Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-22
State Chamber Of Commerce
Ends Session in Capital City

lowed the routine business Of the
morning.
President James @. Gulnac called
for the reports Of the secretary on
tho organizations previous meeting
and for the official call for the pres
emit conference which were read BY
Charles H. White. Mr.. White. who Is
also manager OF the Chamber OK
Commerce and Agricultural League.
read his report of the work of the
organization as follows:
Manager, Charles n. White
In accordance with a resolution
passed at the meeting OF the
State Chamber Of Commerce
and Agricultural League held at
Augusta, May 18th, 1t was de-
cided to have a delegation from this
organization appear before the In
terstate Commerce Commission to
present Names claims in the matter
OF revision of freight rates. Letters
were sent to the various shippers
throughout the State explaining the
action taken and numerous replies
were received from individual con-
Germs requesting that they be official
iy represented by the delegation at
Washington. The subject was given
wide publicity through the first pub
LEGATION of the consolidated organi-
cation covering the address Of Percy
r. Todd, President Of the Bangor and
Aroostook railroad. delivered at the
May meeting. Hundreds OF tele-
grams were sent to the Interstate
Commerce Commission from the diff
ferent organizations and interests
from practically every section Of the
State expressing Names position.
An effort was made to get compar-
ativeSy large delegation to attend the
hearing but advices were received
from Washington requesting that the
delegation be small The State was
ably represented by President James
q. Gulnac Of the State Chamber of
Commerce and e. T. Clifford. men,
Der of the executive committee OF the
State Grange. Advices from Wash
ingtop and other sources stated that
Mr.. Gulnac made the most effective
presentation of facts from the stand
point Of the friendly shipper Of any
witness appearing before the Inter-
state Commerce Commission. It is
evident, therefore. that II was good
business to have Maine SO well rep
resented on a matter of such vital
Importance to Names best welfare.
Publicity was given through the
press giving the main points of the
arguments covered by the delegation.
The Federal Water Bill was the
next matter to claim the attention Of
the State Chamber Of Commerce and
Agricultural League and although
the bill had advanced SO far in Con-
gress that Its passage seemed by
many a foregone conclusion. Yet
the disastrous effect Of the passage
Of the Federal water power bill as
drafted upon the future development
of the State seemed 30 great as to
warrant every possible effect being
exercised to change the bill. Wide
publicity was given showing how
Names interests would be leopard
lied II bill was passed as drafted
giving complete control Of her water
powers over to a federal water pow
er commission. Numerous kilograms
were sent from organizations and in
dfviduals to our representatives in
Congress and others. urging deferred
action until Maine could send a del
egation to Washington for a hearing.
Even after the passage Of the bill a
strenuous effort was made to secure
the Presidents veto. Experience in
connection with the Federal water
power bill furnished conclusive proof
of the need Of a live State organiza-
ton to protect Names interests in
Washington. and had such an organ
ization been In existence earlier
there is not doubt but what
the bill could have been drawn to
safeguard Names interests.
Assistance was given the American
Legion In their membership cam
paign. A resolution was adopted by
the Executive Council and employers
OF labor were urged to secure the en-
rollment Of men under their employ
who were eligible.
I The Executive Council considered
ways and means of assisting the
farmers to secure labor. Business
interests were encouraged to release
men who had had practical farm ex-
perience In sections where the need
was great. College men were en-
couraged to spend their vacation, on
the farm. Several positions were
filled. This farm labor service re-
suited in more help being available
than was applied for at headquart-
ers. .r.
In order to encourage the develop
ment of a stable certified seed trade
In the South two carloads of Irish
Cobbler seed were contracted for by
the State Chamber Of Commerce and
Agricultural League. The seed was
produced at Pressure Isle, Maine. by
the Young Farmers Club and the
project was supervised by Fred Lor-
ing Of Presque Isle. The seed was
certified by the State Department OF
Agriculture. One carload OF seed was
sent to Cape Cod. Mass. the other to
New Jersey. Reports from the buy
crs have been most gratifying. One
large grower who has been in the
business for years stated that 1t was
the best seed he had ever used. AZ
a result of this service there has beer
a big demand for this seed this fall
and IL the service is carried on with
care and good judgment the marke,
price for first class seed potatoes will
warrant the business being conduct.
cd on a large scale and mean much
in profit to the farmers Of ARGOS.
took and to Maine.
The State Chamber Of Commefct
and Agricultural League were re.