The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-08-10

| 4HCAC nd6 OCCfl a UCHAAltC ~iAOAJ OD
part of the postoffice department to at
tract public attention to the opportun
tiles offered by the parcel post system
for direct trading between producer
and consumers. Apparently the con
sumer has been unwilling to anticipate
requirements sufficiently in advance al
to assure the producer continuous
market, nor has the producer showed {
general willingness TO assume the re-
sponsibiltiies for quality of product
and assurance of service to command
the consumers confidence.
with the better organization and
Standardization of farm production, the
organization of farmers cooperative
associations, the evolution of grades
more accurately rejecting the qualities
of farm products in relation to use, the
establishment of concentration ware
houses at points within the areas of
production issuing receipts or certif-
Gates which clearly Indicate such
grades and guarantee the physical pro-
lection and quality of product, it
should be possible to develop a system
of commodity exchanges through which
these commodities may be sold and
under which such products will move
directly from areas of production to
points of use under prior sale without
the necessity of previous inspection
and with the assurance of delivery Of a
product by grade conforming to the
users or consumers requirements.
"There are certain risks which
neither the producer nor the consumer
is willing to accept, which are now as
sumed by wholesalers, jobbers and re-
tailers and which are reflected in the
price paid by the consumer. In the
primary and terminal markets, com.
mission men, wholesalers and buyers
maintain warehouses, refrigerators and
facilities for the protection and conser-
walton of commodities. The transpor-
tation agencies provide facilities for
protection of commodities in transit.
All of these activities involve invest
ment and operating expense and re-
luire the employment of men and
equipment.
''In the larger centers railroad ter
ninals are scattered to an extent that
makes it necessary for shippers and re-
'eivers to transport perishable COM
through the city streets with
much congestion, delay and expense.
ausing an actual deterioration of per-
shable products and numerous duplica- |
ions of handling. All these things
i'd materially to costs without adding |
ither value or service to the commod- |
ty.
Markets for perishables are almost
Invariably congested and poorly stu
ted with reference to convenience and |
economy. 1t is the belief of the COM
mission that the lack of properly es-
ablished joint terminal markets is re-
ponsible for extravagant costs in the
istribution of agricultural products
nd that steps should be taken by mu-
transportation companies
nd marketing agencies to create facil-
les for efficient handling and preser-
alton of foodstuffs.
"The report will suggest that
trough cooperative associations new
conomines can be effected through
reater uniformity of production in a
areas of production, uni
,rm grades and standardized contain
IS. Similarly, better methods can
} established for handling by agencies
local, primary and terminal mar
sts, tending to create greater GER
inty on the part of the receiver and
the producer as to the character and
nditon of products, and services in
lived in their distribution.
in this way the many disagree
ents which develop between pro-
lcers, shippers and receivers, which :
e now the cause of lack of mutual ,
nfidence. can be eliminated, with the
nsequent development of more eff
ent and economic marketing and dis
bution.
Economies can be effected and
astes can be eliminated through the
tablishment of qualified and author
ID agencies to arbitrate disagree
ents between shippers and receivers
to value, condition, kind, grade and
antity of commodities. Such agen-
IS may be established either through
reement between shippers and re-
vers to set up disinterested boards
arbitration whose findings can be
.epted as final, or through the estab-
hment of state or federal agencies
authorized by legislation.
Adequate, organized and correlated
minal markets, together with re-
;tion of unnecessary movement of
from terminal to terminal
from terminal to central market
'uld materially reduce the expense
olved in unnecessary equipment and
employment of an Unnecessarily
ge number of men.
Much can be accomplished in the -
ection of economic distribution by a :
re systematic utilization of ware
Ises to absorb temporary surplus
distribute more evenly in response
consuming demand. There is a oh
dency toward better distribution as ;1,
fehouses come to function as reser- no
rs to facilitate economic distribution ne pu
adopt methods which diminish op- Tt
tunity for speculation in stored ir
lmodities. Co
There is approximately $50, 000,- or
900 invested in transportation in WI
country, including steam railway, sb
,tric railways, highways. automo ~
8, motor trucks, waterways and
)ping. These agencies of trans q
tation, which should function as :
system in the aid of COM
ce, have come into existence with
relationship to transportation fa-
les already existing. There is no
ncy through which the basis of fact !.
principle necessary for the coordi '
on Of these transportation facilities +,
5 to give the most efficient service
The lowest cost, can be secured. L
re is no place today where the bus r
s of transportation can be learned
spt in the apprenticeship of the :
ness itself. An institution such as
commission suggests would furnish vi
leans Of definitely establishing the "
$ and principles of transportation
! which sound decisions respecting
sportation policies can be predi- 0l
d; the relationship Of the different Ql
lcies Of transportation to each