Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-21
THE SITUATION.

en- urging ITOH ATOOStOoh poidto
growers and shippers, has instructed
the State Board of Arbitration and
Cancellation to act at once toward set
Element of the strike by the engineers
and firemen of the Bangor & Aroos-
took Railroad \ letter was mailed, to
each of the members of the board,
Monday night. after long telephone
conversations between the Governor.
at his home in Waterville and Repre-
sentative George w. Irving of Carl
bou, at the State House.
The kilograms being appeals from
leaders in Aroostoook's great industry
for aid from any possible source. All
over appalling loss threatened in con-
ditions now existing and suggest
varied solutions of the problem.
The strike comes at the time of huge
shipments of seed potatoes to the
southern states
Mr.. Irving who is secretary Of the
Aroosteok Shippers Association says
the public has been far from compre-
hending the seriousness Of the situa-
ton as set forth in these kilograms.
Early Deliveries imperative.
The seed potatoes referred to are
placed in store for the specific pur-
pose of furnishing seed for the ex-
treme south Atlantic states and Texas.
The ORDERS are taken in the fall with
a guarantee of delivery in the months
of December, January and early Feb
ruary. As the planting in these re-
gions is finished the latter part of
February, it is imperative that the
seed reach them before that time.
One of the damaging feature is in
the fact that many of these varities
of potatoes are saved especially be-
cause of their early maturing nature
latter part of the season, notably
among them being the potato Bliss
Triumph. Should this seed not reach
its destination at the time specified in
contract they will be rejected and thus
become a total loss Should it appear
that they cannot be started at the
time agreed upon the orders will be
cuuntermanded and the seed be value
less.
ut means enormous loss to the pro-
ducers and shippers of potatoes in
| Aroostook county" declares Mr.. Irving
Il believe, that the striking engineers
and firemen would be fair enough, of
the proposition were put up TO them
from the proper sources, to- agree to a
suspension of the strike and differences
for period long enough to pass on to
connecting roads the seed above re-
| ferred to-"
The Arbitration Board.
This viii be really the first public
| appearance of the board given the
| breath Of life by the 74th Legislature
| In fact, so little has the utility of the
| DCaGu DCtn teShet tti6tl lHlS HletHOO
of dealing with the case was not con-
sidered until suggested, by a chance
I Remark.
/ 1t was at first proposed, Monday, tc
| accept the suggestion of several of the
shippers that & committee be named Il
ion with the railroad commission tC
facilitate solution. Then legislativ,
advocacy of the move which the Gov
ernor has made was stated to be til,
course proposed. Governor Haines
however. being convinced of the neces
sity of quick action did not wait, bu
issued a letteR at once to the thre
members of the board.
The act creating the board is Chap
ter 229 of the Laws of 1909 and was APP
proved Apr. ?, 1909. The purpose O
The board as stated in Section l. is
ITO endeavor to settle disputes, strike
and lockout between employers an
employees"
The board consists of three member.
one of whom is an employer of labor
the second representative of labo
Continued on page 81