MILK SURVEY OF THE CITY OF ROCHESTER 17 



5. The cost of production can be reduced by 



(a) eliminating low-producing cows. 



(b) collective hauling of milk. 



(c) collective buying of grain. 



6. The cost of distribution can be reduced by abolishing competition and 

 duplication through centralizing the distributing system into a single company or 

 public service corporation." 



1917, New England. (Boston Chamber of Commerce. "The Milk 

 Question in New England," R. W. Bird, Chairman; Dr. A. C. Gilbert, 

 Secretary.) 



The methods of enquiry included an audit of the dealers' books by 

 expert cost accountants, and the examination of dairy farm costs by farm 

 inspectors. 



The subject of enquiry included: Freight, the cost of handling, the 

 cost of labor, and factory cost, loss on surplus, and dairy farm costs, in- 

 cluding labor, feed, other farm expense ; country hauling, and a statement 

 of prices received by the dairy farmer. 



The Committee's recommendations include: 



"1. That the farmers through their association or community groups establish 

 their own delivery system from the farms to the railroad shipping station, and 

 wherever possible own their own receiving stations at the railroad. 



2. The question of surplus (milk) is one of the most aggravating causes for 

 the high price of milk to the consumer. The farmer should study this condition 

 carefully and endeavor to bring his cows to a producing state in a more uniform 

 manner than at the present time, because if he does not the loss due to surplus 

 must ultimately be borne by those who produce it and not by the consumers as at 

 present." 



The recommendations to milk dealers include among the others : 



"That early morning deliveries be discontinued and that all deliveries be made 

 by daylight; 



That all bottles be charged for, and credited when returned; 

 The use of a standard blank bottle." 



The Committee confesses its inability to express an opinion on the 

 subject of co-operative or centralized milk delivery. 



1917, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware. (Report of the Governor's 

 Tri-State Commission ; Bulletin No. 287 ; Pennsylvania State Department 

 of Agriculture, Dr. Clyde L. King, Chairman.) 



Methods of enquiry included: Public hearings, at which appeared 

 witnesses representing dealers, and consumers; questionnaires addressed 

 to dealers and producers. 



The subjects covered included: Statistics of the milk supply of 

 Philadelphia, Pa., Wilmington, Del., and Baltimore, Md. ; the cost of 

 handling at country milk stations; freight: delivery charges, labor; de- 





