The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-08-16
DOWL|NG ON MARKETS.

! President of State Board of Health
Discusses Economic and Sani-
tary Phases of Important Prob
lem Now Under Consideration in
This Community.
Following is the substance of the
interesting address delivered by DR..
Oscar Bowling, president of the State
| Board of Health, at the meeting held
/ in the local courthouse last Monday
night to discuss the market problem:
"The market problem, which you
have met to discuss, is being in
vestigated in every section of the
| United States. Almost every city in
the union is wrestling with one or
| more of it's phases. Writers on eco
nomic subjects have already gathered
data, yet there are few points on
| which they agree.
..In a recent issue of the Annals,
the highest authority in this coun-
try on these subjects, a member of
the New York market commission
| makes an interesting statement It
is that the establishment of a modern
municipal market system will reduce
the high cost of living more than
any other improvement in civic af-
fairs. The reasons are convincing;
they relate to cheaper transportation,
distribution, inspection, storage, the
middleman and the daily publicity Of
| market prices.
In the small community marketing
is still the simple operation of early
days, but every point mentioned
above is a part Of the problem.
To summarize, the producer should
be assured of fair profit; the con
sumer, that he is getting a good,
safe product, and at. the mar
ket price.
'sThe producers first need is quick
transportation. This involves in
Louisiana improved roads, which one
reform would settle for US many
things in connection with food sup
ply and would undoubtedly lower the
price Of food stuffs.
The convenience of both producer
and consumer is an important factor.
To adjust the interests of the two,
a third party is necessary. This
must be the community itself. CO.
operation on the part of all. only,
will bring about adequate facilities
for rapid transportation. Where good
roads have been built, farmers have
found it economical to unite in the
installation of trolley lines or auto
mobile service. It is apparent that
any means which caves tim onay
or labor IS a benefit fo all concerned.
Provision for quick sale is the
obligation of the city. Many stu
dents of this question concur in the
belief that a series 6f markets scat
tered through the residence district
is the ideal plan. These markets to
be built, equipped and supervised
by the city authorities.
For the consumer this is the
best. Such a plan will induce the
habit of going to market, at pres
ent one of the housewives sins Of
omission. In too many homes, the
purchasing is left to ignorant help,
or done over the phone. Where
there is no help, the distance to a
central market makes it impossible
for member of the family to go
for the daily supply. One of the
causes of inefficiency is food, poor
in quality because of the ignorance
of certain classes and the indiffer-
ence of others in the selection and
preparation Of the food
Zone disadvantage to the consumer
Is the possibility of being given in
ferior goods at a higher price than
the market quotation In a central
market it is easier to publish daily
quotations and to catch the unscru-
pulous vendor. An incident will IL
lustrate. On August Z in New Or
leans, pure lard was quoted at 13A
cents; the same day it was sold
three-quarters of a pound for one
pound, at 10 cents. By one dealer,
for two hours it was advertised and
sold II ounces (for pound) at 10
cents. One of the ways Of catch
ing the public. In a we'll regulated
market such practices would be de-
tected
"The public market, under munich
pal control, gives to the producer
some advantages His products are in
spected at the place where he sells;
by cooperation he can economic in
help and other incidenta1s, and he
can assist in running down the
crooked dealer. Best of all, In
the smaller cities this system elm,
mates the middle-man, an advan-
tage to both parties.
"The question of private markets
arises also. II permitted, they
should be made to conform to the
regulations which govern those con-
trolled by the city. Their equip
ment should be adequate, though not
necessarily expensive, and no in
sanitary practices should be per-
mitted
s"This brief statement will suffice
to suggest the important economic
phase which is connected with the
situation and management of mar
kets They are the problems of
the municipal officer. Boards of
health, state and local, have under
their Jurisdiction only such features
as relate to the quality and handling
of market products.
1T goes without saying that food
should be good in quality and clean.
Diseased meat and spoiled fruits
are not fit for human consumption.
Four-fifths of the condemned food
every year in this country consists
of vegetables and fruit. Much
malnutrition results from food stuffs
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