Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-12

vast forests. The destruction OF our
forests in the dry season Of 1914 was
less than $4,000. This is q great rec
ord and much credid is due this de-
partment of our State. The protec-
ton of our game is of great Importance
to US ali and to the future Of our
State. Our canning industries are and
will continue to/be a great benefit to
all our farmers. The building and
maintaining of our State roads is of
vital interest to all our citizens and to
our whole State. One Of the most i'm
portant matters is the education Of
our young people. This will bring to
us all many happy and satisfactory
returns and will add much to our con-
tinued success and advancement. This
organization must work at all times
for what we honestly believe is for the
best interest Of our State and for the
welfare and advancement OF all our
people. We must try to support our
local industries by using goods made
in this State. With faith in our own
we shall succeed. We must look to
the future and try to improve on the
past. Courage and good hard work
will accomplish much.
The speaker fully appreciates this
splendid gathering, and thanks you all
for the interest you have taken in this
meeting and for your willingness to
help in many ways this very rnpor-
tant and successful organization.
This was followed by semi annual
report of Secretary Blanding which
is herewith given in full:
Secretary BIandins's Report.
Secretary Edward NJ. Blanding re-
ported in part as follows:
Names commercial bodies are gen.
orally prosperous. While in some To-
calities interest may have waned, the
reports from different sections of the
State as a rule are exceedingly graft;
flying and show that business men are
awakening to their opportunities. AT
no time in the history of Maine have
associations Of business men been so
numerous and influential as today, and
they are doing noteworthy work in ad-
vancing the welfare of their respective
communities. \ notable illustration Of
activity is observable in Portland
where as the outcome of vigorous
campaign there has been a civic aWak-
ening, Portlaud's historic Board Of
Trade, after an eventful career OF 61
years, giving way to the Portland
Chamber of Commerce.
In the business world trade and COM
mcrce still feel the effect of the Stirr-
ing scenes across the water. Business
conditions are, however, more normal
than in previous months and a grad
ual Improvement is observable. In
dusIrially there is freedom from
strikes and fair degree Of activity
prevails among Maine factories, a
considerable number of these being
busy on orders for the soldiers at the
front. The present indications are
that there viii be a good volume Of
building during 1915. A Build Now
campaign has of late been inaugurated
with very satisfactory results. Lum-
her and building material are excep-
tionally low and it is peculiarly op-
perfume time to prosecute building OPP
erations advantageously.
Names prosperous condition is strik-
inely shown by the annual report Of
the State Board of Assessors from
which it is learned that the total val
uation of Maine cities, towns and
plantations as made and returned by
the local boards of assessors is $780,
529,1aS representing an increase Of 50.
5o3.696 as compared with similar re-
turns for the preceding year. The in
crease in the cities represents about
3S percent of the total gain in the val
uation Of the State.
Maine resorts are reasonably sure to
profit from the European war. The
American travel in previous years to
foreign shores has been Of large vol
ume but this year these tourists will
forego an ocean voyage and will
throng the coast and island resorts of
Maine. Already the engagements at
hotels and cottages at Maine resorts
assure a largely augmented influx Of
summer visitors 1t behooves all to
cooperate to make the stay Of the
tourists and rusticators enjoyable 50
they may continue to favor US with
their presence in future years.
The Maine State Board of Trade
was represented at the annual meet
ing Of the Chamber Of Commerce of
the United States of America at
Washington, D. c.. in early February,
by .ex-President Frederic E. Boothby,
who Is the State Boards Councillor,
and at that meeting he was also re-
elected a Director Of the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States of
America. An interesting report of the
proceedings at the Washington meet
ing has been received from Col. Booth
by, who is now sojourning at Magno-
liza Springs, Florida, and will be pre-
scented during this meeting.
The afternoon session met at the
Lewiston Chamber of Commerce
rooms at 2.30 O'Clock.
The attendance was very good. AS
usual the afternoon was devoted to
the delivery Of addresses on stated
topics, each introduced in few apt
words by President Chaplin.
Particular attention was paid to
the address Of Prof. Orren c.. Hor-
nell of Bowdoin College on Munich
pal Auditing" He spoke Of the need
our cities and towns have of system
atizing their business methods as pri-
waite corporations do, the first step to
which is proper auditing and account
ing.
Arthur G. Staples gave an able adj
dress upon the subject, Maine as a