dead wagon

n. a vehicle used as part of a protection racket in which uncooperative distributors of milk, soda fountain syrups, or other products are forced out of business by undercutting their prices and other tactics. Subjects: New York City, English

Editorial Note: This term is now historical, as is the once more common meaning of dead wagon, a vehicle used as an ambulance or to transport corpses.

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Citations: 1909 Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln) (Dec. 26) “Milk Trust Gets Airing” (in New York City) p. 3: The “dead wagon” was put on the Harlem company’s trade. This wagon is run by the protective association nominally to collect milk cans, witnesses testified, but its real value lies in the canvassing of every customer of a dealer marked for destructions. His price is cut and milk is offered even below cost price to win away his customers. 1910 New York Times (Jan. 8) “Fixing Milk Prices”: Mr. Herkstroter said that he “had heard” there was sort of agreement among the milk dealers of the city not to undersell each other and that the “dead wagon” was run against offenders. 1929 New York Times (Oct. 25) “Threats on His Life Disclosed by Groat” p. 23: Allis, who said he had been without a business for the past seven months, told how he had received an offer of $100 a week from Fay to ride a “dead wagon” distributing cheap milk to grocers served by recalcitrant dealers. 1931 New York Times (Aug. 7) “Swear Syrup Ring Boasted City ‘Pull’” p. 6: He said he was told he was “in a bottle already,” and in two weeks three-fourths of his customers, from 300 to 400, were taken away from him by the organization underselling with the “dead wagons.” 2004 Andrew Coe Gastronomica (Summer) “The Egg Cream Racket”: Harry Dolowich’s plans crystallized when Larry Fay hit the headlines in mid-1929.…About one hundred independent milk dealers paid thousands apiece for membership in the Milk Chain; in return Fay guaranteed to keep the price of milk high. Those who couldn’t afford the dues, or attempted to sell for less, found that wholesalers wouldn’t supply them, health inspectors would harass them, and their customers would receive visits from the “dead wagons.” These were association trucks that undersold recalcitrant dealers, causing retailers to drop their regular suppliers. After a few weeks of dead wagons, the holdouts usually had to shut their doors.

Posted 31 Mar 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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