604 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



BULLETIN NO. ^ 



November 5, 1915 



The information received by the Department is to the effect that 

 eggs placed in storage in March, April, and May, at prices ranging 

 from 1 8 to 21 cents per dozen, and which could be sold at wholesale 

 at this time with a reasonable profit at 23 to 24 cents per dozen and 

 retailed to the consumer at not to exceed 30 cents as cold-storage eggs, 

 are being sold to the consumer at prices ranging from 35 to 60 cents 

 per dozen. Besides being a hardship to the average family of modest 

 means, this excessive price restricts consumption and indirectly dis- 

 courages the production of eggs. It is to the interest of all concerned 

 that, when there is a surplus and prices are low, eggs should be placed 

 in storage for consumption in times of scanty production, and the 

 investor must be allowed a fair percentage of profit for his investment 

 and risk, but storage facilities is something of a public utility and 

 excessive speculation in stored products is an injustice to the consumer 

 and even of doubtful benefit to the dealer. 



Under the authority of the state statute, retailers are directed to 

 demand of their supply houses invoices plainly marked "cold-storage 

 eggs," and housewives are requested to demand receipts from retailers 

 plainly marked with "cold-storage" or "fresh eggs," as the purchase 

 may warrant. 



In any case of violation or refusal, or in any case where eggs 

 bought as "fresh" are thought to be "cold-storage eggs," report 

 should be promptly made to the New York State Department of 

 Foods and Markets, 204 Franklin Street, New York City, with all 

 the details of the transaction. 



The present wholesale price of cold-storage eggs does not justify 

 a retail price hi excess of 30 cents per dozen for best quality cold- 

 storage eggs. Such eggs are now on sale at various places in the city 

 at this figure, and if the housewife is unable to secure her supplies at 

 this cost, the Department will direct her to retailers who will be glad 

 to supply them at this price. 



The entire force of this Department, and the state and city health 

 departments, numbering nearly 100 men and covering the entire city, 

 have been directed to watch particularly from now on for the violation 

 of the cold-storage law in the sale of eggs in the wholesale, jobbing, 

 and retailing trade. Evidences of violation of the law will be gathered 

 and reported, and where this evidence justifies, prosecution will follow. 

 Sufficient warning has now been given to the trade, and where informa- 



