Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-18

'tunity. He said that the bigger the man
the bigger was the opportunity. He call
ed attention to the vacancy in Maine.
Then, Offering explanations to Mr.. Pat
tangall. spoke of the Isle of Guernsey
which was but "a square miles, being less
than Maine township. and OF that Isl
and live 4l,o00 people who export agri-
culture to London. New England soil VIII
respond and things can be raised here
The business of farming is not that or
swapping pennies but Of actually produc-
ing wealth He said he was mighty glad
the people are waking up TO the possibii-
iii OF the vacant places.
= w. r. PattansalI
William r. Pattangall upon being asked
to speak said he thought it was about
time that they heard from a practice,
farmer. lie said that he was familiar
with the workings of the league as ne had
started such an organization year ago
all alone. His farming career was not
long. but typical, and the first crop he
raised was the mortgage. He said If he
had known how the weather was going
TO act last summer he would have started
duck farming. He said that Maine ought
to raise its own food and he hoped that
was possible and that II was feasible to
do Il now. To combat with the pork prob
lem was to go farther bacll-was to raise
corn. He said he believed in a combina-
ton of business men TO see what the
problems were and that they would be OF
great assistance. 1t involves more than
saying plant more crops, be patriotic. 1t
is a long, careful road to encourage the
young people to go to the farm. In clos
ing he said II should tire YOU out if
talked them all over Ghe probems), but
can talk them over in my heart"
Plea for Schools
Augustus Q. Thomas. State superin-
tendent Of schools. said he was born,
bred and buttered on a farm and that
he was in thorough sympathy with the
movement. He said that it cannot be
talked back to the farms but that the
boys and girls must be begun with.
First thing to be done is to make the
farm safe for the farmer. II requires
more brains 70 run a farm than to
practice law. The farmer must know
hills and moisture. heredity and envir
olment Of crops. His business touches
business at every phase There is no
Western front nowadays and the
abandoned farm must be stocked.
we know we are our brothers keep
ers." With the mortgaging of the farm
and the decrease in the production the
future generation will suffer. He said
the State can support all of New Eng
land and il is a great movement. But
l want it to include good schools for
country people and then it meets with
MY hearty approval"
c. S. Stetson of Greene, former mas
ter Of the State Grange, said that af-
ter eight years of association he knew
the needs of the farmers and that there
was no doubt but what the farmer
needed help and encouragement. They
should be approached from the stand
point of business men. He does not be-
/ lieve that the average farmer repudi-
ates his obligations. One discouraging
part of the work is the scarcity of la
Dor. II the farmer can be assured Of
sufficient help that will also encourage
him.
7 Then NJ. Adams said he hoped that
the kennebec valley men would form
an organization and was assured by
Mir. Macon1ber that such steps would
be taken very soon. The meeting was
closed.
This meeting was the first of group
which will be held all over the State
by the League.
Those Present -
/ Those present were: GOV. ACarl r.
Milliken, George +. Macoflber, Angus
tus O. Thomas. Henry E. Dunnack, Z.
V. Hill, Fred Belyea, George W. Wick
cry, l.. d. Bristol. Frank T.. Smith, d.
W. Adams. Arthur W. Whiting. Nathan
Weston. Fred S. Daggett, w. r. Ayers,
w. r. Pattangall, +. A., Gray, c. S.
Hichborn. T. a. Cooper, Frank +.
Tracy, Willis f. Swift. Paul D. Sar-
gent, f. f. Newbert. Ernest e. Nc
Lean, Burleigh Martin. John E. Han
son, f. A. Hussey. W. D. Hutchns, f.
c. CARL. Thomas Ingraham. all Of Au-
gusta: j. Henry Rines Silas b. Adams,
George T. Hobbs. w. G. Hunton, w. b.
Moore and Charles H. White, all of
Portland: c. S. Stetson Of Greene
Weston Lewis of Gardiner; o. A. Nor
ton of Winthrop; Harvey D. Eaton, t.
J. Arnold. A A. Head. William J. Ian
igan. X. NJ. Gilmore, George e. Aver
ILL., all of Waterville.