Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-01
WATERvILLE FAIR
Commerce Board Sup
per Great Success
Harvey D. Eaton; President Alley OF
Y. of NJ, Or. Otis Smith, Dr.. Leon
S. Merrill, State Master Thompson,
Commissioner Roberts and Fred w.
Clair Speak-GeneraI Opinion Wat
srviIle Place for Real State Fair Such
as State Needs

The meeting Of the Chamber Of Com
merce held In Elks hall Wednesday
evening in the interest Of the Water
willie fair, was largely attended by the
representative business men of the
city. The supper was furnished by the
Free Baptist church and was fine
one.
After supper was finished the meet
ing was called to order by President
Harry S Brown, who introduced Har-
vey D. Eaton as the first speaker.
Harvey D. Eaton
Mr.. Eaton said that he felt this was
a very important matter in the inter-
ests of Maine farms. He spoke of the
Western boom and how some of the
farms of Maine were deserted for
those places and Of how it was for a
time fashionable to decrie Maine
farms and their ability to be run at a
profit He told Of events of judging in
the West and Of how a winner in those
great contests was raised in territory
that was not as good as Maine and
how here if properly cultivated they
would produce much more and of how
he had done it at his farm in Corn
VILE.
In speaking of the fair he declared
that IL was not now a show but the
windup of competition and contests, in
all of which the best efforts of men
wero involved. He went into details in
this matter to some extent, showing
how it was a great educational fea-
ture. He also spoke Of the sale held
at the fair and Of the advantage of it
TO the State, saying it was only a be-
ginning. He closed by declaring that
the time had come to spread out the
falr here and make at a great State
fair and do its part in making the
State a powerful one in dairy and
farming interests.
President Alley of U. Of NJ.
The second speaker was President
Robert j. Alley of the University of
Maine. He said that the fairs now
have changed from agricultural fairs
to entertainments and that he was
pleased that this fair here was trying
to get back to its original plan. That
products of the farm are necessary and
methods of food production should be
improved and increased without the
increase of man power.
he said that the attitude of the Uni
Versity to the fair was one that they
would like to do more but that they
did not have the money. The first OBJ
Ject Of the University is to educate
those at the University and under
these conditions they have been unable
70 do what they would like to do.
He said that tho CHI h.
that they would help to make farming
attractive to the people. The ideal fair
would be one that would show all the
industries of the State to ADVANTAGE in
Guiding a great deal Of attention TO
farming. The colleges of the country
have made good in this great crisis
and must have the support of the PEG
pie of the country. America is to lead
the world and will do so after the war
This country must have more conf
dence in educated men and if so these
things will come about
Mr. Eaton here spoke a good word
for the Grange and of how it should
help in this matter.
Or. Otis Smith
Mr. Brown then introduced DR.. Otis
Smith of Portland, who said that there
was a great difference between being
a farmer and thinking that you are
one. He declared that it was neces
sary to have real State fair here and
one that will have such educational
features that every farmer in Maine
VIII want to see it and get full
value for the money expended
by him to see it. He told of
what had been at SPRINGFIELD
In discussing what should he done in
regard to State fair he declared that
Waterville was the ideal place for it and
that It was something that was badly
needed in Maine
Or. Leon S. Merrill
The next speaker was Dr. Leon S. Mer-
rill Of tie University of Maine Mr. Mer-
rill went into the question Of what should
be done at the Waterville fair and Of
plans 10 make it so. He discussed the
situation in respect to livestock in the
countries at war with the exception of
the United States. At the end of the wa,
the whole world will be short on cattls
and long on feed stocks and that we need
central rallying point to induce them
to do this.
He declared that the university would
welcome the opportunity to meet the peo-
pie Of the state at the State fair in Wa
terville. He said that boys should be
brought here every year to take part in
the Judging contest and that the number
should be increased each year. The fair
should be made so strong that its educa-
tional features should outweigh every
thing else.
State Master Thompson
The next speaker was Hon W. J.
Thompson. master Of the State Grange.
who discussed the farming question from
Its standpoint in this and other coun.
tries and Of how here the farmer Is on
par with any other business. He spoke
OF how the people are leaving the farms
for the cities. It will not continue to go1
on. Now agriculture must be classed with
other mercantile pursuits. He declared
that he hoped to see the time come when
one fair should overshadow all others.
and that he believed watervlle was the
place for it. The fair can be developed
by interested people outside Of the coun-
~ and that the Grange will do all possible
TO help.
Commissioner Roberts