New-York tribune., 1912-04-05
STUDYING FOOD PROBLEMS
New York's Methods Of Dis
tribution Called Archaic.

For the first time In this country an
extensive scientific study is being made of
food distribution In large and complies
marketing centre. The committee on MARI
ketlng OF the New York State Food ln'
vestigating Commission has just completsd
it's eighth week OF public hearings ana
these hearings show that sometimes az
much az half the price paid by the ulti'
mate consumer OF farm produce goes 70
pay the cost OF handling the food after u
comes within city limits. In many In
stances the distributors have got more than
half OF the consumers dollar
There are five subcommittee OF tho
State Commission, and these take UP the
study Of marketing and prices, production,
transportation, cooperation ana iaoeiihs'
weights and measures.
The evidence secured thus far by the
marketing investigators tends 70 prove
what many people have declared sireaoy,
that New York City has grown faster than
its methods OF food distribution have dsvsi-
oped: facilities are inadequate and com
pared with older and moro highly organ
lied cities OF Europe and even some Amer
ican cities, conditions here are archaic.
Farm produce passes through three, four
and sometimes FIVE hands after reaching
the city before II is finally consumed. Ter
minaIs are congested; the wholesale ois-
trict is crowded, and enormous waste ana
expense are incurred in the long hauls ne
cessita;ed by the present trucking metnods.
OWNS to the congestion in the city and
its Typographical peculiarities, the problem
OF devising a system that. will effect an
actual saving is a complex one.
Testimony given at the hearings before
this commission called attention 20 the
fact that some OF the railroads and steam
shin companies have made very niue
change in their methods OF handling food
products and the terminal capacity Cor tins
work in many years. In only few In
stances are the goods sold al the dock or
railroad terminals. Where tracks havs
been extended 10 storehouses a substantial
saving. averaging 500 car. has been et-
fected.
Interesting cold storage information was
brought 20 light in these hearings, one man
testIfving that last year his firm pur-
chased eggs at IS cents and held them untl
the price reached IS cents. This invesusa-
ton has brought to public attention the
fact that only one Of the public markets
is 10 any extent retail market and conse-
ouently of direct service 10 the consumer.
The public markets are run at consld-
erable loss TO the city. but the question
arises as 10 the extent OF service city mar
kets could render the general public II op-
Grated on a different basis.
A series Of district markets under city
sl,peryision has been suggested az a plan
IN relieve nresent conditions One OF the
most striking plans for improving trahspor-
tat,on facilities which has been proposed II
an elevated freight railway along tne
wa..r front OF the city. A centralized ana
extended terminal market with cold stor-
age facilities is being considered for Ths
pronx II has been suggested that an eX-
tension Of the auction system would hep
70 keen up open competition. The commit
"a. on marketing has not officially COM
yo,tted itself to any OF these Suggestions
a, tb.v wish TO complete their investsa'
,,or and make a thorough study ~ the
whole subject before making any dennits
recommendations.
SUNDAYS NETWORK TRIBUNE
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