Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-16
Presidsnt's Address

Prssidsnt's Address
Following Is the address bv pr..,.
dent Tags:
MEMBERS Of the State Board Of Trade:
nave tho honor Of greeting q com.
pany OF men who have gathered to
consider some Of the things which are
OF importance to Maine. You have
ieit your homes and your business. not
only to enjoy the hospitality Of our
good friends Of Lisbon Fails, but to
bring into the common field the mat
tiers Of State interest which have been
evolved by the various local Boards
OF Trade and Chambers Of Commerce.
to learn from each other something Of
the State progress and possibilities
and to gather a clearer recognition Of
the leading problems in Names de-
velopment
Opinions will differ as to what these
are, but the search for them is sure to
stimulate thought about them. and
thought. reflection and study are the
forerunners Of action. development and
realization. l wish to emphasize this
because there is a general recognition
sweeping through the nation that hap
hazard attack and guesswork activity
are doomed to increasing disappoint-
ment; and that fallacies. discovered
only after a weary demonstration that
they will not work, are costly.
Therefore l welcome this gathering
and congratulate you upon the in
orn IN Mt in
is being manifested by the local or
CARNATIONS. We find that the Auburn
Board of Trade has inaugurated q
campaign for clean money and invited
general cooperation; the Bangor
Chamber OF Commerce had advanced
the happy suggestion of Postal Card
Day as a means for Maine publicity
and also invited cooperative effort to
curb the abuse Of the parcels post by
mail order houses; the Portland
Chamber Of Commerce has brought
much attention and fame to Maine by
the launching Of the Maine Aeronautl-
cal Coast Patrol, the first attempt OF
its kind in the United States, and IS
preparing active assistance for the
Maine Boys Corn clubs. Both the lat
ter boards are also helping on the good
roads problem. These and other
activities show an interest that reach
es beyond local affairs, and develops
the spirit of getting together when IS
impelling Maine steadily forward.
Indeed, Maine is going forward SO
determinately, that it is entitled u
sound a holder note upon its progress
than thus far it has ventured: the
quarter century from 1890 to 1915 has
seen a marvellous change in condi-
tions, a change that is little known
beyond it's boundaries and not fully
realized within. Ask the average per-
son whom you meet the question.
What is the leading pursuit which
characterizes Maine? Is it forestry,
hunting. fishing. summer resorts.
manufacturing, Agricultural" Outside
the State you are liable to meet the
answer hunting and resort Inside
the State, most will answer 'agricul-
ture"
But the United States Census Re-
port says Although agriculture and
fishing are both important in Maine,
manufa curing is the leading industry
Of the State" And I know Of no bet
ter example Of the reward which
comes to the continual agitation OF
subject than this report that manu-
featuring is now the leading industry
Of Maine. For years you have heard
your neighbors say What We need IN
our town is industries Practically
every Board Of Trade has discussed
the subject. Puzzled by Its dif1cui-
ties. discouraged sometimes by the
slow results, but always pounding
away at the great problem, they have
focused increasing attention upon Its
possibilities. Boys have grown 10
manhood with that thought In their
minds. Schools Of technology have
graduated their trained product. "A
new generation has grown up during
that time, and the weight and neces-
sity Of getting a living are upon them.
and the ambitions Of the future are
ahead Of them. And behold, we find
that manufacturing has become inc
leading industry Of Maine. The long
ing and the thought have un1oloeo
into realization. This development Is
not alone in the great recognizeu
manufacturing centers upon the An
droscoeRin and the ssco. but 1t reacn-
es into far portions Of the state ana II
embraces cities which until recentiy
we're not recognized as manufacturing
at ALI. A member O; the editorial stan
If the Bangor Commercial told me re-
Gently that Bangor is beginning to oe
permeated with little industries "nlch
hardly attract attention. but which are
steadily contributing to the cily .
growth. And We all know how aston :
ished Portland was one year TO wake
IN "a the fact that It had manufactur
ing enough within it's borders LOT q
great Industrial exhibit OF IT'S Nv"
products. n..d
Truly. the spirit which. prompteu
saco to put up its great sign and tne
desire which you may fnd dominatihe
ths cities clear to the eastern border
- ~. . xitaIizins force, and Ne find that that
IN the single decade from 1899 10 lsos
the capital invested in manniac'of'e7
~ Maine increased by $ss.o0o, 900.
There is a lesson in this reiauons -.
between agitation Of need ana III.
response to the need. We may WEI.
ha encouraged to the belief that otne.
things may also be accomplished
whenever the community thought De-
l.oro.a formed mon their desirabillty.