Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-25
Treas. caIIahan,s Report

Treas. CaIIahan's Report
Treasurer T. F. Callahan of Lewiston
made his report for the period from
Sept. "a, 1918, to March "a. 1914, show
ing receipts, wholly from dues from To-
cal boards, amounting to S20.1S, which,
with cash on hand at beginning of
period. makes total highest dues, 81 so,
Augusta being second highest with
$3.50. The disbursements amount to
sS04.91, leaving a balance in the treas
ury OF s413.70. The largest item of ex-
penditure is the printing of 1000 book
lets at $62.15. the next heaviest being
the salary for six months of f. M
Blanding, at SIS. The remaining items
arc for printing, travel expenses, sta
tionery and minor incidentals
Other Reports
Then came a report on re protec-
ton, given by Hon. J. ". Blunt. sec
rotary of the fire prevention commit
tee of the State board.
A. A. Head
This was followed by the report of
A. A. Head of waterville on rural
IV-PENttNloif ne DtiiiS CHAIRMAN OIL
this committee of the State board
The committee early decided that it
was good business for the commercial
organizations to be Interested in the
rural communities for the city must
continue to live off efsthe country and
not only go TO the Country for its
horses. but also for its food and men,
yr1apU IF hast iJoolO rrta
osophy of one of the sages of China
uttered ages ago, is still profoundly
true here in Maine. The we'll being of
a people is like tree, agriculture is
its root, manufacturers and commerce
are its leaYes and branches, but if the
root be II ired, the leaves fall. the
branches break away, and the tree
dies"
The committee has held three meet
ings during the few months of it's ex-
istsnce, one at Waterville, one at Port
land. and one at Bangor. These meet
inss have been in the nature Of hear
ings, or sort of "Juries of Inquiry"
wherein the committee has had the
benefits of the advice of many experts.
The committee has, thus far, had be-
fore it, prosperous farmers, bankers,
street railway experts, railroad presi-
dents. manufacturers, and Mr.. A. f.
Roberts of New York, member OF
the recent American Commission, on
Agricultural cooperation, and has al
so had the assistance of a committee
from the State Grange.
Thus far, our Investigations have
been along four lines. Finance. Pro-
duction, Distribution. and the Organi-
cation of Agriculture and Rural Life.
The endeavor has been to find out
some Of the present and vital needs of
the country. and. if possible, obtain
suggested solutions. This sort of work
should, in the judgment of the COM
mittee, be continued until the whole
field has been carefully canvassed. and
then it will become possible to select
several concrete needs, and perhaps
find remedies for the same that will
enlist the active cooperation of both
the farmers and business men of
Maine.
This partial survey of the State has
already revealed to the committee that
the farmers and business men are
agreed that the problems affecting ru-
raj life are exceedingly complex and
so completely interviewer that 1t will
be impossible to solve any one of them,
without considering several others.
Some idea OF the magnitude of the in
ter relationship can be gained il l but
mention that, at every hearing thus far
held we have had men state that the
basic problem was one of adult educa-
ton, that we might work for better
rAo 1s. 70 ynnfhn6G fnr he
sion of the present banking facilities.
scientific farming, for farm bureaus.
county agricultural advisers, and for
experimental farms, for better methods
of marketing farm products. for pro-
duce exchanges, city markets, and
trolley expresses, for agricultural high
schools, for proper forms Of rural rec
rcation and amusements, for practical
knowledge of business methods and
accounting. But If we We're
not successful in arousing the interest
of both the farmers and business men.
and enlisted their active cooperation
in studying all forms of rural Cooper
alton, our work would be in vain.
Therefore, while continued study and
investigation will be needed to proper
ly provide basis for extended action
by your honorable body, your commit
tee has no hesitation in saying that
even a most superficial examination
will reveal the need for enlisting the
help and advice of many of our citi-
zens, and. therefore, as first recon-
mendation, your committee would urge
that this organization call to the at
tention of the various Boards of Trade
in the State. the magnitude and i'm
portance of the rural problem, and
urge the appointment of special COM
mittees on Rural Cooperation In every
community. Such committee can