Salt Lake Tribune | 1913-02-02 | Page 6 | Producers and Consumers

PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS. Tho address mado to the farmers in Logan on Friday by D. F. Smith, manager man-ager of tho Salt Lake Growers' Exchange, Ex-change, was one of noteworthy importance. im-portance. Mr. Smith na manager of that exchango in this city, has a first-rate first-rate worldng knowledge of tho matter of supply and prices. Ho knows that the farmers in Davie and Salt Lalco counties who raise produce for the consumption con-sumption of the peoplfc of Salt Lake City lose very greatly when thoy sell to the middlemen rnthor than to tho consumers con-sumers direct, and that on tho other hand tbo consumers lose in not buying direct from the farmors. This knowledge knowl-edge has come to him by reason of the fact that for a number of yoaro past thoro has been under his general supervision an opon market on Second West street, between South Temple and First South, whore tho farmors were enabled to sell from their wagons direct di-rect to the consumers. In that way tho farmors get better prices than tho retailers re-tailers hero would pay them, and tho consumorB buy for considerable less than they would have to pay to the retailers. re-tailers. It has been of great advantage advan-tage both to tho farmer and to the consumer. It has also tendod powerfully powerful-ly to regulate prices and restrain extortion. ex-tortion. Tho open farmers' market has been a sort of clearing-house wlieroDy the consumors could protect thcmsolves and at the same time benefit the farmers. farm-ers. It is Mr. Smith's idea to eliminate so far as possible tho middleman and 60 increase tho profits to the farmers by enabline them to pot bettor prices, while at the some time helping tho consumers by offering them good and fresh vegetables at prices le3s than they havo to pay at the stores. Mr. Smith urges that Salt Lake City "needs a public market more than it needs public parka." And as a practical prac-tical proposition ho is quite right. There is no question of tho groat advantage that would bo derived by tho consumers consum-ers in this city if thoy could meet tho producers direct, nnd got all their supplies sup-plies with the middlemen eliminated. And yet, we want the parks too. Another proposition of Mr. Smith's was that the delivery s3Ttom in Salt Lako Cit' is too expensive. Instead of compelling tho customorB all to go to tho farmers' market, he would have a central delivory system, that would deliver de-liver for all; and ho estimates that this would save from $10,000 to $15,000 per month. Mr. Smith urges that under the present pres-ent conditions it is the poorer classes who cannot afford to go to a farmers' market. There is a good deal in this, for, as he nays, the housekeepers havo their houso work to do and tho mothers cannot leave their homes and childron to go down to a mnrket. But if they would send their orders by telephono or otherwise nnd havo delivery madt at tho lowoet possible figure, the poorer of the community would receive the most immediate and a vast benefit. M-. bniith urges that tho farmers can do these things thomsolvcs which, he recommenda, If they are allowed a freo hand Wo bellovo that tho peoplo of this city are in favor of giving them a free hand in this matter, and allow-inc allow-inc them to help tho community to tho utmost possiblo extont, in tho directions Indicated by Mr. Smith. Wo commond his address to all concerned, including not only farmors nnd tho consumers of this city, but to tho officials who will have tho matter moro directly in charge