Putnam patriot., 1915-07-30
MILK AND CREAM
Boston Chamber of Commerce Com mitlee Report Their Finding After YearS's Milk Suryey in New
 England
First Meeting Was Held h Putnam Last August. Radical Changes Recommended

has just completed a milk survey of New England, have submitted a re- port. Meetings were held in every state in New England, the first being held in Putnam August 26th, 1914, so that the matter embodied in the report represents practically years work by delegated members of the committee, and embodies an exhaustive survey, based on first hand investigation of every phase oi the industry in relation to the industry as whole. At the l6 hearings, held in every New England state, 2500 farmers, representing be- tween 70 and so per cent. of the milk producing towns appeared and gave testimony The survey was under taken by the chamber at the request of the New England Miik Producers Association an organization of about 1000 farmers.
 These six specific recommendations are made.
 First, The establishment of stand ardized system of milk grading and labeling for all New England.
 Second, The establishment of country milk stations by producers in co-opera- ton with local business men and rail- roads, where milk may be graded and proeessed and the surplus utilized in the manufacture of butter and cheese.
 Third, Book keeping by farmers for keeping accurate records ot produe- tion costs and economizing farm ope. rations. A cooperative arrangement is suggested.
 Fourth, Reform of present methods of railroad transportation, aboiishing the leased car system and establishing Il uniform per-can rate.
 Fifth, Improvement of city distribu- ton. Adoption of the ticket system, cost accounting methods, and the study of common problems by dealers in cooperative organization.
 Sixth, Advertisement of the food value of milk and bilk produts, thus adding 10 the other improvements in marketing the important factor oi publicity.
 should these recommendations bt carried out, says the report, "there is reason to hope fof a substantial in crease in prosperity among New Eng land farmers and dealers, and for se curing to our large consuming popula tion a good, clean, fresh product o milk, cream and butter at reasonable prices"
 Probably so per cent. of the farmer' have no accurate idea of what thei cows are producing each year 1T pounds of milk. There were large va riations in the estimates given at the hearings on the cost of keeping a COW the cost of labor, and the amount need ed to board hird man. Owing to the leased car system, il is practically i'm possible for producers to secure compe titiye bids for their products.
 These four fundamental faults cal be corrected, the committee belle through the co operation of all partie interested. Milk can be standardized farm economies can be realized ant wasteful and expensive distribution can be supplsnted by efficient me thods. A II of these reforms depend or cooperation, the sincere working to gether of all parties interested; and 1 is on the basis of such cooperation 1 that the cham Der makes it's recommen dations for the bettermenL of the in 1 dustry.
 The committee recommends the abo htion of the leased car system. Re ] presentatives Of the New Haven, Bos ton X Maine, Boston & Albany, Main 1 Central, Central Vermont, Rutland 1 Delaware x Hudson and Canadian 1 Pacific could meet and arrange uni form rate for milk and cream per can based on zone or flat rate per mile 1 the railroads performing the loading unloading and icing. The rate fo milk should be lower than that 10 cream. All deductions on account 0 /! freight train service should be abolish ed. The rate for carload when shipper loads at not more than tw stations in a given section, and doe his own icing and unloading, shoull be at percentage less than the per ! can rate The rates should be uniform throughout New Englaud. This vii enable groups of farmers 10 ship to th
 market at an equal advantage with tn dealers, or to secure competitive bid from the dealers
 The committee points out that Il some instsnces competition anon
 dealers in Boston is 50 strong as [ suggest animosity nWhile theE
 should be keen eempetiteon, there
 no reason why the dealers should no
 have an organization and meet regular
 ly to discuss subjects of mutual intel
 est, viz; return Of lost bottles, losses 1
 bad bills, use of ticket system, grade
 standards, etc. These items are of V
 tai intere to all, and 50 long as price
 are not discussed the danger Of bein accused of combining would be yer
 remote, and there would be little lik'
 lihood of disagreement among th
 members of the organization.
 1. A better advertising of milk, th