Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1911-02-23

that the railroad took IA per cent,
while the balance, or Sc per cent, went
to the middlemen.
Some Recommendations.
Summarizing the conclusions Of the
convention, its committee on market
ing and transportation submitted the
following report and recommendations
Your committee on marketing. transpor-
tation and grievances offers the following
report:
We believe the greatest disbursement
to farmers today is the fact that they get
only between 30 and so per cent Of the
consumers dollar for their produce.
system has been built up and perfected
backed by large capital. whereby nearly
all farm produce must be marketed
through commission merchants, who dis
pose of the produce TO tobbers, specu-
lators and cold storage men. They do
not to any considerable extent sell direct
ly TO retail dealers or consumers. The
result is that three or more classes OF
dealers take a profit out OF the farmer
before his produce reaches the ultimate
consumer. This system Is strongly in
trenChed and will fight hard to defeat any
legislation which will permit the pro-
Queer and consumer TO come into closer
relations or which will establish general
and effective supervision over their bust
ness.
We make the following recommenda-
tions:
First-Thata law be passed amending the
general agricultural law, authorizing and
directing the state commissioner Of agri-
culture TO collect and disseminate TO resi-
dents Of this state all Information possible
relative TO agriculture. agricultural labor
and the markets for agricultural prod
ucts; that the agricultural law be further
amended so as To require all persons
firms or corporations in this state receiy-
ing farm produce Of any kind FOR sale on
commission 10 keep a correct record or
the amount and kinds Of such produce
received and Of the sales thereof and the
prices received therefor together with the
dates Of the receipt and sale and the
names and addresses of the shipper and
purchaser and that such record shall be
open TO the inspection of the shipper or
consignOr OF such goods and to the COM
missioner Of agriculture or his duly au-
thorized representative.
Secondhand a law be passed requiring
all persons, firms or corporations receiv-
ing farm produce within this state for
sale on commission TO take out a license
from the proper state officer or depart
ment and 10 give adequate bonds OF sure
~ and fidelity.
Third. That a law be passed authoriz-
ing and requiring the commissioner OF
all sales of farm produce on commission
within this state and to investigate com
plants of shippers consignors within
this state regarding the sale or transpor
tation of farm produce, with proper pro-
vision for compelling the attendance OF
witnesses taking testimony under oath
and for collecting evidence In any matter
relating to the transportation or sale Of
farm produce.
Fourth.-That system be organized by
which producers and consumers may be
brought into closer business relations.
This work could well be undertaken by
the grange. so that every community
through its local grange could sell the
farm produce Of that community directly
to the retail dealers. This would require
selling agents In every market town or
city to canvass the retail trade and take
orders every day to be transmitted at
once directly or In the large cities through
a general Office to the various localities
where the orders could be filled and ship
ped direct TO the retail dealers. Each sell
Ing agent would act as collector for all
produce he sold In large cities each sell
ing agent would cover specified district
and would be governed by instructions
from a general Office and report thereto
The local oranges or other organizations
would receive orders and see that they
were properly filled and would keep the
selling agents or general offices In the
towns and cities advised Of the kind and
quantity of produce to be shipped, and
would exercise general supervision over
grading and packing.
Fifth.-That the New York State Agri-
cultural society should urge the enact
n>ent of law establishing a general par
cells post, TO the end that the farmers of
this state might transport quickly and
cheaply much OF their produce directly to
the consumers. thereby greatly lessening
the cost OF living In cities and towns and
ut the same time giving more adequate
retarns to the producers.