Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-22
Food Costs and Distribution.

EOOU OOSIS dILh DLSII LOHI'OIt'
Among the thousand and one remedies proposed
for the high cost of living is suggestion that the
parcel post be developed as a of bringing
the producer and consumer into more direct rela-
tions Advocates of the plan point to three ways
by which they think this could be accomplished;
reduction of the post rate on food commodities an
enlargement of the service between cities and
those rural communities which make speciality
of producing table supplies; and an advancement
of the weight limit from fifty to hundred
pounds.
To Just what extent these changes would have
the desired effect is open TO question. The Post
Office already has made diligent efforts to bring
producers and consumers into closer relations, but
the results have been far short Of what was ex-
pected In some districts and in some kinds OF
products, to be sure, thriving parcel post bust
ness between farm and pantry has been built up.
But such cases have not been numerous enough to
have any considerable effect on food prices in
States sections much less in the country at large
The difficulty seems to be at the producers end
of the line. City consumers would welcome eager
ly a chance to buy poultry and dairy products and
prices But too many farmers, one Investigator
has expressed it, fail to understand that they must
pare prices closely and must pack their products
with some of skill in order to get and hold
city consumers.
In the course of time, no doubt, these and SIM
liar difficulties will be overcome by educational
efforts. The express companies have taken great
pains in a number of instances to show the farm
ers in their territory how best to prepare products
for shipping and also have put farmers in commun-
cation with prospective customers. Enterprise of
this kind is broadly constructive The Postofice
in like manner has tried the plan of directing at
tenon in the larger cities to lists of farmers having
foodstuffs to SELL The success of such efforts de-
ponds largely, however, on proper response from
the rural district. 1t is not enough that the city
consumer shall be ready TO buy and that cheap and
speedy transportation shall be at hand. The farmer
must be prepared to give good service and good
values.
There can be no question, however, that of
the important in the high cost of living is
unsound and inadequate methods of distribution.
If the unnecessary waste and expense now incident
to handling foOdstuffs between the time they leave
the farm and the time they reach the market bas-
ket could be eliminated even reduced by half, the
producer would get much more, the consumer
would pay much less and there still would be a
fair margin of profit for the merchant who a
real need. 1t is not infrequently the case that
the cost of marketing a commodity is considerably
greater than that of producing it, and that the
greater part of the price the consumer pays goes
for maintaining intermediate channels which could
be dispensed with.
This is a problem to which the federal Depart
ment of Agriculture is giving careful study and
which ought to be taken up diligent inquiry in
each State. The establishment of a State market
enabling farmers to sell staple food crops larger
quantities and with greater certainty. Such in
stitution probably would be of equal value to the
rank and file of consumers.