The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-02-20

Thursday afternoon, the first Con-
ference of Maine Lecturers P. Of H
found an enthusiastic gathering of 300
members of the State Grange, at AL
gusta, some of whom had come $50 to
200 miles to attend the session.
City hall had been tastefully deco
OF blue and golden bunting. colors OF
the P. of H. suggested by the blue
OF the sky and gold of the corn at
Harvest time, on stage and gallery
fronts. The stage recess was cur
tanned with large American flags
draped at each side with huge flag
hanging over the rear of the stage as
a background. The chairman's desk
was wound with flag and the Score
tarys table hung with yellow and blue
bunting while in large letters, P. oi
H.. in the same colors and formed oi
bunting ropes occupied the center nj
the front of the stage. Here and there
smaller flags with stats crossed added
to the pretty effect.
few moments after o'clock, the
conference was called to order by
State Lecturer B. Walker McKeen
who later was made chairman and the
conference was opened by the rousing
rendition of America" by all in the
hall
Roy c. Haines of Ellsworth, to whom
especially is due the success of the
conference, he having arranged the de-
tails while conducting food fairs in
eastern Maine, this winter, recited the
experiences of the lecturers in Port
land at the State Grange session, and
the history of the conference TO date.
He called upon Harry A. Goss of
Androscoggin Grange of Greene to
read a paper which proved snappy
and suggestive treaties upon possible
work of the Oranges in improving
matters in their various communities.
A p. Howes of Palmyra in discus
sing this paper, spoke of the school
houses empty evenings and many days
in which lectures for the people could
be held and otherwise put to use for
public good.
Chairman McKeen referred to the
pleasant prospect of this Legislature
passing the bill giving equal suffrage
to the ladies'. He had shown the
State Lecturer from Massachusetts
about the Capitol, Wednesday, and
the guest had remarked upon the ex-
cellence of Maine women. He wanted
them to give the Massachusetts Grang-
er a rousing reception and he called
on State Lecturer e. F. Richardson Of
Mills, Mass, for few remarks.
Lecturer Richardson said that his
reception was all right. He jumped
at once into matters of the Grange.
He had been told that in Maine some
Oranges numbered 10 members. They
had none so large in Massachusetts,
He also referred to the many more
locals outnumbering those of the other
New England states and said that In
community work the Massachusetts
= Changers took great interest.
Thursday evening. the Grange lee
turers were encouraged and gladden.
ed by an assemblage in City hall that
was nearly three times in numbers as
large as that which gathered in the
afternoon. The seats on the floor
of the big hall were three-fourths
occupied and by men and women of
whom any state might we'll be proud.
Previous to the speaking program
Dennis orchestra admirably rendered
selections that met with favor.
The program was as follows:
Selection; Address of Welcome, City
Treasurer, Niles l. Perkins; Response,
State Lecturer, B. Walker McKeen of
Fryeburg; selection, Dennis Orches-
ira Greetings to Lecturers, State
Master c. s. Stetson of Greene Ad-
dress, Grange Work and Ideals, Hon.
N. P. Hull OF Diamondale, Mich. lee
turer of National Grange; address
Grange Work in the Granite State