Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-17
WOOL GROWERS NAVE
HAD PROSPEROUS YEAR
SHOWN BY REPORTS

w. J. Thompson. president, called
attention to the success that had at
tended the pooling of wool on the
part of the Maine Sheep and Wool
Growers Association, in opening the
annual meeting OF that association
yesterday forenoon at Augusta City
hall. MIR. Thompson, in summary
of the accomplishments of the or
ganization, since it's organization,
showed that, although the wool mar
kct was completely broken in 1920.
the association was able to pay to
its members. more than double the
market price at that time. Fifty
three thousand pounds were disposed
of in 1871, the association returning
to it's members better than "a cents
pound. over 100 percent above
average price of wool at the time.
He showed that this last year GS,-
! l43 pounds of wool had been or was
| being disposed Of. the price ranging
from is cents to 40 cents a pound.
This showed that even during ordi-
nary periods of depression, Maine
sheepmen. through this organization,
can secure satisfactory prices.
| The officers of the association
We're unanimously re-elccted: w. j.
| thompson, China. president; DR.. L.
). Cleaves. Bar Harbor. vice presi-
dent; w. y. Kendall. Bowdoinham,
| treasurer; G. H. Crawford, Augusta,
secretary and manager. Mr.. Craw-
| lord also was reelected a member
of the Board Of Directors for the
| five-year term. The president was
| instructed to procure a blanket bond
for the officers of the association.
| A revival of the wool growing in
dustry was indicated by Mr.. Craw-
| ford in his report. although he stated
| that the number of sheep was di-
ninished considerably during the
| past two years. Ravages of dogs as
reported by Sheepmen show the need
OF strict enforcement of the present
| dog-law. He reported the total bus
! mess of the association as SIS, 1SO. SO
| for l922 and with this healthy
| growth in three years has grown Il
steadily increasing demand for the
products and many requests for
| memberships are being received.
Thirteen new local branches We're Or
ganized during the year. making 40
locals with a total membership OF
52S.
Mr.. Kendall's financial report
showed a net gain of about $4,000
ties had been met. MIR. Kendall in
outlining the benefits of the associa-
ton. declared the members gain in
the increased price paid for wool
and the opportunity of getting fin
ished goods of high quality at q
low price. He thought the associa-
ton should adopt some plan of put
ting these facts before the public
generally.
1t was voted to hold another meet
ing in a short time to amend by
laws so that capital stock could be
increased as the secretary stated that
owing to the lack of funds, it was
impossible to have the necessary
manufacturing done at the most eco
nomical time and so the directors
were forced to accept more financial
responsibility than even the mem
bers wished them to.
DR.. Clcaves and u. w. Ellis of
Fairfield told of the possibilities of
the association and OF the increasing
demand for virgin wool. The at
tendance was small as a large per-
centage of the members lived long
distances from Augusta and the
storms had kent many at home who
otherwise would have been present.