Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-16

liltildS tItlbuSIlOul lfle state, ana the
Maine State Board of Trade at it's ses-
sion today Will doubtless give express
sion to fitting recognition of the val
ued services of so faithful an official.
And again during the year that is
gone the State Board has met with a
signal loss in the passing away of
William A. Wheeler of Portland DR.
Wheeler was for several years presi-
dent of the Portland Board and his
genial presence and welcome address
es have aided greatly the success of
State Board sessions in recent years
As associate with DIR. Wheeler and
Hon. Edward p Kicker on the Board
of Commissioners from Maine to Pan
American Exposition in Buffalo in
1901, 1 learned to know and admire DIR.
Wheeler for his many sterling quail
ties of head. heart and hand, and
when on December last / conversed
with him on Congress street in Port
land | little thought that he would
so soon be called from u.s. In his I'M
timely departure Maine hass lost a
most jealous and devoted citizen
In the world of business trade con-
ditions are fair and the new year
opens with reasonably good prospects
In some sections OF New England
there have been labor troubles but the
atmosphere promises to be clarified
by an increase of wages among the
textile mills 1t is to be expected that
business will be interfered with some
during 1912 by political discussions but
the general prospects are quite bright.
Names industries are generally pros
porous and a marked expansion is no.
ted in some lines
There promises to be a large volume
of building among the cities and
towns OF Maine and notably so in
Bangor, where, during the 10 months
that have elapsed since the conflagra-
ton of April Goth which caused
property loss of over $500, 900, the
new construction completed or in pro-
gress with projects planned for or
starting as soon as seasonable wealth
er conditions Will admit. include 40
mercantile or business blocks and
buildings, 10 manufacturing and in
dustriaI establishments. seven church.
es, High school, Public library and va
rious other buildings of a public char
acter, and about one hundred resi-
dences and apartment dwellings,, be-
sides important pubic works of mis-
cellaneous description, representing at
Il rough but conservative estimate
total expenditure of $500 900.
Agriculturally Maine is prosperous
and the phenomenally high prices Sc
cured for the admirable crop of po-
tatoes not only in Aroostook county
but throughout the State has put in
circulation a large volume of money.
In numbering the winter has been ex-
ceptionally favorable and while the
cut of forest products is less than in
previous winters the log harvest has
been secured under good conditions
Names resort interests both inland
and seashore are continually expand
ing and the outlook for 1912 along
these lines is exceptionally bright.
In Board of Trade circles the winter
just passing away has been one of un-
usual activity. From York to Aroos-
took and from the shores of Passama-
quoddy to the hills of oxford there has
been greater activity than has ever
before been known. Several new and
important boards have been organized
and greatly increased interest has BEEN
manifested on the part of organizations
long established. Most of these or
carnations are now in utilization with
the State Board of Trade and those
still out of the fold we hope will soon
come with us. The boards of trade
and business organizations are doing
grand work in the uplift of Maine
and the future of our commonwealth
never looked brighter than today.
Ninety-tWo years ago this day Maine
became a state and it is only eight
years away to the time of our centen-
NAL. The Maine 1920 Committee has
held various sessions since the launch
ing of the movement and none 50 i'm
portant as that which has been in
progress in the capital city during the
day Immediately preceding the State
Board session. The boards of trade
generally throughout the State have
appointed local 1910 committees and
these are all working in conjunction
with the general committee, the general
objects being to increase Maine agri-
culture; to create interest in civic and
social improvements to conserve and
develop our water power and wild
lands: to promote greater interest in
the religious, historical and educational
life of our State; to attract new and
promote existing Industries; to in
crease our reputation as a summer
resort State; to improve our trans
portation facilities: so that in our cen
tennial year. 1920. we may proudly
look back on the most prosperous de-
cade Maine has ever known.
The Portland Board of Trade held
during December. the Maine Corn and
Fruit Show and under the direction !
of Portland's enterprisins merchant,
]. Henry Rines, and President Flagg
of the Portland Board, this proved
great success, far surprising the ex-
pectations of the most sanguine. The
Portland Board is now making plans
for a still larger exposition to be held
in that city during the coming fall.
A striking illustration of what can
be accomplished by cooperation is evil
denced in Bangor where through the
efforts of patriotic citizens 81, 600 has
been successfully raised for the ac
quirement of the site of historic Norum-
bega hall. The city has recently &c
CURED from the federal government
the site of the old post office and Gus