The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-03-22
MAINE POTATO MEN ORGANIZE

MAINE fOIAIO MIN OAsOA1NA<<l
HOULTON, Me.-The potato grow
ers of Aroostook have won their
fight for the organization and stap-
ilization of their industry. The
Maine Potato Growers Exchange
comprising 2150 growers, now con-
trolls $4,000 acres Of the best potato
land in Aroostook county, the heav-
lest producing section of the United
States. This is now the largest
potato selling organization in the
country. The Maine Potato Growers
Exchange, after four months of the
most strenuous campaigning in the
history of cooperative organizations,
is reality.
In spite of terrific opposition, due
to the fact that Aroostook county is
honeycombed with dealers, brokers,
buyers, car-lot spectators, COM
mission men, consignees, distribu-
tors, peddlers and others who have
increased distribution costs to the
consumer without increasing the
value of the dollar to the producer,
the determined and aroused growers
of Aroostook, Penobscot, and
Piscatiquis counties, under the
leadership of the general executive
organization committee, have at
tanned their desire, cooperative
marketing.
The last three days have seen
real landslide in contracts, each dis
trict working hard to win first honors
for the greatest percentage of acre
age signed up. At the rate at which
contracts are now coming in, 1t Is
impossible to decide which district
has accomplished the best work. In
certain districts no growers are left
to sign up. In other districts the
organization committees are waiting
for the men to return from the woods
In order to sign them up. Contracts
are being signed ct banks, mer-
chants stores, farmers exchanges
and on the street corners. Canvass
ing crews are still securing the
roads and calling personally on each
grower.
After 65, 900 Acres
The executive general organiza-
ton committee has now definitely de-
cided to 20 after $1,000 acres and
from all indications, this figure will
be reached by the time the exchange
ID ready to incorporate. At least
thirty-five districts will comprise the
exchange. The temporary and arbi-
.rary present districts will be redis- |
.ricted- by loading points and ship
ping stations, so as to make the mat |
.er Of loading and shipping most
to all members. Some OF
he districts will be consolidated
where present shipping facilities de-
nand such consolidation.
District meetings are being held
n many sections of the territory
lnder the direction Of E. w. Morton,
chairman Of the committee on
peAkers and meetings. From every
ection and from all of the scheduled
meetings. have come reports indicat-
ng that growers are signing up even
aster than was first anticipated.
Among those who are participating
q the larger meetings are B. w. Nor
on, G. Herbert Foss, Ray Hughes,
Harvey McGlaufiin, Hugh Murphy.
George Findelen, Henry Lamcresu,
T. H. Page, Joe Raymond, and A. w.
;paulding.
The most encouraging and CRAFTY
ng communication received so far
rom the fertilizer companies, came
ecently from H. C. Humphrey, sec
etary of the Armour Fertilizer
Works, Chicago, In reply to Walton
'eteet director of cooperative mar
citing for the American Farm
bureau Federation, with a million
nd a half members. Mr.. Peteet con-
erred with officials Of the Armour
,rtilizer works in behalf of the
[aine Potato Growers Exchange, Mr..
letter follows:
VIII Not Discriminate
Under date of February 9 we in &
,rmed your Mr.. A. Craven of your
roostook county, Me-, organization,
lat we would not consider for q
oment discriminating against any '
towers who joined the association.
e have large amount owing to US I
7 Maine farmers and are naturally [
favor of any plan that will help
70 Maine farmers. 1t will be our b
,licy to supply Maine farmers, who b
q entitled to credit, with fertilizers
r the 1923 crops. n
We assume the Maine Potato
rowers Exchange will be in a posi- IL
IN to define its organization and 81
faculties for handling the crop be- p
re the crop natures for harvest,
d upon receipt of full information q
regard to its organization and t.
cilities for handling the crop, we P
II be in . position to make an in G
lligent and definite decision in re- pl
I'd to the marketing of potatoes b,
at will accrue to US under crop la
ms. re
Right along this line the exchange m
that 1t 10 being repre- CT
1ted in q conference in New York
IN fha laad{n1 farf{1{zar rom | q '