112 



crease the consumtiou oi' tlie iruit ;i::d at tlie same time net 

 the producer 20 to 50% more for liis crop. 



For a number of years I have had an opportunity of 

 studying the economy of distributing standard goods from 

 producer to consumer and it is interesting to note what can 

 be saved for the consumer by eliminating wasteful and un- 

 truthful advertising and unnecessary duplieation of other 

 expenses, through the old method of distribution. " Compe- 

 tition is the life of trade" is an old saying. General Sher 

 man described the moJein article when he gave his beautiful 

 synonym for vrar, learned from experience. 



The distribution of food has been a gradual evolution 

 from time iii'memorial having its inception as barter and 

 exchange loc: lly. With the enlargement of the community's 

 horizcn incieased methods of distribution have followea 

 lines of leatt.t resistance and as no' franchise was necessary 

 there has been no public si'pervision till recent years of any 

 phase of the food problem as in case of other utilities. 



The clock has struck for some change in our present 

 methods of distiibution. That change must be based on th^ 

 spirit of cooper;^tion. I need only to call your attention to 

 the metliod of l.andling citrus foods and other products in 

 the West, you already knoAV the story. You also know how 

 the YVestcrn apj^le is crowding into New England. What 

 are you going to do about it? What interests us mostly i'"> 

 increasing the consumption of New England apples. I think 

 I saw it stated in seme literature sent out by our society that 

 if each of the SCO. COO families in Massachusetts- would buy a 

 barrel of apples it would take cnrc of the ?Ja'isaKhuset!:s 

 crop this ycir. It is up to the JMassachunett."; prnd;:cor to 

 bring it a') cut. 



Whnt - i' ■ •■ ..;.. v..„t;:-:. 



-^■■^tofth' '^crlit'?:- m- 



plaeei :r Boston at the price named plus c^st 



