Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-12
Kennebec Pomona Grange


Kennebec Pomona held the largest
attended and one of the most enthu-
siastic meetings today with Gardiner
Grange that has been held for many
day. The weather was not all that
could be wished for, as it was a very
misty morning with all the prospects
of a rainy day, but for all that, near
ly ESQ patrons were present when the
gavel of Worthy Master Washburn
felEat 1890.
At the roll call of officers all re-
sponded but four and one of those
Brother Longley, the gate keeper, is
in hospital recovering from a seri-
GUS operation. The Grange voted
greetings to Brother Longley, send
ing him message of cheer and hop
ing for speedy recovery.
After the routine business was over
a class of 81 candidates was present
ed, which received the 9Th degree. At
IL o'clock all repaired to the Grand
Army hall, where Gardiner Grange
had prepared a most bountiful din
ner.
At ITO Worthy Master called the
grange to order again and placed the
| meeting in the hands of the Worthy
Lecturer. The first number on the
program was singing by the grange,
America the Beautiful" and "On-
ward Christian Soldiers" Senator
w. o. Cobb of the Maine Legislature
was introduced. He is chairman -
the committee on agriculture.
of what the Legislature is doing or
trying to do for the Agricultural in
terests of the State. He was followed
by Representative Downs of Rome,
who followed along the same line of
thought.
Then Representative Hinckley of
South Portland was introduced who
is chairman of special Legislative
committee to investigate the special
needs of the farmer. Among other
things Mr.. Hinckley said that Maine
was Commissioned to Death" that
is, every now and then some one
would want a commission appointed
to investigate some matter, that they
very seldom accomplished anything
and cost the State hundreds and hun
dreds of thousands of dollars every
year. He also referred to the fact
| that in his opinion the Highway Com
missioners were not working in the
interest of the farmers He is about
to introduce a bill authorizing the
State to assist the rural sections to
the extent of where two or three
towns wish to purchase a stone
crusher that the State pay one-half
of it. That, as the State has some
200 trucks, one or two be loaned the
rural towns for three or four weeks
free of charge. He also spoke of the
Medical School bill, suggesting that
If the Governor and Council could
have $4,000 to offer % young doctors
to go into the rural sections to prac-
tice their profession, it would accom-
plish more good than to establish the
Medical School. Many other matters
of much interest to the grange were
spoken of but space prevents mention
of all.
The next number was singing Bat
the Hymn of the Republic" by the
grange.
Then the lecturer introduced Broth
err Charles D. White of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. Mr.. White needs
no introduction to the members of
Kennebec Pomona. He has spoken to
us several times and is always well
come. Brother White has the fac
ulty of presenting any matter he
desires in just the right light, so sim
pie that anyone can understand it,
but at the same time impressing it
solidly on their minds. His subject
was the Farmers Union Of Maine"
Mr.. White explained very clearly that
while the Farmers Union of Maine
was in receivers hands, owing to
the conditions of readjustment which
exist all over the country, yet it had
accomplished much good for the
farmers. He compared the average
prices of dairy feeds in five of the
New England States which showed
that in Maine where we had the long
est haul by freight, yet owing to what
the Farmers Union of Maine had
done, the prices were the lowest. He
compared it to other business condi-
tions which showed plainly that it
should be continued for the farmers
interests.
Next number was vocal solo by
Sister Ring of Gardiner Grange, who
responded to encore.
Then followed two lively discus
sions in which many members took
part and it was voiced by one and all
that there had passed into history
one of the best and most lively meet