Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-03
Attractions Of Names
Abandoned Farms.
Commissioner Lyons Report
VIII Take Up This Subject.
Governor and Staff Go 10 Water.
Vile This Morning.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council
Friday, Sept. rs, at 10 A. M.

One of the main features of the
forthcoming report of Hon. Thomas j.
LYONS, commissioner of labor and in
dustrial statistics, will be the results
of an investigation which has been
conducted by the bureau with view
to ascertaining the number of aban-
doned farms in the State, and also for
the purpose of adopting some means
whereby people from other states may
be induced to come into Maine and
take up those farms, not only for
farming purposes, but for summer
homes This advertising of farming
properties has been extensively car
red on in the other New England
states, with beneficial results. and it
is the belief of Commissioner Lyons
that it can also be done in Maine.
It will be remembered that early in
the current year Commissioner Lyons
sent out to representative citizens of
the various Maine towns circular
relative to farming conditions in
their respective towns as well as in
dustrial conditions in general the cir
cular being sent out in response to
many inquiries which had been re-
ceived at the bureau from people re-
siding in other places who wrote for
the purpose of finding a place in
which they could purchase a farm or
secure temporary or permanent en-
poyment. with view of establishing
a home for themselves and families
and becoming residents and citizens of
the state.
In order to put the bureau in pos
session of tie facts rs to the needs and
opportunities of the several towns the
above circular was sent out, there be
ing embodied in it series of 80 ques
tiors relative to the number of farms
for sale in the several towns, the num-
her of acres. the distance from the
railroad or the center of the village,
the estimated number of farm labor
ers who could find continuous or tenn
porary employment in the town.
wages, demand for additional female
help on the farms or at other occupa
tons, wages. also wages paid in the
different mechanical trades. the ques-
ton of rents, the rate of taxation for
1901 etc. From the replies received in
this way a great deal of valuable in
formation has been secured in the
way of statistics, which will be includ-
ed in the report.
Commissioner Lyons is thoroughly in
sympathy in the movement Of ad-
vertisng the state of Maine with a
view of getting people to come here
and take up the farms which have
been abandoned. There is not "A rural
town in the state. he said that has
not it's quota of abandoned farms, and
there is no reason why these farms
rhn r.. cali ,t,t t,,
good use, so that they should be d
source of profit to the owner and to
the town.
That the work has been done in
Maine Is shown by the town of Isles
borough In 1890 the valuation of the
estates in the town. all resident, was
s2se721 while the valuation in 1907
was $751;, S19 in resident estates and
1921 491 in nonresident estates. the
latter figures showing the results of
inducing people from other places to
come there and build their summer
homes. The town now maintains its
public schools for 80 weeks in the
wear, has built u fine public library
and is in condition OF prosperity
that it could not have otherwise real
lied And the same is true of other
places. not only among the coast re-
sorts. but inland as well. 1t IS the
desire of the bureau to advance the
interests of Maine by advertising her
attractions in such a way that those
who are looking for farm or place
In which to build summer home may
be induced to come here and do so.
In connection with the coming meet
Ing IT the Governor and Council
which will be held in the Council
chamber on Friday. Sept. 25. there are
several executive appointments which
will he made to fill vacancies which
will exist by reason of the expiration
OF the term of Office of the several en-
cumbents among them being the APP
pontmcnt of u trustee of the Maine
School for the Deaf. to fill the vacancy
due to the expiration of the term OF
Office of Henry NJ. Sargent of Sedg-
wick. which will occur Oct. II; an
other appointment will be that OF
member of the Board of Examination
IN the Practice of Dentistry, as the
term of one of the members of the
bosrd, Dr. f. j. Roberts of Augusta
will expire Oct ~ 1t is understood
that both gentlemen will be candi-
dates for reappointment. The noml-
nation list will also without doubt IN
clnde the usual number of minor APP
pontments
Today will be Governors day at the
central Maine state Fair at Water
Vile. and Governor Cobb and members
OF his staff will be in attendance. GOV
ernor Cobb arrived in the city
Wednesday evening and was a guest
at the Augusta House. and will leave
ior Waterville on train No. l at 9.oe
THIS morning He will be accom-
panied from Augusta by Adjutant
General Farnham, Brig. Gen. Charles
T. Davis and Col. William B. Shelton
OF Lewiston. and will be met AT
Watervlle by other members of the
STAFF.
The Board of Railroad Commission
efs began on Tuesday the annual in
stection of the Bangor & Aroostool
railroad system. and will probably
hnish the tour today. The entire sys'
TEN covers distance of 4S5.53 miles,