This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 26 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Oct 06, 1900
Page
5
A councilman and dairy workers discuss the milk trust, noting farmers pay freight via distance zones and shrinkage on butter and cheese, while the trust profits from market control. They contend prices rise to milk farmers but impose costs, and question municipal price investigations.
Boston residents pressure the Milk Trust by boycotting eight-cent milk across East Boston and Brighton. Grocers report reduced consumer demand, with many customers switching to condensed milk as trust shipments continue. Some shopkeepers offer seven or six cents at the wagon and store level, signaling a broader resistance to the trust and a possible disruption of supply.
Arthur H. Smith at the Manhattan market Cambridgeport Massachusetts sells milk for five cents a quart. He sources from a Wayland dairyman, purchases fresh each morning, and plans to expand supply to meet winter demand. Smith notes no trust opposition, just price control worries and aims to keep profits while selling direct to consumers.
The writer notes Boston residents misread a two cent milk price rise, explains a yearly pattern of one cent increases each autumn and one cent reductions each spring, and recounts how the 1899 jump from six to seven cents was never reversed, with additional increases this autumn.
A fragmented note describes a company tune and a lightning drill phrase. It mentions driving, hero themes, and safety messaging amid unclear context. No concrete names, dates, or locations are readable.
A pedler laments a 27 cent margin while customers flee to stores or cut orders in half. He warns the trust is strangling small traders with an indirect move and urges sticking to old prices to keep customers.
A local letter to the Post questions price controls and selling limits on milk. The writer accuses authorities of restricting trade, demanding justification for actions, and challenging implied contracts with farmers and railroads over milk cars and carloads. The piece laments restraint of trade and seeks answers.
Several milk dealers in Brighton have begun producing but refrain from expanding sales for fear of angering the dominant milk trust. The movement reflects cautious competition as producers weigh market pressures and regulatory dynamics in the local dairy trade.
In East Lexington Massachusetts Mr Morton and fellow dealer Mr Whittemore condemn D Whiting and Son for a milk trust, arguing contractors fix prices, squeeze farmers, and push milk routes to mortgage, while farmers in Vermont and New Hampshire sell at 12 to 17 cents a can. They urge direct farmer dealer relations and oppose trusts.
Massachusetts storekeepers and pedlers rally against the milk trust after threats to cut supply for appointing a lower price. The Wall Rice Company at 50 Berkeley Street placarded support with taunting slogans and plans to source milk from an out of town farmer delivering 2125 quarts daily. The scheme aims to protect dealers who break from the combine and seek independent purchase options.
Frank E. Wells from ward 16 said in Thursday’s council meeting he could name 25 or 26 stores selling milk for 6 cents a quart. A Post reporter asked him to name them. Wells cited Connor’s sign and suggested O’Keefe also sold at 6 cents, totaling over thirty stores, but Connor’s list shows eight stores and O’Keefe’s only one active shop at Minden and Gay Head streets.
Independent Brighton quarters supplying Brighton Alston and nearby areas show prices rising in step with commissioned contractors. They fear the trust and avoid discussion, with several producers who make their own milk now aligning prices to the ring. One dealer refused to talk, another claimed to be out when approached.
The Post offers space to publish names and addresses of milk pedlers and storekeepers selling milk at 6 to 7 cents a quart in defiance of the Milk Trust. The compiled lists name numerous Boston area pedlers and stores across Tremont Parker and Cambridge streets, Roxbury, Everett, Somerville, Mattapan, and East Boston, with routes and addresses in a single record.
A Cheshire County producer writes to the editor recounting decades of unsatisfactory returns from milk contracts. He claims farmers rarely receive more than 18 to 20 cents per can after deductions and urges independent competition to drive prices, noting freight costs and the need for capital to enter the market. He warns contractors’ claims about bargains are excuses and suggests starting freight car shipments from Bellows Falls to Keene to secure 22 cents per can.
Farmers near the area protest a proposed 4-cent rise arguing only local producers feel the impact. They note Vermont and New Hampshire are less affected while a few get small increases. One farmer cites reliance on the existing supply trust and resists higher charges.
Several Fast Lexington milk dealers report not receiving 8 cents for family milk and refuse to raise prices. They fear jeopardizing supply from the trust and prefer anonymity. Investigators expect the trust to lower prices itself and anticipate another meeting soon.
Mr James Wright secretary of the Retail Grocers Association expressed surprise at farmers and milk contractors dispute. He said he pays seven cents for milk and refuses eight cents, may switch to condensed milk, and noted no grocers meeting has occurred since the conflict began. He urged farmers to operate independently of contractors and sell directly to pedlers and storekeepers.
Walter S. Dennis, a Mattapan farmer and milk peddler, says he will continue charging 7 cents per quart on his Dorchester Roxbury route. He denounces the Milk Trust as greed, arguing dealers profit while farmers gain little and pledges no price rise despite trust orders.
The James H. Dalton Co. with ten Boston area groceries closes a contract with a southern farmer to supply forty cans daily starting next Monday. The amount will rise to 150 cans daily within thirty days. the farmer's name is withheld.
On his own farm and with neighbor producers, Mr Dalton plans a milk collecting hub for Boston markets. He has begun talks with northern farmers and circulated 50 000 copies urging a boycott of the Milk Trust, accusing it of harming both farmers and consumers and citing price increases from four cents per quart to four cents per pint.
A South End grocer told a Post reporter that milk sales have fallen four cans daily and bread sales have dropped six to ten counts, noting demand for bread tracks milk. He blames the Milk Trust for broad damage beyond milk alone.
A reader commends the Post for fighting milk price increases by the milk trust and urges actions against the beef trust after victory. The letter cites D Whiting and Sons as a customer and notes milk selling at 6 cents a quart as a standard. Sublime Independence signs the letter.
A Boston letter dated October 6 praises exposés of milk trust extortions as harmful to the poor and threatens the free government. It commends the Post and urges citizens to back dealers and storekeepers who refuse to cooperate with trusts.
The Hasty Pudding Club of Harvard elected leaders for the coming year. Officers named include President J Lawrence Jr, Vice President C H Whitney, Secretary I W Kendall, Treasurer Jr Blythe, Chorister W H Pride, Hbrardan W Greene, Keeper of Records H Lyman.
Three year old Edward Powers of 10 Suffolk Street Cambridge died after morning incident at Cambridge Hospital. He lit matches while left alone briefly, causing self immolation and severe burns. Authorities report the boy was playing with matches unsupervised when the tragedy occurred.
Advertisement touts Dom's Ointment as a cure for eczema and skin disorders, claiming it spares children from suffering. It urges purchase at any drug store with bold, simple claims and a playful misspelling to attract buyers.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.