Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-16
Farmers Union Friction.

Farmers Union Friction.
The friction in the executive board
of the Farmers Union OF Maine, which
generated so much heat that the man
ager. Mr.. C. E. Embree, resigned. has
not been relieved, we fear. by the ac-
ceptance of Mr.. Embree's resignation
and the election of his successor.
With misgiyings we saw the develop
ment of inner difficulties in this SPLEEN
did organization that has already
meant so much to the farmers of
Maine, and contains possibilities so
great for them.
The Farmers Union of Maine was
becoming known. admired, envied, and
bound to he initiated all over the
country. All that was necessary was
continuation along the same road,
level heads, restrained tendencies
toward politics and cumbersome clerf-
cal force, the same energy put into
further organization and loyal CO.
operation. 1t was of course necessary
that every individual, particularly
those having the more active parts,
put the welfare Of the organization
above any personal ambition. That is
the cardinal principle of cooperation.
But somebody never heard of such
principle or forgot it, for backbiting,
undermining. and sometimes, we fear.
downright lying were INDUCED. More
than a year ago we began quiet in
vestigation of "rumors," and finally
wrote very frank letter to Manager
Embree, telling him of some of the
things that were being said. Mr.. En-
bree was loyal to and promptly de-
Tended every one of his close asso-
ciates. We then advised with him as
to plan of lifting the whole thing
above petty gossip and personalities
by taking all the people into the con-
fidence of the organization and open
ing up it's affairs to the public.
In measure this plan was carried
out and the progress of the movement
had never been so pronounced and
favorable as in the following months,
in spite of certain strong opposing
forces.
Our interest in the organization is
Just as keen as ever, for we have
many friends who may be vitality af-
fected by its welfare. But we are
sincerely sorry that the services of Mr..
Embree have been lost We honestly
believe that a mistake has been made,
and we fear that the division now ap-
parent may eventually prove disas-
trous unless stronger hands and clear
er heads than now in sight are
brought to the front.
Some men are not big enough to
recognize their own incapacity for a
given service. And right here we
wish to congratulate Mr.. F. A. Bulge
who was elected general manager and
promptly resigned. We would recon-
mend that the board get down to legal
methods, methods that cannot be
questioned, and secure the active SER
vice of two or three men of Mr..
Budges sense and judgment.
Men who are good organizers are
scarce enough to make good demand
for their services. They are endowed
with a special gift. Few of them are
altruistic enough to devote themselves
to the future Of agriculture-ther tall
ents bring much greater financial re-
ward in industrial fields. And the
man who just now succeeds to the
managership of the Farmers Union OF
Maine is likely to have about 4s bad
half hours every day, if he cares rap
one way or another.
Somebody In the Farmers Union OF
Maine must wake up and get busy
as busy as Billy Sunday before con-
gregation of bar tenders and booze
guzzlers, and they must not do TOO
many things WRONG.
We learn that former Commissioner
Buckley has written a very frank and
somewhat forceful letter concerning
the present status of affairs in the
Farmers Union organization. This
we may give to the public later.
Following is the letter of resignation
by the newly appointed General Man.
ager":
Penobscot Valley Farmers Ship
ping Union, F. A. Bulge. Manager.
COPY
Mattawamkeag, Me-, Nov. 6, 1916.
Executive Board of Farmers
Union of Maine.
Dear Sirs:-It is useless for me
to inform you of my surprise. at
the meeting Of your Board; when
you asked me to accept the posi-
ton OF general Manager" of the
Farmers Union of Maine.