The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-09
DECREASE IN USE
OF CEREAL FOODS
IS CORRESPONDING
Dairy industry Has Been Least
Affected by Recent Bust
I ness Depression
HAS ADVERTISED WIDELY.
Modern Methods Of Preparing
Milk and Dairy Products
Insures Cleanliness
HAS ADVERTISED WIDELY
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN

BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN
Washington, D. c., Feb. ga
change in the taste Of the American
people winch, in the last 80 years
has caused them to turn from bread
to dairy products is largely response
BILE for the fact that the dairy indus
try has been least affected by the de-
preston and presents a sharp con-
traSt to other groups Of farmers seek
ing relief.
During this period Americans have
reduced their annual per capita con-
sumption Of grain products by the
equivalent of so loaves Of bread. Con-
currently, they have increased their
annual per capita consumption Of
dairy products by $50 pounds in terms
Of milk.
This would appear to indicate that
consumption is the key to farm pros
perity and eloquently recalls the or
ganized efforts which dairymen have
made to popularize their products.
The broad economic results which
have accrued, affecting the entire
structure Of agriculture, would ap-
pear to suggest that it pays to ad-
vertiSe.
Three billion dollars a year or one
fourth of the total annual income Of
the entire farm industry. including
the growers Of the grain staples, the
livestock producers, the fruit and
vegetable men, and all other branches
Of the agricultural industry Is realized
by the dairymen of the United States.
This Is, by way q, illustration, con-
siderably more than twice what is
realized annually by cotton planters.
While agriculture generally is
recognized to have suffered more
sharply than any other great divi-
sion Of American productive effort
from the depressed period, the dairy
industry not only stands out conspic-
uously from the farm class but makes
a far better showing than most other
industries. In fact 1T seems to have
resisted, better than almost any 9TH
er industry. the forces Of business re-
coil.
1t is automatic that a mar thinks
more of his health, once it Is threat
ened, than of any other possession
he has. Everyone is familiar with
~ Olt-Un0SAlO OoO Va ~ AStN
aged millionaire who is willing to
trade his millions back if, by doing
so. he may recover his vigor. And,
too, every normal American parent is
extremely solicitous for the health Of
glowing children, especially infants.
Good Publicity Pays
Recognizing these basic social facts,
the dairyInen of the United States
have widely publicized the generous
vitamin content of milk and its
health-givlng qualities. Moreover,
they have emphasized the measures
they have taken to insure the purity
Of their product.
It must not, however, be overlooked,
that the public itself pushed the
dairymen into their advantageous
position and swung open for them the
gateway 10 their present coign OF
business stability.
Before the days Of the modern
dairy, the people of the cities were
served by small, independent milk
men. These men were conspicuous
for their early rising and, it was
claimed, careless and dirty methods
Of handling their product. Only the
younger generation will have forgot
ten the milkman who came to the
door with his large metal IAN and
clipper. The milk was dipped out
from the can reservoir in the guam
tity the housewife bespoke. The can
went in and out of both clean and
Lpkempt kitchens indiscriminately
while the clipper came into contact
with home receptacles OF varying de-
grees Of cleanliness.
Physicians began to trace all man
ner OF illnesses to milk. Scientists
began finding innumerable germs
disporting themselves in the fluid.
Individuals and societies COM
menced Investigations. They found
the most appalling conditions in the
barns of the milkmen. The milkmen
in general had never heard Of sani-
tation. A cow was an animal and
naturally dirty and that was all
there was to 1t. Then, too, it was not
unheard Of for ambitious milkmen to
enlist the aid Of the barnyard pump
or the water tap In adding to their
yendable supplies.
Publicity resulted and public health
officials became interested. The re-
suit was M Of the most sweeping
reforms In public service which has
ever taken place In the history OF the
country. Inspection systems were
set up by city governments and dair-
les which did not maintain a high
degree OF sanitation on their premises
and IN their equipment were refused
permits to sell. Also, dealers were re-
CURED to submit their product to
public chemists for analysis for a
determination Of the purity and
proper milk content.
HISS Sweeping Effect
While the reform had an almost
immediate effect In raising the health
standard, 1t also had a sweeping bus
iness effect. The small milkman
found that It costs money to keep
clean. No longer could he water. hts
milk. The analysis would catch that.
Inevitably the smaller men began to