Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-18

the available cash and their associa-
ton did not have sufficient capital TO
furnish the goods on time. Figuring
from basis of 10000 tons at $500
per ton over the cash price charged by
the farmers organizations, then the
farmers paid out in interest money the
grand total of $7S0,000 This money
practically all went cut Of the State
where it is much needed. as the banks
have not sufficient money to finance
the farm. It has been said that the
banks were loath to furnish the farm
er with funds, but the experience of
the department is that the banks
will loan the farmer under proper
condition However, it must be plain
to all that our credit system is ex-
tremely bad, for the prosperity of the
farm and it would appear that our
legislators, both State and national,
are far behind other countries in es-
tablishing rural banks through which
the farmer can secure sufficient capt.
tai to properly finance his farm opera
items. The Bureau of Marketing ana
Supplies would strongly recommend
that if the Congress does not estap-
fish a rural banking system our state
Legislature act at it's next session.
1.-THE departments plan of organlza-
ton extends far beyond our State line
First the foundation is laid at the farm
The farmer is in control at the leading
station, he controls the State central
body and when the other states have es-
tablished central bodies and made their
organization Statewide, the former Will
be in control of the organization work in
every marketing center in the country
"Our State covers a large territory ana
l find 1t difficult to respond to all the
calls for my services and take care OF
the Office work. We now have 80 local
exchanges, State central body and
State supply house through which the
local exchanges purchase their supplies
number of these are prospecting.
while some of them are, not active ana
these need considerable attention. 1t
would be good judgment to stop organic
ing new exchanges for time, but as
the department is for all farming Maine
II would not appear to be good Juds-
ment to refuse to organize in sections
where we are requested SO to do. Every
local exchange organized since April /.
1913. has been organized by request.
"The Bureau of Marketing and Supplies
is not endeavoring to extend the territory
already occupied. but rather seeking to
enlarge and put into active operation
every exchange now in the field. The
Bureau has appointed selling agents in
Boston, Worcester and New York, Sc
cured credit for the farmers through the
banks, contracted for the farmers sup
ply of fertilizer, poisons and small weeds,
established a central supply house, as
sisted in bringing about the building of
potato houses and grist mills, educated
along the line of stock true in name,
better grading and sorting and an hon
est pack in all cases. 1t would be guess
work to estimate how many thousands
of dollars have been lost by the farmers
of Maine on account of poor grading and
sorting This method, however, has re-
dueed the price of all Maine stock from
five to 10 cents per bushel and if the Bu-
reau can bring about the grading of the
potato and apple up to the standard
recognized by the buyer it will add great
" to the wealth of the state of Maine. J"