Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-05
Manager Embree's Reply.

To this letter Manager Embree sent
the following reply which is of inter-
est to every farmer in Maine
| Waterville. April 3, 1916.
Federal Trade Commission,
Washington, d. c.
\ Gentlemen:-I have your favor of
March with enclosures. | should
say that the Commission is engaged in
4 good work, but perhaps | might be
pardoned if | say that YOU do not
touch upon that part of the business
Of the country that is the most i'm
portant, viz, the Farm.
| 1t is well understood that this coun-
! try cannot enjoy any great prosperity
unless the farm prospers. The farm
ers Of the country produce 10000
600. 900 of wealth every year and ow-
ing to our system very little of this
wealth remains to the credit of the
farmers Instead of legislating for
him, many bills are presented to the
Congress that are opposed to the in
tereSts of the farmer and hence to the
whole country.
| would call your attention to the
"STF,NENS BILL" and would suggest
that the bill in its provisions is the
most infamous measure ever pre-
scented.
For three years there has been bill
before the Congress having in view the
establishing of q banking system.
There it remains and when it comes
to the front amendments are tackled
upon it until it loses its identity.
The Farmers Union Of Maine is
composed of 50 local business units all
of which do their buying and selling
through the central body. We have
erected % shipping houses, % grain
stores, six grocery stores, a wholesale
grain house. a distributing house in
Boston and selling agency in New
York city. The first years business
amounted to Ssh O0o second year to
$4,000, third year 100000 and this
year we estimate the gross amount
will be over s1,000,000
Lack Of capital is our trouble and
if there was a banking system through
which the farmer could borrow money
to assist in his farm operations, it
would so long way toward bringing
prosperity to the farm and of course
the whole country would benefit in the
same measure. Senator johnson, one
of our representatives in the Senate is
well Informed as to the scope of our
business and if You desire you might
confer with him.
| l came to Maine from New York
about four years ago at the solicitation
of the Agricultural Department and all
this work has been accomplished in
that time. The Congress for so years
has legislated for the manufacturer,
the banks and the city. AS result
these units have prospered and we
farmers are glad that they have pros
pered. However, the time has come
when the farmer expects the attention
of the Congress and we believe we will
find way to impress upon them the
great necessity of the farm
You may say that the government
has interested itself to assist the farm
er. This is true so far as scientific
growing is concerned. 1t is also true
that our colleges have done a great
work. AS result tire farmer has be-
come quite proficient scientifically but
lacks in business methods. What we
want is to have the government apply
the same methods in the interest OF
the farm as it does in other bust
ness. If it is right and proper that
other lines of trade should combine for
protection, then it is right for the
great farming interests to combine for
their protection.
This letter is stretching out to a
greater extent than 1 intended. but as
you requested that l fill out certain
papers, and these papers were meant
for a different kind of business, ]
thought 1 would take the. liberty OF
trying to direct your minds in a chan
mel that is Of more importance to the