensible and moderate argiimeiit. 
Common and braid.42 to 44 
q'o make jiractical application of tlie above tables, if 
a farmer has avooI which will grade as three-eighths 
staple, the price on the clean scoured basis is -$1.45 per 
li-mnd. AA'e note iu the table of shrinkages that three- 
eightiis staple, in Ihe grease, will shrink from 4.5 to 40 
per cent. Let us assume that a particular lot will 
.shrink 47 per cent, ’riierefore, .58 per cent of the w’^eight 
of the wool iu the grease w^ be clean scoured wool. 
Fifty-three ]H'r cent of $1.45^iuals 7().8,5 cents, which 
should he tlie jn’ice of three-eighths staple in the grease. 
Out of this price, liowever. must be deducted an allow¬ 
ance of 1^ cents per piniiid to cover dealer’s charges 
from grower to loading wool on board cars, if the grower 
sells to a country dealer, also tlie freight from the 
sliippiiig point to the market and au allowance for 
moisture shrinkage and interest. The Jreight from 
Northern A'ermoiit points to Boston is 751^ cents per 
luindred weight. A lot of three-eighths staple wool iu 
the grease should, therefore, bring the grower slightly 
over 74 cents per pound. 
A grower may consign to an approved dealer on his 
own account, iu which case he would have the benefit of 
the 1^2 cents per pound allowed tlie country dealer 
whose services would be dispensed with. 
The New Draft Law 
A Wool Growers’ Association 
On page ‘->82, ,T. C. 0. remarks that “next Winter, if 
lie can find the time.” he wants to take step.s to form 
an association. Good. I ajipropi'iate a statement ou 
the .'ame page from H. H. S.. which the editor wisely 
jiut in italics, ‘"TJnoi'fittitlzcd (if/vicultlire (wool iii'oietnif) 
fs' hHlindiiiilhi nellhifi viiuiiiiriihcd prodiictfi io a leeJl- 
ii:formed hodij of hutiers." 
AA’e have a 8tate association here, and intend to have 
ns ihucli itifltience as should he expected from little old 
Ohio, blit we crave (he help of the whole East and pleaij 
with J. C. G. and all other sheepmen to take ‘4111' time” 
and begin now, .so as to have a good start for intensive 
work next AA’intei". You nmhn'staud oiii' Ohio nniou i.s 
hut a few moiith.s old. hut the lone grower pres<'ut when 
the price was .-.et was asked how many wool gi’owers 
111 repre.srtiled. That question h;is taught us a le.sson. 
When younger, I appeared before au Ohio Senate com¬ 
mittee oil a jiliase of the wool subject, and the member.s 
sat .snug as if they owned the Oaiiitol, but would hear 
with the inconveiiieuce of luy presence. I represented a 
few iudividuaib and of course uothiiig came of it. 
I write to solicit the influeuce of Tun It. N.-Y. to 
prevent the proposed exteu.sion of the draft age to in¬ 
clude men between the ages of 40 niid 45. as provided iu 
the new man-power hill now pending before Congress. 
I understood that 40 was the maximum age iu contem¬ 
plation when Cougress adjourned, and I am sorry to 
see that it is now proposed to make it 45, for I fear 
that so radical a change in the present law will have 
the effect of crippling industry and lessening food pro- 
diictiou. 
’The labor situation throughout the country is acute. 
From all sections come coniplaiiits of insufficient help 
])roporly to man the factories, to mine coal, or to har¬ 
vest the criqis. ’I'he farmers are relying chiefly upon 
men over 40 years of age, for younger men are not avail¬ 
able. as they jirefer other forms of eniploynient. AVe 
also have some older employees—men of 50 and (10, 
init tliey lack strength and initiative, and are obliged 
to wait for the younger and .stronger men to set the 
jiace. Now if the draft should be extended to include 
men between 40 and 45, it would take the very men we 
are deiieiiding upon, and would certainly decrease food 
produi-tioii. 
It i.s said that the new law will contain exemptions 
to proteet farm labor; hut exemptions will afford only 
jiartial relief, ’riiere are similar exemiitions in the 
present law, hut they have not iireveiited a most serious 
sliortage ot labor. If all farmers and farm laborers 
between 40 and -15 are reiiiiired to leave their work to 
gi> before registration hoards, medical hoards, draft 
hoards and iierlnqis district hoards; and to go about 
getting affidavits to prove the nature of their emiiloy- 
mi lit, they will lose several ilays from the vital service 
of food p'rodnetion ; and the iiiterrnption may occur at 
a time when the crops will suffer from tliis neglect. If 
.several thoasaiul farmers each lose a few days iu this 
Up-State Farm Notes 
BREEDERS’ PICNIC.—At the second aiiiinal pimiie 
of the Caynga County I’reoders’ Association, held on the 
farm of E. AN’. Mosher, near Aurora, ovoi* (550 people 
enjoyed a day of interesting sightseeing and si-cnrod 
much impetus for their work a.s farmers. Mi'. Alo.slier 
sliowed hi.s fine purebred Jerseys, which he began breed¬ 
ing in LS0(*>. The first cow he started with had a record 
of 18.17 Ihs. of milk and 7-'54 lbs. of butter in a year. 
He lias raised 505 animals Avith the blood of that cow, 
71 of which Inue been placed in the advaiiia'il regi.ster 
of merit. Ail of his fine lierd is of his own breeding. 
William Alai'shali of Union Springs showed his line 
Belgian horses, with Avhich he has won several jirize.s 
at the State Fair. Prof. Hurd, (^oruell, poultry expert, 
explained liinv to seleet the best laying hens from the 
farm flock. Prof. Leonard of AA’ashingtoii urged the 
matter of accredited herds tested for tnherculosi.s. He 
said the goA'ernmciit Avill furnish a veterinarian free for 
iaspectiim of herds and if passed the herd is placi*<l on 
the certified list and the owner is entitled to inter-state 
shipments Avithout the red tape and trouble of freipieiit 
inspection. 
NOTED FARMER DIES.—Hamlet AA’orker, 78 years 
of age, and one of the best-known farmers iu Central 
New York, is dead. He Avas one Avho first heliied to 
make Onondaga County famous for its Alfalfa and Avas 
widely recognized as a horticulturist—also as a grower, 
of new and most excellent varieties of corn. He Avas 
born ill Eiigland anil had lived for 80 years ou a most 
interesting and profitable farm on the Fay Road. Be¬ 
sides these live farming interests, he has done much for 
the Onondaga Indian Re.servatioii. Avas director of tlie 
City Bank of Syracuse. Past Master of Onondaga 
County Pomona Grange and treasurer and foimdor of 
Geiides Grange. He helped build up the Onondaga 
County Farm Bureau and Avas an active member of the 
Syracuse Rose Society—one of the country’s insiiira- 
tious to better farming and better living. 
RECORD LOAD OF BERRUIS.- AA’illiam Hoiiick 
of AA'aytie, the berry king of that section, delivered Avhat 
i.; thought to be the record load of evaporated berries 
to a Av.arehou.se last Aveek and received in payment a 
I'heck for .$2,181. The berries Avere of excellent quality, 
brought 50c a pound, and the load Aveighed 4,2(52 pounds, 
a crop to be proud of. 
ONONDAGA FARMERS’ PICNIC.— Every year 
since 1877 Onondaga County farmers have hold a day 
of relaxation at Lung P»raiich. Last ’Tliiirsday, one of 
(he biggest days in -H years aa'Os held, AA’itli not a horse 
on the grounds, hut antomohiles in great uumbers. 
Nineteen toAviis of the county, and the ninetei'ii wards 
of the city, Avith visitors from Cortland. Aladison. (Jswego 
and Caynga counties, had a jolly time, not the least of 
the interest of whicli Avere thi* ri'unioiis and rmiiinis- 
ceiices of jiioiieer farmers of tliis seetioii, many of avIioiu 
have seen the country grow up ami have never missed 
one of these annual events. 
H.\A’ DEALERS BROADEN SCOPE.—The New 
A'ork State Hav J>('alers’ .Association eoiivened in Syra¬ 
cuse this week.* About 200 members were present and 
they oiK'iu'd the doors of the association to include in 
future 200 grain dealers, as they lonnd that SO jier cent 
of the hay dealers Avere also engaged in the grain busi¬ 
ness. Congressman .Magee spoke, nrgin.g ji'd'''ious 
economy ns a Avar measure. He says Ncav York State 
is payiiig 40 jier cent of tin' natiuirs war tax. other 
speakers df note gave interesting talks, including G. B. 
Bridge, chief of the forage dopartiueut of the Army. 
21. q. F. 
