138 MARKETING AND THE MIDDLEMAN 



Ohio's law, enacted in 1917, creates a Bureau of Markets 

 under the supervision of the State Board of Agriculture. The 

 law is apparently designed to insure cheaper products to the con- 

 sumer rather than to aid the producer. This law provides for a 

 bureau which shall investigate the cost of production and market- 

 ing of Ohio food products, to make rules and regulations for grad- 

 ing, handling, storage and sale of food; to investigate the practice 

 and methods and any specific transactions of commission mer- 

 chants and others who buy or handle food; to act on behalf of 

 consumers in conserving and protecting their interests in every 

 practicable way against excessive prices; to develop direct dealing 

 between producers and consumers; to encourage consumption of 

 Ohio grown products; to inspect and determine grade and con- 

 dition of farm products both at receiving and shipping centers; 

 to act as moderator or arbitrator in controversies between farmers 

 and shippers which affect the interest of consumers; and to gather 

 and disseminate information concerning supply and demand, pre- 

 vailing prices and shipments, including common and cold storage 

 of food products. 



Pennsylvania. This State was one of the many states which 

 passed marketing laws in the 1917 sessions of the legislature. The 

 Pennsylvania act creates a Bureau of Markets for agricultural 

 products within the State Department of Agriculture, in charge 

 of a Director of Markets appointed by the Governor upon the 

 recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture. The law aims 

 to help both producer and consumer at the same time. The 

 Director's duties include the following: 



(a) Investigate methods and practices in the production, handling, stand- 

 ardizing, grading, classifying, sorting, weighing, packing, transporting, storing, 

 inspecting and sale of agricultural products. 



(b) Gather and disseminate market information to both producers and 

 consumers. 



c) Publish market price bulletins. 



d) Publish lists of names of producers with produce for sale. 



e) Cooperate with the State College and with the Bureau of Markets 

 of the United States Department of Agriculture. 



(/) Promote cooperative associations. 



(0) Institute court proceedings to prevent unlawful combinations or 

 agreements in restraint of trade or for fixing prices. 



(h) Put into effect state grades and state certification of agricultural 

 products. 



In this act we find that the problems of standardization of 

 products and a state label or certificate for the same is very care- 

 fully considered. 



