Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-15
Tuesday, May Is, 1923.
AROOsTOOk'S FIGHT ON MID.
OLEMEN

DlEMEN
While realizing that combinations
to control products from producer to
consumer and regulate prices are sus-
ccptible to misuse the conviction that
middlemen's profits IRE often excess
sive is, we think, of deeper impress
sion and the desire to give the former
q fair trial in the matter Of distribu-
ton is increasing. In this mood the
public will wish to see the potato
growers Of Aroostook win out by
means of the Maine Potato Growers
Exchange.
The struggle which is now on in the
Aroostook country is Of no mean pro-
portions. II the growers have anoth-
er bad season it will be widespread
calamity. though under the CO.
operative movement there is
assurance of stronger support
from the banks, it is said,
and terms are offered the fertilizer
manufacturers which are expected to
afford some relief to the situation. On
the other hand those middlemen and
spectators, who have profited under
previous conditions, see in the sue
cess Of this cooperative movement the
end or serious curtailment of their eff
fcrts and are now seemingly disposed
to tight to a finish. Really this is not
surprising as it is quite proba bic
their apprehensions are not unfound-
ed. Likewise it is evident the grow
ers, should their enterprise fail, or at
least such Of them as might manage
t. survive the collapse, would prac-
tically be at the mercy of the middle
inen.
A limited number of level headed,
experienced business men, well ac-
quainted with each other and all the
conditions, are capable of putting up
q finish fight with chances in their
favor. They can stick together and
tight to the last ditch. They do not
permit petty jealousies to interfere.
are not cowed by apprehensions be-
cause they are capable at the outset
OF foreseeing what they are likely to
encounter. Increase this number
many times, include in membership
many who have not had opportunity
to understand all the conditions, who
are open to suspicion and cross-cur-
rents Of purpose and the organiza
finn hAnnn1nc Vroo
Such would seem to be the situa-
ton confronting the potato growers
In Aroostook. Moreover they are
aware that confronting them are the
middlemen fighting to save them
selves. Many of the best places for
storage are owned by these oppon-
ents Of the Exchange.
1t Is by no means certain the fer
tilizer manufacturers would not pre-
fer to see the old conditions continu-
ed. So it is easy to see that fight is
shaping up in the northern part of
Maine which Is likely to have a pro-
found effect on the future Of that re-
sion. The growers Of products. no.
tahly in California, have succeeded in
securing better distribution of their
products than they could under the
old system and in most instances the
consumers have not had to regret it.
It 10 highly probable that even should
the cooperative agencies secure the
power to squeeze the consumer they
would be less likely to do so than a
combine of middlemen. Moreover the
greater difficulties in the way of the
cooperative agency, the greater task
4 has to retain and make it's organic
alton effective should render it more
amenable to reason.
We do not think the farmers Of
Aroostook are planning to gouge the
consumers, rather to share in what
they believe are the unduly large
profits of the middlemen. In a recent
interview a member of the Exchange
declared: 1.-THE farmer is not gam
bier but a producer of essentials and
therefore a true wage Garner. There
doubtless are those inclined to doubt
whether the Aroostook farmer is al
together devoid of the speculative
tendency. Some incline to the view
he has occasionally brought about his
undoing by reason of this. But when
this same party further declared:
Potatoes have been purchased at a
little over a dollar a barre in Aroos-
look and sold for nine dollars in Bos-
ton and New York, he said some
thing which has become Of quite
common understanding. Anyone who
has undergone the experience Of
producing potatoes will surely incline
to the view that he is entitled to more
than one ninth Of what they sell for
In Boston, a few hundred miles away.
Feeling so about it they will wish to
see the Maine Potato Growers Elk
change have a chance to show what
It can do.