DISTRIBUTION OF MILK 91 



The pay of milk drivers is most frequently a combina- 

 tion of salary and commission. In some cases, however, 

 a straight salary is paid, and in other instances a straight 

 commission on sales is the basis. Frequently there are 

 bonuses of various sorts, as, for example, for a new cus- 

 tomer, for the return of a large percentage of empties, 

 and even for the appearance of the delivery outfit. 1 



An expensive phase of milk delivery is the collection 

 of small accounts from many consumers. The difficulty 

 of collection is aggravated by the fact that the amounts 

 are for the most part too small to take to court in case the 

 debtor will not settle. The particular methods in use are 

 to some extent matters of custom and to some extent of 

 preference. In some of the larger cities the collection is 

 done largely by special collectors, the drivers doing 

 nothing but delivering. Where this practice is followed, 

 monthly statements are mailed to the customers, and the 

 collectors visit only those who are delinquent in their pay- 

 ment. The opposite is the practice in some instances, 

 where the whole burden of collection is placed upon the 

 driver, he being held responsible for the value of any milk 

 sold and not paid for. Here the drivers may make col- 

 lections at every opportunity or they may make a return 

 trip once or twice a month for the purpose of collecting. 



A method which has come into quite general use in 

 some cities is that of the use of tickets which are sold for 

 cash. This system seems to be excellent in the case of day- 

 light delivery but has some disadvantages in the case of 

 night delivery. For example, in the latter case there is 

 often trouble with theft, especially in the poorer sections. 

 Then the ticket system usually requires that the con- 

 sumer place a bottle and a ticket at a customary place 



1 Milk Plant Letter 42, August, 1917. 



