Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-08-11
STATE HOUSE.
F Farmers Unions Of Maine
Gaining Fcotho|d Fast.
Interesting Story Of Organize
lions from Very First.
New Case In Museum..Motice from
Dept. Of Agriculture.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Regular Meeting of Governor and
Council, Friday, Aug. %, 1918, 10 A. M.

Eeting and Supplies, in an interview by
the Journal reporter. tells the interest
ing history of the growth of the Farm
ers' organizations in Maine, of how
they were organized and the good they
90.
While the formation of the Farmers
Union has served as topic for many
of the newspapers, Mr.. Embree asserts
that the interview he has given the
Journal is absolutely correct and will
undoubtedly serve to dispell doubts
caused by unintentional incorrectness
of former stories.
The interest in Farmers Unions
throughout Maine has greatly increased
during the last few years, and the fol-
lowing will be of interest to farmers:
The Farmers Union Of Maine was
the result of a thorough investigation
of the business methods of the Farm
ers, Associations in various parts of
the country. Through this inVestiga-
ton It was learned that each asso-
citation conducted its business indie
pendent of any other, even though that
We're located in the same state and
same county. 1t was also learned that
these organizations when they oper-
ated in the same markets were in sharp
competition with each other and in
fact in many cases their relations Were
decidedly antagonistic.
The mana gements of these organl-
cations were constantly preaching CO.
operation to their membership. while
they. themselves. wete violating its
very foundation principle.
Quite recently the Burlington Coun-
" Exchange was making every effort
10 hold the New York market at IS
cents /. o. b. loading station and iii
the meantime the South Jersey organ
ization We're offering their potatoes at
ca cents. To overcome the unfortu-
nate conditions noted it was planned
to organize New York state on state
vice basis There We're to be local ex-
changes formed in the various produc-
ing certers and when this was accom-
plished, these locals We're to organize
state Central Body with which all the
locals Nere To he affifilffiiated The
state Central Body was to act as a
ceiling buying agency and all the
products of the locals We're to pass
through the state body.
Al the annual meeting of the Long
Island Potato Exchange of RiVerhead,
n Y, in June, 1910 this plan was
plaeed before the stockholders anu by
them endorsed The management were
then instructed to use every ehdeaVof
TO bring about the organization OF the
state ON the lines indicated. Nhlle the
mana cement We're instructed TO carry
on. this stupendous proposition no
funds were appropriated and IN TACT
there were none available. However,
circular was prepared and sent out to
the Oranges of New York and Maine.
over a hundred replies were received
endorsing the plan, but owing TO the
lack Of funds nothing of d practical ma
ture was accomplished. Realizing tha'
all our efforts TO organize would re-
suit in failure unless there were funus
available. the commissioners OF the ag-
ricultu~al departments of Maine anu
the New England states We're appealed
to- Repiies were received from all OF
them endorsing the plan. but with the
execution of Maine these commission
ers declined to take upon themselves
the responsibility.
AS a result of correspondent be-
tween the commissioner of the Maine
state department and Lcng Island, the
educational work started at Perry, Me-,
Dec. 8, 1911. Meetings were held in al
most all the important producing GEN.
ters in the State and finally the Maine
Central Potato Exchange of Bruins
wick was formed. Others quickly fol-
lowed and. June rs, 1912, representa-
tives from the following locals met at
Bangor and organized the Farmers
Union of Maine:
Maine Central Potato Exchange of
Brunswick: Maine Central Potato E.x-
change of Dexter, Maine Central Farm
ers' Exchange of Waterville, Maine
Central Farmers Exchange of Pitts
field, Central Maine Cooperative FIX
change of Dover. Androscoggin Grange
Cooperative Association of Auburn.
Aroostook Farmers Exchange of Fort
Fairfield. New Sweden Grange Pro-
duee Co.. of New Sweden.
The Farmers Union of Maine was in
corporated under the laws of Maine.
Capital stock, $4,000 and shares $40
each.
1t was voted that the governing
board of the association was to De
made up from one representative from
each of the affiliated local associations |
and that any farmers association then
formed or that might be formed later
could affiliate with the State BODY py
purchasing five shares of stock. Lat
er locals were formed and were am
hated as follows:
Maine Central Farmers Exchange OF
Cumberland and OxIofd
Farmers Exchange of Bridgton, Eastoh
Farmers Union of Easton, AshIahd
Farmers Union of Ashland, Stockholm
Farmers Union of Stockholm, Waiao
County Farmers Union of UNITY BUCKS
port Farmers Union og Bucksport, Ciin-
ton Farmers Exchange of clinton, Or
rington Farmers Union of Orrington,
The Brooks Local Union of Brooks, Ben
ton Farmers Local Union og Benton,
North Penobscot Farmers Exchange or
Springfield.
In addition to the above there are nve
other associations in process OF organ
ization which will be completed. this fall.
1t will be understood that these ex-
changes. were all new and none, OF them
ready for practical work. 1t appeared