The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-19
MILK DEALERS LOSING
 THEIR PATRONAGE
0Suecial to the Farmer.1


 Stratford, June 18.-Recently the big gest milk producing corporation in the country invaded this part of the state and put a wagon in Stratford. Yes- terday a milkman who has done bus mess in the town for several years complained of the ease with which the invaders secured customers in the town at the expense of the older deal CTS who he said were abundantly able to supply the demand. He also had something unpleasant to say about the people who had rather trade with out siders than patronize home industry. The merchant with whom he was on the people who spend their money in Bridgeport and then apply to him for credit. There is much excuse for the complaints of this character but behind the whole system there is a primary cause which must be consid- cred. There must be some good req son for the existing state of affairs. with the idea of removing the cause will throw light on the situation. In the first place the esteemed board of trade has set the example by going out of town when 1t could be as bet ter served by home talent. As the board of trade is supposed to be the watch dog of home industry the indi- vidual can hardly be blamed for ac- cepting its view of the situation and following it's example. In the case of the milk company the argument of the merchant that people go to Bridge port to trade because they can buy supplies a few cents cheaper does not hold for the big milk concern gets a cent more per quart for milk than the local dealers. In the first place the local milk men have slept too late in the morning. Consumers want their milk before breakfast and the big company, with an eye true to busi- ness. is on deck before the earliest riser in the town. Watch the driver delivers a bottle of milk to a new cus- toner. He takes a clean napkin from a pile he always carries in the wagon. He wipes the bottle carefully. Those who are up early enough to see the operation are impressed with the idea of the cleanliness of the bottle, the wagon and the clothing of the driver. Then watch the drivers of the local dealers. Further comment is unnec- essary. The object of this comparison is not to discredit local dealers but to apprise them of the fact that they are doing business in the twentieth cen tury and that the time honored COW hide boots and dirty overalls have no place in any retail business. The new company is winning new customers every day at the expense of the old dealers just because the latter refuse to adopt up-to-date methods. . It is silly to advance the claim that the people of Stratford will go to Bridge port and pay as much or more for sup plies than they can be obtained here. There is a good reason and it Is up to the merchant himself to dig it out and remedy it. Stratford is, as far as trading goes a part of Bridgeport, and it is up to the merchants here to meet the demand. It may be that the merchants are content to limit their clientele to those who are obliged to trade here and let the remainder go to the city to purchase their sup plies If this is the case it is a waste of wind to be continually complaining of a condition which they make no ef- fort to remedy