Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-27
Tho First Meeting


The first meeting of the day was
called to order shortly after o'clock
In the Silver Raquet hail. with large
number of the delegates present. A
committee on credentials was elected
and then 1t was decided to wait until
the next trains in order that all might
be present. A. Mr.. .Redman, represent
ing the paint company with which the
union Is now doing business, was pres
ent and gave a very Interesting ad-
dress on the paint being supplied to
the unions and of it's value and also
some points regarding costs.
The committee on credentials,
through its chairman, w. S. Rogers,
then reported that there were SO vot-
ing delegates present
The records of the last annual meet
ing and subsequent meetings of the
executive board were read by Clerk c.
c. Clement and We're accepted.
The report of President c. II. Gard
ney of Skowhegan was read and receiv-
ed with applause and then accepted.
It was as follows:
Presidents Report
In submitting the presidents fifth
annual report of the Farmers Union
OF Maine. and the third that 1 have
made, wish at this time to take the
opportunity to congratulate the locals
throughout the state, to the number Of
81. on the fine showing that they have
made during the year and especially
on the good feeling that there seems
to be among all of the organizations.
During the year l have visited a
great majority of the unions. 1t was
our intention at the beginning of the
year to make at least one visit on all,
as we believe the better acquainted
we become and the closer we can be in
touch with the work that you are do
ing. the better will be the results that
will be accomplished. 1 wish to say
that in all of my visits have been
treated with the greatest OF courtesy
at all times and been made to feel that
I was welcome, that we might have
the opportunity of talking over the
different business deals together,
which we consider is of great value to
not only the locals but to the central
organization. In working together, CO.
ordinating our efforts we can accom-
plish great results. and only through
this method can results be accomplish
ed that will be of the greatest value
to the farmers of our state.
During the beginning of this fiscal
year We considered carefully the mat
ter Of whether 1t was better to organ
iZe more unions or to give our time and
attention to the building up and
STRENGTHENING of thnco oIroodY or~a.
lied. rather than to let many of the
old ones lie dormant and the conclu-
sion reached was that we could work
among those already organized to help
them get into active business and Sc
cure the benefits for which they were
created, and along this line it gives
me great pleasure to assure YOU that
we have been successful as the ones
that we have helped to get into active
business and are now among our
strongest unions. and 1t is our purpose
to continue this work as long as there
are any weak spots.
We feel that the unions as a whole
realize and fully appreciate the value
of this cooperative work and I assure
you that II is the only desire of your
executive board that every local shall
be successful. as they may be through
their own efforts with the aid that
will be given them by the central.
told you moment ago that our eff
forts have been used to build and
strengthen old unions and not to or
ganize new ones. at the same time We
have increased our number Is during
the year, and each new union organic
ed has at once been started into ac-
tive business. which We believe is q
long step in the right direction. and in
nearly every case the unions that have
been organized during the year are do
ing a nice business and many of them
have secured quarters and opened up
a place of business, and many more
are making arrangements to build and
be ready for the fall business, and we
hope and feel sure that during the
coming year. many new organizations
will be added to our present number.
As do not wish to take but little
Of our valuable time for my report.
I will now draw to close and let our
manager take up with you in detail
the business end Of this work. but