90 THE AGRICULTURAL BLOC 



easily serve the needs with much greater econ- 

 omy. The outstanding example of the latter is 

 the case of retail milk distribution. The dupli- 

 cation of milk deliveries when handled by sev- 

 eral firms using almost exactly the same grades 

 of milk are operating over the same territory. 



One properly organized cooperative organiza- 

 tion might easily serve milk to all of the people 

 just as we have now in most cities a single 

 water, gas, or electric light company, chartered 

 to serve all the people under certain public 

 regulations. When the product to be handled 

 is exactly the same, there is nothing to be gained 

 by multiplying the organizations engaged in dis- 

 tribution. When one agency, whether public or 

 private, controls the distribution, however, it 

 is necessary to have strict public supervision 

 through legislation in order to protect the pub- 

 lic interest. 



It is difficult to see where our distributing 

 system will end if it continues to grow as it has 

 during the past few decades. Out of about 

 41,600,000 people, engaged in gainful occupa- 

 tion, 29,500,000 are engaged in manufacturing, 

 transportation and distribution, or in rendering 

 services other than actual production. Most of 

 these services are necessary in our complex sys- 



