Milking Time

When Richard Nixon returned home from World War II, he told a gathering of American dairymen last September, the thing that he wanted most was "a glass of good, fresh milk." The assembly cheered lustily, and for good reason. Only six months before, the Administration had reversed a hold-the-line policy and raised the federal price support levels for dairy products. The hike came two days after the President had met with a delegation of dairymen.

Now another prominent milk drinker, Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader, and several public-interest groups have filed suit in federal court to have the increase invalidated. Nader charges that in return for the higher price-support levels, the milkmen have been delivering more than farm-fresh dairy products to the Administration and that both groups have been milking the consumer. Between March and November 1971, Nader says, industry associations have channeled $322,500 into the Republican campaign coffers. The White House has refused comment, since the case is before the courts. But Nixon doubtless wishes Nader would switch from milk to, say, hemlock.

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