Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-16
FARMERS UNIONS
Continued from Page one)

eggs and apples. This has made it
possible for the Exchange to do some
real work along cooperative market
Ing lines which has long been felt to
be necessary. but for which no funds
were available.
The Exchange is also particularly
favored In that 1t has the hearty CO.
operative support Of the Department
OF Agriculture and Extension Ser
vice SO far as they are able to give II
in the organization work.
Real progress has been made in
the Maine Hay Growers Association
and very satisfactory start in the
organiZat ton OF the Maine Poultry
mems Association.
Il belive that the Exchange in tax =
ing an active part in the organization
OF these marketing associations Is do
ing real constructive work that APP
peals very strongly to the farmers of
Maine. 1t Is laying the best possible
foundation for the development of CO.
operative purchasing organizations
through which the feed can be bought
for the hens which produce these eggs
as we'll as for other farm stock in
localities not being served at this time
by local union or grange store"
PRESIDENT hamilton reports
President Benjamin P. Hamilton
in his report advocated an arrange
ment between the Exchange and the
unions so the Exchange would be
their sole buying agent, and he
recommended that the WATERFORD
grist mill machinery be equipped so
that its product would be second to
none.
THE Maine Farmers Exchange is
not union patronized," asserted Mr..
Hamilton. 'By this l mean the local
unions do not make the Exchange
their buying agent. When they want
car of grain they go cunning for it
in the open market. The Exchange
is put to all the burden of expense
that any jobbing house might be to
make similar sale to a customer
in whom they have no financial in
terest and who has no financial in
terest in them.
You own the Maine Farmers Ex-
change. You control it's management.
1t was organized to meet a need. 1t
has demonstrated is ability to serve
you and to save you money and yet
you have to be coaxed, cajoled and
urged to make purchases from 1t
when these purchases If made freely
and to the full extent of your need
would mean great prosperity for the
Exchange and put 1t in a position
to be of great financial assistance
to you.
'The Executive Board strongly
recommends and advises that agree
ments or contracts be made between
the Exchange on the one hand and
the local unions on the other which
shall make the Exchange the sole
purchasing agent for the local un-
ions"
Speakers of the Afternoon
Dean Leon S. Merrill of the Col
leSe of Agriculture of the University
OF Maine discussed the subject, GO
operative Marketing"
He pointed out that the impor-
lance OF cooperative marketing is
largely in the contro. of the distri-
button of products. Every product
has an advertising value and we
should all attempt to preserve its
advertising quality.
He showed that by cooperative
marketing members can prevent
gluts and famines in the markets, in
either of which the producer is al
ways the loser.
w. G. Hunton, industrial manager
of the Maine Central Railroad,
SpNdAiiiS vi new bullcS OF Maine
Farmers Exchange. said that he
believed the time is ripe when the
farmers are asking how they can
assist the agricultural interests of
the State and that he l:new there was
Il feeling that increased product
mean lower prices. but that he be-
lieved II an organization of this size
with the assistance it would get from
all other organizations in the State
should work for it. it could easily ex-
tend the markets of Maine products
c. w. White. chief of the bureau
of markets of the State Department
of Agriculture, declared that that
bureau would be glad to assist In
the details of organization and in
installing simple sets OF bookkeep-
ing.
The Value of Advertising to Co.
operative Organizations was the
subject discussed by Dudley Alleman
of Augusta, editor of the Maize Far
mer.
Announcement was made that the
directors of the Exchange will hold
a meeting next Tuesday at Portland
at which time they will elect a man.
ager for the ensuing year.