140 THE MODERN MILK PROBLEM 



and experiment, and concludes with a plea for cen- 

 tral delivery under municipal management of milk 

 supplies. 



Various practical objections have been brought 

 against the idea of a central delivery, either privately 

 or municipally managed. A number of such objections 

 were collected by the Boston Chamber of Commerce 

 committee. 11 The idea has apparently not been tried 

 in practice. As a trade measure such centralization 

 would necessitate the actual formation of companies 

 large enough to undertake all the operations connected 

 with large volumes of milk, for delivery is so vital and 

 competitive a part of local milk trade that it is difficult 

 to see how mere co-operation could be made to harmo- 

 nize with individual interests. Otherwise the indi- 

 vidual dealer would be left so limited scope for initiative 

 and activity in competition that general discontent 

 would be inevitable, and either complete amalgamation 

 or the restoration of previous conditions would be a 

 forced conclusion. Co-operative plans and municipaliz- 

 ation will be further discussed in Chapter V. A general 

 criticism of such proposals is that they minimize or 

 omit practical difficulties and dangers in organization 

 and operation. 



The tendency of the trade in the cities to become 

 concentrated in the hands of comparatively few dealers 

 or companies is a hopeful factor in the delivery situa- 

 tion. It is clear that such concentration favors greater 

 efficiency and economy in handling in all respects. It 

 may be added that the sale of milk from properly 

 supervised stores is another means of lowering the cost 

 of distribution. 



