New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
GREAT IMPORTANCE OF AN INDUSTRY IN
WHICH NETWORK LEADS
THE WORLD

man with his cart and bell, whose daily sales
average few gallons. shares In the RESPONSE
bility with the wholesaler and the purveyor OK
large quantities
The health OF the community is affected great
iy by the milk sold in its midst fact which is
attested by the extreme watchfulness which Is
kept upon this industry by the Health De-
partment There is, in fact, no line Of business
to which a greater share of attention Is given
by those uporr whom devoive the sahi'af! ie-
sponsibilities Of the city.
This fact does not necessarily detract from the
character of those who are engaged In sell
ing milk and must not be taken indication
that the milk dealer is an irresponsible person
with no thought but for his own proht. Such Is
certainly not the case, and the best evidence OF
II is the fact that he frequently courts investi-
cation voluntarily and is ready to aid the De-
partment as far as lies in his power
AN ENORMOUS INDUSTRY
There are in New-York 1880 stores where
milk is sold, and about $3.50 wagons equipped
for the purpose of delivering to these stores or
direct to the consumer The following table
shows the number in each borough;
Manhattan B,CnS Rr9o sa 9rss o Richmond 200
wagons go,ss -. 800 800 $50 $50 LOO 500 100
The total consumption of milk in this city
averages from 10000 to $4,000 cans day. equal
TO from GAO 600 to 100000 quarts. The aver
age consumption per capita is 1s pints.
In addition to the large quantity of milk used
this city consumes about 5000 gallons of cream
and 1000 gallons of condensed milk every day.
The number of cows which produce the sup
ply is estimated as follows:
Manhattan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. m
Queens 90
Brooklyn % S1S
Rehmono LOW
Total cows in the city ....'.......''.'.''''' |'~0V
Total outside the city. Observation-Disclosures. 1s3 100
This shows a tremendous increase since 1896
and Is accounted for in measure by the fact
that five counties contribute to the milk
supply of New-York that formerly sent no milk
TO the city.
These counties are Montgomery, Ontario,
Rockland, Seneca and Schuyler. The milk cream
and condensed milk usually sent to the city
IN cans holding forty quarts, and in quart and
mint bottles packed In boxes; the cars used In
TRANSFORMATION are provided with iceboxes and
heating apparatus, to prevent souring in sum-
mer and freezing In winter. The facilities pro-
yided by the railroads such that the milk
is kept In good condition, and though In some
cases from eighteen to twenty hours are re-
uuired for transit the milk is still fresh when
delivered to the consumer Allowing eighteen
hours from the shipping point to the city, the
trains leaving at 6 a. m, and taking into con-
alteration the fact that the milk shipped was
that of the evening previous to shipment and
that il is not ordinarily used until nearly seven
hours after its arrival. IT will be seen that such
milk is at least thrty-six hours old before II Is
used for food
WHAT MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED.
This is a fact which will doubtless sur
prise many people. The plan for a con-
solicitation of the business Of the various
milk dealers of the city is still under con-
sideration and progress is being made toward
that end. The original plan involving capital
Of SIS, 100000 for the purpose Of consolidation
has been somewhat changed, and 1t is likely that
the final consolidation will call for the invest
ment OF a somewhat larger sum of money.
The milk dealers of the city have entered into
the consideration of the. plan with considera-
BILE interest and the general opinion seems to
be that its consummaton will prove advanta-
geous to all concerned. 1t is claimed by those
interested In the movement that the consolida-
ton will In no wise be disadvantage to the
consumers OF milk. On the other hand, they
say that 1t is not unlikely to be real beneht.
The purpose of the consolidation Is primarily
to reduce expenses. According TO the statements
of some Of the larger handlers OF milk In Tins
city the keen competition due to the large num-
Der of firms engaged In the business IN this city
has reduced the margin of profit to minimum
and it is highly essential for the benefit OF the
trade that an arrangement should be MADE
looking to a essening OF the expense OF doing
the business The present plan, 1t Is thought
may reduce the expenses as much as Oh per
cent, and 1t does not necessarily follow, there
FORE that the consolidation will cause an ad-
vance in price to the consumer. 1t Is by no
.aaapn ,,nliknlu that the combination viii be