Greenbelt cooperator., 1940-04-25
MILK CLUB MAKES HISTORY
SAYS MONTGOMERY

lr. Donald E. Montgomery, Consumers Counsel, A.A.
Az, Department of Agriculture, speaking at public
meeting sponsored by the Study Group the
College Park Branch of the American Association Of
University Nomen praised the efforts of this group
and the Greenbelt community in forming the MIX Buy
Ing Club He stated that 1t the first c1ear cut
In the United Stetes where consumers have
sanized for the purpose collective bargaining
have been successful. He wished that it would be
pub1i shed widely 1t could be copied by other
consumer groups.
Rr. Montgomery said that bust ness is looking at
the consumer movement respectfully for the first
time but yet in proper prospective. He quo ted
the reaction Of trade Tagezines to the second Ma
tional Consumers Education Conference held at Ste
phens College, Columbia, Missouri, April l, 2 and
of this year, These articles point that the con-
smer movement is a vitel force, but that comon
ground for business and the consumer has not been
found. Lack of definite program the consuner's
part may be contributing factor in this situation.
One magazine held the opinion that the interests of
business and tie consumer we're tdenti cal. This is
not true, according to Lr. Montgomery.
He also answered arguments Of business against
grade labels, saying In answer to business charge
that 1t is impossible establi sh relative grades
that grades have already been set for many comrod-
titles, and work is being done to increase the
Der. Although the Gamers Associ elton coyly tells
that customers demand great variety of can
sizes, it is hard to believe, for example, that
need y different containers for tomato juice las
found in Washington store in day.) The
nanufa cturers say that labelling wi undermine
in brand names. Mr. Montgomery maintains that brand
names should signify guarantee of definite stan
dards which at present they do not. Business claims
that grade labels would spoil the sale of or
medium grade goods. NJ. Montgomery points out that
q large number of customers in the grade pur-
chasing class and that grade labelling protects
sumers from paying more than grade prices this
grade goods.
Some businesses have set up attractive programs
for consumers, hoping to gain the consumers conf
dence through "Honens Advisory BoardsH. Mr.. Kont-
gmery called these boards "love feasts" rcatch
TEN and kid TEN" programs. One firm claims, in a
trade Journal 1.-THE board makes good institutional
copy. Mr.. Montgomery said that this type Of make
believe consumer organization is the way out and
some firms really trying to get together with
consumers. He stressed the advantages of free
terprise for consumers we'll for business,
do not have real freedom of choice
they are Informed.
Dr.. Faith Williams reported the round table
discussion of standard specific ons for
products which she conducted at the Consumers Con-
ference at Stephens College. In these talks it
brought out that one-ha1f of the families In
this country have average income Of Sll7o
and that spending this money that the maximum
benefit is derived is real problem. One way Of
helping these people is through adult edu
cation. Her findings indi cate that consumers
grade label combined with easily understood
planation of specifications. AS member of the
ConsunerReta Hers Council, she told of the coopera
tive efforts of this to get standard terms and
tests products.