The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-07-07
Statement by Sweet Corn Growers
Executive Committee

Auburn. Me, June 15.-The execu-
tive committee of the Maine Sweet
Corn Growers Association met Tues
day afternoon at the rooms of the Au-
burn Chamber of Commerce. H. c.
BuZZell of Fryeburg George E. Mer
rill of Gray, Charles f. Trip of Can
ton Point and Charles Fl. Crawford of
Augusta being present. Several mat
tiers of interest to the association were
discussed but the principal item of
business was the preparation of a
statement on the sweet corn situation
and the controversy between the
growers and the packers. The follow
ing was issued by the executive COM
mittee:
"In viewing the aftermath of the
controversy over the sweet corn in
dustry of Maine. it would be we'll for
the growers and public to view some
of the results which show and will be
more in evidence in the future. 1t is
very much regretted that the outcome
of the situation has caused the prac-
teal standstill of the industry. All
this could have been avoided had the
packers been willing to arbitrate the
matter with the executive committee
of the Growers Association. but the
plain fact was that they thought by
taking their contract to individual
farmers they could dictate their price
in the old-fashioned way and at the
same time, smash the Growers Asso-
citation. The mistake is theirs and
upon the packer does the blow fall
most heavily. The oldfashioned farm
err is practically of the past. The or
eanized farmer is here with educa
ton, experience, State aid and Nation
al endorsement.
Mr.. Bakers article in the public |
press has been most vigorously an
swered by the farmers themselves,
and while the farmers at once resent /
ed Il as an attack upon them, the pub
lie generally probably took ii as an
attack on the secretary, Mr. Crawford. |
Mr.. Crawford Is the paid secretary |
and treasurer of the association, and
while he has shown great interest and
ability in working for the association, |
we wish TO state that there has been
no definite action taken by him, no
called, no articles gwen to
the press, except by orders or APP
prevail by the State Executive Com
mittee And this committee is direct
ed and controlled by the president and !
vice president of each county associ- !
atom so that Mr. Crawford was
merely executing the orders of 1000
farmers.
"Mr. Baxter says Mr. Crawford is
leading the farmers in unfamiliar
paths. He means the farmers are go
ing into unfamiliar paths. We fear
that the packers will realize this in |
1922 to their regret. The farmers
now realize as never before the |
of effort, time, energy and
money he was putting into his sweet
corn business in order as one packer
said "To have a little spending mon
ely in the fall" 1t is surprising how
readily the farmer is adapting him |
self to other lines, and another year
when the packer, who let his bust |
ness go by for a difference of about |
1-3 of a cent on can, will learn that
instead of the farmers getting dimin |
ished returns to get the business back, |
as Mr.. Baxter says, the packers will
have to make attractive concessions
in order to find the farmer who for
merly took their fixed prices which !
gave them their fat returns. Mr., BaX-
ter's $1,000 pounds to the acre" is all
right to dangle in the public eve. but
it does not appeal to the experienced |
The challenge for any pack |
er to give his sworn average number |
of pounds per acre for five or three !
years, has never been accepted.
Instead of pulling apart. why not
get together and work for our mutual
welfare and the interest of our State?
We are all red-blooded Americans"
(SignedD H. A. PLUMMER,
r. c. BUZZELL.
GEORGE f. MERRILL,
q T. TRIpp