The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-14
Urges Marketing Plan
To Cut Cost of Living
District Expert, While Defending Present Rise as
Due to War, Says Secret of Reduction Lies
In Elimination of Waste in Distribution
OF Foodstnfs

The Importance Of the large amount Of
space used on account, of unnecessary
steps in distribution is seldom realized.
The use OF space for such purposes in
wolves the loss Of ground that could be
used for other productive uses, high
rents and buildings and improvements
subject to charges for insurance, taxes.
and depreciation. As an example Of what
could be done under q scientific system.
take the so-called soft fish Of the WASH
ington market. These will not stand the
old methods of preservation by salt
brine. or smoke. but must. under present
conditions. be utilized within few days
after their arrival at the wharf. COM
prehensive system for the complete utii-
ization Of the yearly supply would save
an enormous waste by taking UP all the
supply In the summer and preserving Il
by the most modern methods at q low
cost, and subsequently distributing Il
throughout the city. both in winter and
summer. at prices probably much lower
than those nov paid by the uptown pur-
chaser when the supply Is most plentiful.
What Is true Of FISH Is also true Of most
other food products, though many prod
ucts would require different methods Of
treatment Such q market system would
FIRST steps would not yield full return
until later steps had been taken. II must
be borne IN mind that during the time Of
development the normal prices would be
steadily advancing.
Amy such market system begun today
and developed as fast as possible toward
approximate completion in. say, six
years, would be doing wonders II It sue
ceeded in reducing intermediate costs OF
disfFihmfiOn a a fast ha a. Ia
The present agitation will do immeasur-
able good II II bring to the mind Of Con-
gress and the public a. we'll = fresh real
iZstion Of the Importance Of this prob
lem.
Forces Ready for Campaign.
The District department Of weights.
measures and markets stands ready TO
make of itself and the city Of Washing
ton. the experimental ground for the
study OF these problems and the de-
velopment OF scientific methods Of food
distribution as fast a.. and as long as.
Congress will appropriate the money I'M
der proper conditions.
In this we have the promise of the
full cooperation. guidance, and assist
ance. Of the office OF markets and the
bureau of chemistry Of the Department
Of Agriculture, and the bureau Of
standards Of the Department OF Com
merce Thus. II Congress will but pro-
vide the means, there - opportunity to
perform a constructive work for the
benefit OF the entire nation.
Washington Is the logical place for
this work 20 be first undertaken. ss II
can here be carried out under the su-
pervision Of Congress. and under the
direct guidance OF the best authorities
on this subject that the Federal depart
ments have available.
The same problem has been staring
every manufacturer in the face for years
Many have been solving the problem
by taking over and organizing for their
own benefit the means Of distribution
Of their own products. and in some cases
their raw materials The problem here.
then. Is by no means new. II Is merely
a matter OF applying to the municipality.
for the benefit of consumers and pro-
ducers alike. the methods that have
worked well in large business concerns,
and this can be done without injustice
to a scientifically organized body Of
middlemen.