The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-04-04
BOARD OF TRADE MEETING.
Continued from 1st Page

three months before the Canadian
elections, that in his opinion Canada
would reject the Reciprocity agree
ment with the United States He
spoke of finding Maine men in re-
sponsible positions in the lumber
and pulp industries, not only in other
states but in Canada.
The forests and the water-power
which they nurture and protect are
the chief factors in the prosperity of
Maine. and consequently,the speaker
urged that the state should take every
possible step towards a true Conser-
walton of these great natural re-
sources.
Mr. Marston said his investigation
showed plainly that the common no.
ton was wrong that wages and the
cost of living were lower in the
country towns of Maine than in Mas
sachusetts.
Figures show that wages are CON
siderably higher in Skowhegan than
In Lawrence in the textile industry
and that the average cost Of living
is also higher, but the latter CON
dition is accounted for by the fact
that wage earners live better, have
more meat and Injuries and live in
better houses than in the city. Mr..
Marston said, however that this high
er cost of labor was Offset by the
greater efficiency of the workman due
to better living and superior sur
roundings. The wage Garner in
Skowhegan takes a prominent and
active part in town affairs, and iden-
titles himself with the progress
and welfare, in a way that is abso-
lutely impossible in large cities
where he is crowded into tenements
and is regarded merely as a cog in
the industrial machine of his employ
er. Mr.. Marston said that man for
man the wage Garner in Skowhegan
was vastly superior to those he
found in the cities. in personal eff
cheney. in intelligence. education,
morals, and as a citizen.
In commenting upon the work of
the local board during the past
year, the retiring president said that
most of the work done was of such
a nature that 1t would not show up.
He said that he had entered into cor
respondence with over 40 different
concerns with the view OF bringing
their industry here. but that in every
instance concerns wanted concessions
and assistance such as Skowhegan
could not give. Most of them wanted
a factory building free of rent, cheap
power, a rebate of taxes for 10 years
and varying amounts of capital fur
nished by Skowhegan business men.
One concern in particular was cited
that wanted a factory building for
the manufacture of electrical novel
ties large enough to accommodate $50
hands, 200 horse power at $1,000 q
year per horse power, and a stock
subscription of $4,000 in Skowhegan.
Such concerns, he thought, were of
little benefit to a town, The gre
number of vacant factory buildings
throughout New England rendered 1t
hard for Skowhegan to secure new
industries.
Mr. Marston repeated that her wa
ter-power was Skowhegan greatest
attraction to new industries. and ex-
planned that a larger Development
could not be made until some large
demand for power could be created.
Capital was unwilling to invest the
large sum necessary for the complete
hydro-electrical development until 1t
could be assured of an income suffi-
cient to meet operative expenses and
interest on the investment, but the
speaker was optimistic that such a
demand would surely come within
the next ten years if business pros
perlIy continued.
He said that one of the most con-
spicuous and valuable accomplish
ments of the Board this past year
was the retention of the Marston
Worsted Mill and the Maine Spinning
Mill by the reorganization of the
former on a sound business basis.
The retention of those two splen-
did established industries, giving
employment to some OF our finest
citizens, hung absolutely on the
raising of $4,000 by the citizens of
the town. The committee of the
Board of Trade raised practically the
full amount in two hours among the
business men, and took an active part
in the reorganization arrangements
In closing Mr. Marston urged the
members to greater interest and to
attend the meetings in larger num-
bers during the administration of the
new president.
President Merrill told the meeting
that the only way the Board could
be real success was for it's members
to take an active interest in the
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