FROM MILK TO CONSUMER 253 



ated, milking-machines keep out extraneous bacteria and 

 have the great advantage of preventing possible infection 

 from the hands and person of the milker. Every device that 

 avoids human touch is a distinct gain in the milk industry. 

 The machines, however, are compHcated and liable to acci- 

 dents which are annoying, and are very difficult to keep 

 clean. So far, no entirely satisfactory milking-machine has 

 been devised. 



The middleman 



The middleman occupies a peculiar position in the milk 

 industry. He is a necessity in all cities where the milk 

 comes from distances farther than a wagon haul. The 

 middleman buys the milk of the farmer, brings it to town, 

 and distributes it to the consumer. In Boston and other 

 large cities the middleman is known as the contractor. 



The middleman is the point of attack from all sides. 

 The farmer complains that the middleman pays him too 

 little for his milk; the consumer complains that he charges 

 him too much. The health officer attacks the middleman 

 for violation of the milk ordinances, and the Government 

 pounces upon him for combinations in restraint of trade. 

 Altogether his lot is not a happy one. The competition is 

 fierce and the methods not always above reproach. Never- 

 theless it is my belief that the middleman, or large con- 

 tractor, is a power for great good in the milk industry. In 

 fact, this concentration of the business is just the right key 

 which fits the lock of many of the most perplexing problems 

 in our subject. 



It is evidently much easier to control, educate, and regu- 

 late a few large contractors than hundreds of small inde- 

 pendent dealers. In Boston a large percentage of the milk 

 is supplied through three large contracting firms. This 

 concentration makes it easier for the health officer to 

 enforce the ordinances, permits cooperation, which is 

 so essential, and facilitates the administration of the law. 



