The Republican journal., 1915-11-18
GUPTILL AND EMBREE
Have Tilt before Governor and Council.
Especial Dispatch to the Boston Globe

Especial Dispatch to the Boston Globe
AUGUSTA, Me-, Nov. 10. Commissioner
of Agriculture William T. Guptill and C.
E. Embree, manager and promoter of
the Farmers Unions throughout the
State. had lively tilt before Gov. Curtis
and Council today, each accusing the
other OF trying to hamper his undertake
ings.
Ehe controversy grew out of the re-
quest from Commissioner Guptill that
Mr.. Embree, who is chief of the Bureau
of Market and Supplies III the Depart
ment of Agriculture, show him all con.
tracts he had made for supplies, which
Mr.. Embree refused to do. Accordingly
Commissioner Guptill had Mr.. Embree
appear before the Governor and Council,
1t developed that Mr.. Embree receives
$25 week salary from the State and
also pay from the Farmers Unions, al
though Mr.. Embree did not call this
salary, but presents. He said he had
present of $500 last year and one of
$500 this year, and was also presented a
gold watch and chain by the Farmers
Unions.
do you think 1t morally wrong to re-
celve this salary from the State and also
to take a salary, or what practically
amounts to salary, from the Farmers
Unions also?" asked Councillor Scates.
mo, do not, and could not afford to
do this work at less pay" said MIR. En-
bree.
Mr.. Embree's Office is in grain store
in Waterville.
"Ever since the 10Th of June, SO much
commotion has arisen about Mr. Embree.
have tried to find out about some of the
contracts he has executed" said Com
missioner Guptill. "Since that time Mr..
Embree has kept away from the office
and | have been unable to find out
whether or not he was working for my
department. l understand that in Water
vile he has been soliciting trade among
the Farmers Unions for grain concern.
II do not consider that the contracts
should be shown to the Commissioner of
Agriculture, especially those dealing
strictly with the Farmers Unions, and
the board of directors so voted" said
Mr. Embree.
''Mr. Guptill wrote me that, if want
ed to hold my job better show The con-
tracts. Commissioner GuptiIl went to
Springfield, where there was meeting
of the farmers, and told them there was
a great uprising among the farmers in
Maine over the way l was conducting
the unions
81 didn't say any such thing" shouted
Commissioner Guptill.
'He further told the farmers that he
understood l was getting commissions
from the various fertilizer companies,
getting salary from the State, another
from the Farmers Unions and that
had son in Boston who was in the dis
tributing business and that gradually he
and l would take over all the farming
business in Maine," said Mr.. Embree.
"Do you consider you have admins
tered your duties in connection with the
Agricultural Department, Mr.. Embree?''
asked Councillor Cunningham.
Il do, up to last June" said Mr.. EN-
"You have never consulted Commits
sioner Guptill about your duties have
! you?"
mo, have not.
| 'There has been feeling of unrest
about Embree for some time," said Mr..
Guptill, land have been getting a
good many letters asking about him and
his methods. | have allowed him to
draw his salary since the 18th of June
without his raising finger to help the
State Department" +o..
"Would you want to have your work
| taken away from the supervision of the
State Department of Agriculture?'
/ asked Gov. Curtis.
Il would until there is different man
at the head of it, replied Mr.. Embree.
| No definite action was taken by the
Governor and Council.