The Lamar Register

Milk Producers Meet.

The dairymen and milk shippers contiguous to Chicago held a convention Feb. 10th for the purpose of establishing a permanent organization to be known as "The Milk Producers' Institute," with the object of a closely mutual exchange of thought, to educate and instruct those interested in the economic and sanitary production of milk and for the discussion of all topics, methods and matters relating to the business, with a view to elevate it as an industry to a higher moral, physical and financial standard. The Hon. D. D. Hunt, of De Kalb, chairman of the convention, appointed an organization committee of twenty-five, one member from each line of railroad and branch over which milk is shipped into Chicago and the remainder at large.

The majority of addresses were by Chicago men from the Pure Food Commission and the Dairy Inspectors' offices. The subject, however, that seemed most to interest those in attendance was the question of feeding wet malt to dairy cows and many sharp, pertinent sallies, seasoned by not a little wit, was in constant play during the discussions that followed the speeches. The milk shippers on the Northwestern line claimed discrimination in favor of the "Q" shippers, as they are allowed to feed wet malt and the Northwestern shippers are not. The claim was made by the department that their force was so small they couldn't cover all the territory. Many wanted to know why the city, if it attempted to enforce the ordinance against wet malt, could not make adequate appropriations to put on sufficient men to do it right—to see that all the territory was covered and the law enforced with one as another—or not at all. Attention was called to the fact that there are ample funds available to do this, in fact that less than one-third of such funds were applied to such inspection. The question of dirty cans, the loss of cans and unfair methods of dealers in general was more or less thoroughly discussed. It is with a view of adjusting these grievances that the organization is projected and the co-operation of every shipper will add just so much to the effectiveness of the work done and benefits secured directly and indirectly.