The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-09-04
ANNUAL FIELD MEET
OF The Somerset Pomona. Good
Speakers. Large Attendance

The Annual Field Meet of the Som
erset Pomona Grange was held at
Lakewood last Thursday. There was
an attendance of probably 1900 peo-
pie. Somerset Oranges being we'll rep
resented The day was ideal and
the large crowds in attendance GER
-tainly had a most profitable and en-
joyable gathering at this popular re-
sort. The master of Somerset Pomo
ma H. B. Ellis presided during the
exercises and called the gathering to
order at 1130. His opening remarks
were cordially given and after men
tioning the beauties of the day and
the significance of the occasion he
called upon A. E. Morse of South
Paris. who responded with an inter
esting reading.
The first speaker Of the day was
State Master, G. S. Stetson and he was
given most cordial reception which
in itself proved the pleasure which
Somerset people felt in having this
prominent official in their midst. His
theme was largely based on the Good
Roads proposition and the conserya-
ton of our natural resources.
He first cracked a few jokes and
then expressed his pleasure at being in
so beautiful a spot and to talk to so
fine an audience. Such meetings were
good for the people and for agricul
ture. The man who never gets into
the sunlight and holds his head erect
becomes narrow in his views. 1t Is
such meetings as these that broaden
the mind. Mr. Stetson then showed
what the Grange in Maine had done
and paid high tribute to the men who
upheld its banners 40 years ago. It
required courage then and they made
it possible for the work that we are
doing today. We have 10000 men,
bers and one and a quarter million
dollars of property in the State. Does
it pay The organization is all right
and when we are all vitalized it will
do its best work. National Master
Wilson had told what the order had
done in Illinois. One clergyman had
attempted to speak to a farmers
meeting who was not prepared, but to
make amends he dropped dollar in
the box. The deacon gave it back
to him and his son remarked that 4
he had put more in he would have
taken more out. That is the way with
the Grange. The more we put in the
more we will take out.
Mr.. Stetson then gave hearty en-
dorsement of woman suffrage and said
it would soon come and then many of
our great problems would be settled.
The good roads question was one of
the most vital. The roads of Somer
set county were not what they should
be and 40 per cent of the expense in
keeping up the present system was
waste There was no excuse for its
costing 80 cents for every mile to
market with a ton of produce. The
automobile was with us and its owner
should help pay for better roads.
The water powers of Maine were
then discussed. 1t was a God-giyeo
resource and would yet turn all the
wheels of industry. Electricity should
be used on every farm to do the work
and the farmers should have that
bounty. Guard we'll that source of
wealth said Mr. Stetson, amidst the
applause of the audience.
The transportation question was Of
the highest Importance. X. l.. cum
mings. one of the largest apple ship
pers in Maine, had told the speaker
that rates had increased AZ per cent
within the past year or two. We were
paying 56 per cent too much to trans
port our products to market. The
railroads are talking about increasing
the rates still more. We had no
quarrel with the railroads ana were
willing that they should have full pay
- their services but we are not will
tng to pay in.ercSt on an enorpofs
amount of watered stock. The Grange
drew the line at that, and the speaker
asked every loyal member of the order
to stand behind that proposition. Cap
plause)
This ended the program of the fore
noon and recess for dinner was
taken.
During the noon hour there were
numerous picnic parties who made
merry and about $50 p. M, the ses-
sion was again called to order. There
was some excellent music by the
Military Band after which
c. NJ. Freeman, the national secretary
was introduced and received with ap
plause. In a most intelligent man
ner Mr.. Freeman handled some of the
great problems of the day and showed
the mission of the Grange insisting
that it occupied a place in its work to
benefit agriculture that no other order
could fill. He also gave it great
credit along educational lines. He
cited his own life, as when a boy he
could find no place to learn to be