Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-28
Manager Embree's Report

Manager Embree's Report
Manager C. E. Embree was followed
! closely at the afternoon session when b.
/ read a Enthusiastically careful report o.
his year with the union.
Farmers Union Of Maine.
Four years ago today few farmer.
who had faith to believe that organiza
ton was the solution of the problems o.
the farm, met at City hall, Bangor, ane
organized the Farmers Union Of Maine
and thereby started the farmers of thu
State out on the troubled sea of CONNER
cialism. We did not know at that time
what the future would be, but we hat
. faith in the man who tills the soil o.
Maine.
Our first annual meeting was held a.
Waterville and when the reports were al
in we found that we had transacted {
gross business amounting to $4,000. The
second annual meeting was held at Ban
gor and the business transacted for the
year was about 100000.
Today in accordance with the vote Of
the directors we meet again at Watervlle
and in spite of distressing conditions r
and about practically all our lines, we
are able to report a total business
amounting to approximately 100000.
One of the great factors that enter into
the success of the UNION" is the com
plete harmony that has always existed
and l feel sure that the same good feel
ing will exist throughout our deliberations
today. We have passed through trying
conditions, but we have met them as mer
should, and thus we have proven without
man who tils the soil
| Early in the year of 1915 some friction
was noted between the Agricultural De-
partment and the Farmers Union OF
Maine, but this was only a ripple on the
surface, disturbing at the time. but soon
to pass, leaving the atmosphere clearer
and better after the poison had been ex-
tracted. 1t is true that the appropriation
made for the benefit of the Farmers
Union of Maine by the Legislature in 191s
was used for some other purpose, but to
| what use it was put we do not know and
neither have we concerned ourselves.
The losing of the appropriation was per-
haps a blessing in disguise, for it changes
us from being suppliants with our hands
| outstretched asking for State aid, to free
and independent American citizens, de-
| pendent on no man or influence except
| our membership and the intelligence
that directed their operations. To be free
and unshackled was one of the principles
for which our farmer army struggled
over a century ago. and you men OF
Maine have demonstrated your ability to
cope with adverse conditions alone ana
unaided by the State, and in spite or a
tremendous influence brought against you,
| and I congratulate you. Once more we
have demonstrated that the man who is
actuated by correct, honest principles mas
nothing to fear He can stand before any
audience without fear or trembling, SAFE
and secure in the knowledge that he did
right under all conditions.
Evidence Of Prosperity.
All about US evidence of prosperity can
be discerned. The war has made mlllon-
aires by the thousands, but this pros
perity has not reached the Maine farmer,
Part of the State had to contend with a
failure in the potato line, and all of the
State with unusual conditions. The lack
! of potash upset all the farmers ideas as
to what was best to use to raise the crops
and the transportation facilities was
wretched in the extreme. The railroads
we're simply demoralized because OF the
rush of freight, and they too demonstrate
ed that preparedness was not one OF their
virtues. Your manager has had to stand
as a buffer between the locals, the rail-
roads and the manufacturers.
New Unions.
Eliot Farmers Union, Eliot. Me-, presi-
dent, H. P. Libby, Eliot, Me-; secretary
]. w. Staples, Eliot Depot, Me.
New Gloucester Farmers Union. New
Gloucester Me-. president. Robert r.
Chandler, New Gloucester. Me-; secretary,
Linden l.. Farwell, New Gloucester, Me.
PALMYRA Farmers Union, Palmyra. Me-,
president. c. w. Homestead, Newport, r.
F. D.; secretary, E. c. Levitt, Newport
Star Route.
Corinna Farmers Union, Corinna, Me-,
! president. C. l.. Jones, Corinna. Me.
White Rock Farmers Union, White
Rock, Me-. President, V. w. CARL, White
| Rock. Me-; secretary, l. B. Gilman, Cor
| ham, Me-, r. F. D.
Yarmouth Farmers Union. Yarmouth,
Me, president, w. G. Sweetser, var
mouth, Me-; secretary, Carl w. seabury,
Yarmouth, Me.
South Berwick Farmers Union, South
Berwick, Me.
Machias Farmers Union, Machias, Me-.
secretary, ]. B. Thompson, Machias. Me-
Gardiner Farmers Union. Gardiner, Me-
Mattawamkeag Farmers Union, Malta
wamkeag, Me-, president. A. E. Yarkin
Mattawamkeag, Me; secretary, D. 5.
chadborn, Mattawamkeag. Me.
VIM Farmers Union, VIM, Me. presi-
dent. Harry A. Lewis, Springfield, Me-;
secretary, Ray Thurlow. East VIM, Me.
Freeport Farmers Union, Freeport. Me-,
president G. W. Bartell. Freeport, Me-;
secretary, Ralph NJ. Anderson. Freeport'
Me.
Biddeford Farme Union. Biddeford'
Me. president, E. S. Jellison, bfde1oro'
Me-. secretary, C. o. Sawyer, Biddeford'
Me.
Kenduskeag Farmers Union. Kendus-
keag, Me, president. A. c. York. Ken
duskeag. Me-: secretary. Amos G. Fits'
Levant, Me.
Turner Farmers Union. president, Fred
p. Kicker, Turner, Me-; secretary, J. II.
Copant