The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-08-27

fast Union has an immense territory and much
is expected of that Union. formed August oath
with 40 charter members. The time has come
when the Maine farmer should receive more
than IS per cent for the produce that costs the
consumer one dollar, and the Union aims to cut
out the middle men and thus market their
goods for less cost. The Union does not aim to
injure anyone, but does intend to benefit the
farmer. 1t is here the influence of the Grange
gives trust and encouragement and exemplifes
the spirit of fraternity. Mr.. Evans referred
briefly to the Shippers Union as it exists in
other sections of the State and expressed his
qualification in having at the meeting o. B.
Abbott, president of the North Penobscot Ex-
change, who was soon to go to Boston to break
a way into the markets for the Farmers Unions
of Maine and he urged the farmers in this To-
cality to give him time and opportunity to hold
his place, which the speaker onfdently thinks
he is well fitted to do. The State Union is
backed by the State Department of Agricul-
ture. and other States are writing to Maine for
information of her Unions, local and State-a
good illustration of her motto-Dirigo.
Mr.. Abbott was the next speaker and was
greeted with applause. He spoke mainly of
the Unions east of Bangor, and of the Penob-
scot Exchange, of which he is president. Last
year they maintained two shipping houses;
next winter they will have twelve. That at
Kingman has done great work and handles
barrel of produce to the markets for 10 cents
net to the producer and at an actual cost of
cents to the Union, making saving of 1895
for their treasury and paying its stockholders
per cent. This Union has its sales manager
and each local union has its business indepen-
dent. The trade mark of the Penobscot Valley
Shippers Union is a crescent which is placed
on the barrels and on the car doors, with "a"
in the crescent for the first grade of goods and
..B'' for the second. Their chief product, po-
tatoes, have three vaues-dug, in hands of
shippers and on the market, and it requires
skill in judgment to know how to handle the
crop. MIR. Abbott said he expected "to have
hard time of it in Boston," He intends to
work for the Maine Farmers Union and the
farmers must supply him with their best and
lay aside all petty jealousies. remembering
that "a mule never kicks when he is pulling"
He warned the farmers of the middlemen who
are paying more for some articles than the
market warrants, hoping to cripple the buyers
of the Unions. He advised the Unions in this
vicinity to form Shippers Union with gen.
eral manager, as one could reach the mar
kets with large shipments to better advantage
than six men with small shipments and the ex-
pense would be less and the grades of goods
more uniform.
Wilbur Reynolds of the Unity Union COM
plimented the Brooks Union on its success and
said that his home Union were looking for
ward to store and potato house. His re-
marks were bright and interesting. He urged
the formation of Shippers Union and ex-
pressed his loyalty to his local Union. He
thought Mr.. Abbott the right man for the Bos-
ton store. He said the local Unions should
have stated meetings for the exchange of ex
perience and new IDEAS He spoke at length of
fertilizers and strongly commended the Thom-
as brand, which is used by the Unions of
Maine.
C. E. Embree of the Department of Agricul-
ture took up this subject and said that the
Thomas fertilizer vas all that was claimed for
it and that it was prepared from formula
furnished by the State Union and sold to its
members at saving of Sc per ton.
Hon. John A. Roberts, State Commissioner
of Agriculture then arrived. was intro
duced and given an enthusiastic recep-
tion. He is pleasing speaker, has an
intimate knowledge of Names opportunities
and advantages, and his plea for the Unions
was strong one. He declared its chief OBJ
ject to be the bringing together of the rural
population tor cooperation, working together
and taking advantage of opportunities In
years past Maine farmers lived too much apart
but rural delivery, parcel post, the telephone
and auto have brought about changed and i'm
proved conditions. To market their crops and
| buy supplies has been, and in some sections
still is, the question with farmers, and the
Union Is looking to the real solution of these
| perplexities. He said the foreign conditions
would tend to open up the large markets of
this country to the Maine farmer. Other States
in the South are writing the Maine Depart
ment for seed potatoes, and from all sections
of our country are coming inquiries of the
Union, showing it is nationwide and come to
stay. When Mr.. Embree asked the Depart
ment for an appropriation for the Union it
was an experiment; today it is remarkably
good investment. He said it was easy to Or
ganize, but warned the farmers present to use
their best judgment in management and to
subordinate individual ideas to the general
thought.
At this juncture dinner was announced and
Mr.. Roberts said he would add few thoughts
at the afternoon session.
The Ladies' Aid of the Brooks church pro-
I vided an abundant dinner in the banquet hall
in the building, under the auspices of the
Brooks Union. The menu was a good one and
the quality Of the best and well served.
| At the afternoon session Seth w. Norwood.
teacher of the Brooks High school. announced
that the Belfast Board pf Trade would help
bear the expense of farm demonstrator to
come to Waldo county from the University of
Maine, and asked tnar sacn un,on appoint .