Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-12-18
FARMERS UNION.
RESULTS OF FIRST YEAR OF
&c. OPERATION.
srpucEp COST OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
PRICE FOR PorAroEs--MANAGER
EMBREE's SUMMARY.

nartment OF agriculture brought e. II.
Embree, now general manager OF the
Farmers Union OF Maine, TO this State to
talk IN the matter OF cooperative market
inc and united action for the general bet
termeut of conditions. 1t was believed
that the large organizations OF the West
and especially OF the South were becoming
bir factors in bringing prosperity to the
sections wnere they were located, and il
the farmers of the West and South could
successfully organize and conduct co-op-
erative associations along business lines
there seemed no reason why the farmers
Of Maine could not be equally successful.
The Farmers union OF Maine has taken
its place in the State as strictly business
concern, aud has not resorted to pulling
down methods, nor has il in any way by
word or action, damaged or tried to
damage the men in the produce business.
IL Il true that the mare fact OF the pres
ence OF tho Farmers union has APP
parentIy brought about changes of great
value 20 the farming interests in the way
OF raising the price OF the product of the
farms aud lowering the price OF supplies.
This atement may be contradicted, but
il appelrs to be the fac, that the prevail
ing prices this season have been nearer
market prices than ever before.
In order for the Farmers union TO be OF
the most benefit to the farmers at large it
will require strict loyalty 20 the union ON
their part, as has often BEN pointed out.
While the management can direct the
way. the future Is In the HAMS Of the
farmers, and should the future show
that such an organization cannot be sue
cesstuiiy conducted, it would be re-
Fiction upon the business ability Of the
Maine farmer.
That the Farmers union of Maine has
been a factor in present conditions in
Maine potato growing sections is best set
forth in the statement from General Mana
ger Embree upon conditions in the
country at large ana in this State.
MR.. EMHRER's REVIEW.
From several sources In the State OF
Maine there has come to the newspapers
comment relative to what is termed the
high price OF potatoes. 1t would appear
to these writers that in consideration OF
tho fact that the country has produced
over 40o,000,U00 bushels OF this product
prices would rule low. These writer's look
the influence controlling.
Marketing and the markets are con-
troiled by conditions, and these conditions
are beyond the control of even the expert
with long years OF experience. No man
can predict what the future will be in the
price of the products OF the farm with any
more accuracy than he could predict what
the weather will be.
"However, the past is behind us and the
present Is with US, and IL we have been
observani we have analysed the situation.
II is true that the price OF potatoes con-
sidering the yield has ruled high and 1t is
also true that there were several reasons
for the high price. The Maine potato this
season is OF a more marketable size and
showed but little rot development. On
the other hand, the New York state stock
showed very large percentage OF rot and
the appearance of tine stock was not up to
that which came from Maine. This con-
dition created demand and was the first
cause OF starting prices upward. Next
came the car shortage, and 1t was impos-
sible to I'LL the orders that came to the
State, and this assisted in booming prices.
s'The third and the larger cause of high
price was the organization OF the farmers,
and, strange to say, the farmers associs-
tions had but very little to do with in
creasing the price paid. 1t was only nee
essary TO set u car on a sidiug and COM
mence loading without reference to price.
In one case one of the stockholders not a
long distance from Bangor loaded three
cars OF his own stock, and the price he re-
ceived from the Farmers union over and
above " hat was being paid at the station
IN question was sufficient to pay for po-
tsto-digger he had bought early i'm the
fall. Less than a week later the difference
would not pay for a rake.
During this time the Farmers union
had not bought potato, and the stock
holder was loading his own stock ialong
the line of experimenting with the aid OF
the Farmers union of Maine. This same
station had the reputation OF being the
lowest station OF Maine, and to-day 1t is
suc niEurst III Nnc DthtS- AhSNS WV az
reasons FOR such an advance, for the
stockholders OF the local exchange pro-
posed to load only stock that they owned.
Later, however, one of the members
started to buy and the price advanced to
figure that made the business unproht-
able. He ceased operations, and prices
dropped back out of proportion with the
drop in the market.
''Similar conditions have existed in
many other sections, and in fact there was
never a time when the farmers OF Maine
got so near the market. In addition to
this the educational work that has been
carried on has brought about change.
In every case this season when the prices
fell off ii brought the business to stand
still practically, showing that the instruc-
tions given ito feed the market as they