Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-11
DO-|T-YOURSE[F
NEW SCHEME To.
CUT LIVING COST
Relation of Expenses and Desire
for Convenience Being
Worked Out by Town.

The latest scheme for solving the
high cost of living is the appoint
ment Of commission by the Cover
nor of New York to study methods
for bringing about more direct trad
Ing relation between producer and
consumer.
There should not be, on the part of
any far sighted grocer any opposi-
ton to this plan. Even II feasible the
grocer Is sufficiently we'll grounded
as necessity to hold his own in the
ultimate solution and by readtust-
ment find place for himself in the
scheme of things Therefore he need
not go on the defensive, as Is his
usual habit, under the apprehension
that he Is to be abolished In all
probability many cycles OF reform
will come and go before the grocer
will be eliminated, although his
function may necessarily be altered,
as 1t has been again and again in the
years that are past.
The Moving Function.
It will be well for the grocer and
the reformer to bear In mind in their
studies the varied functions which
are essential on the part Of some
one in the process of moving prod
ucts from the producers door to the
consumers table. 1t is more doubt
full If these functions can be elimi-
mated. Ii they can, they should be;
II they can not, then the most eco
nomical methods for performing
them should be established. And in
determining economy no one should
forget that mere pennies and dimes
are not the sole measure of true
economy. Money exchanged for SER
vice on fair basis Is not a waste,
but merely an exchange. Reform
should consider present service-eco-
Monies as fairly as hope-for pennies
saved
The Business Mems Association in
distant town launched a Cash
| and Carry Home League" designed
| TO encourage people in personally
! carrying home their food purchases
| from the store, paying cash and de-
mandlng q reduction in price In re-
turn for the relief given the grocer.
| Service Cost High.
Undoubtedly much of the grocer's
! cost OF doing business is made up of
service costs, demanded by the pub
| lie convenience and necessity" If
| there are too many grocers being
! supported no one is to blame for II
more than the consumer, who appre-
| ciates the nearness Of the surplus
| SUITES IlOTe imam Jne economy which
would come from walking half a mile
or so farther. If telephones are con-
venient to the consumer and one ex-
| poets the grocer to send up purchases
! whenever one orders them. one must
pay for the privilege. And If the
members of the Cash and Carry
| Home League" are willing to elimi-
nate telephones and delivery and
! credit there isn't the slightest reason
| why they should not be allowed the
equivalent. It's a safe gamble, how
ever. that when they get the discount
| Inquired down to their exact share on
their purchases they'd prefer to 'Tet
| the grocer do it." for he probably can
| do it for all his customers for far
less loss than the individuals can.
| It's one of those cases where CO.
operation works the economies: 1t
! costs little more to deliver for 100
customers than for ten, go long as de-
| livery wagons and clerks I'D phones
and lots of other things of public
accommodation must be maintained
| anyhow.