& Co. is
brought in and breaks up the direct personal contact. The development of
complex marketing means specialization and in a large degree sets it
apart from production. When specialization becomes dominant, then
standardization becomes necessary. Each producer is unable to keep in
touch with all such movements and consequently finds it hard to keep
abreast of the times. In this age of rapid transit, specialization,
scientific discoveries, and the improvements resulting therefrom, seem
somewhat out of place when compared with our present marketing systems.
This does not mean that our marketing is entirely out of joint, but it
does mean that there is something the matter or so many would not be
discussing it. The consumer hears what the producer received, the
producer hears what the consumer paid, and then somebody gets to
thinking and talking. Discussions lead to investigations, and
investigations lead to conferences. Just lately a large conference was
held in Chicago, and certain plans were formulated to attempt to unravel
some of the evils that exist in marketing. So much has been said that
the U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun certain investigations, and
we hope that the workers will find ways to solve some of the troubles in
a logical and, we hope, sane way.

A year ago your committee on marketing reported that there were certain
things needed, and an ideal system was suggested to correct these
faults. One of the basic factors emphasized was standardization. Another
committee reported on changes needed in the statutes regarding the
weight of a bushel of apples. Congress has enacted a law which specifies
the size of a barrel for apples. New York, Massachusetts and other
states have enacted grading laws. Some states require that the fruit be
free of certain insect and disease injuries. Several states have laws
regulating commission men. Most states have laws which do not allow the
sale of food products that are decayed. These are all steps toward the
standardization that is so necessary. In other words, the several laws
have been passed to correct some of the troubles which have come up when
so many hands handle the products. These laws were not needed in olden
times when the consumer went directly to the producer's door and there
bargained for his wares.

Minnesota is a state noted for co-operative enterprises. There are over
two thousand such organizations doing more than $60,000,000.00 worth of
busines