Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-22
HOW UNDERSTAND?
FARM and THE MILL
CLOSELY RELATED !
Especial to the Kennebec JournaD

Maine before the National Industrial
Association here today:
sHaving been active" said Mr..
Thompson, "for many years In the old
est and largest farmers organization
in the country, the National and State
Grange, and being identified with
| many other farm organizations. l am
| more than pleased to have this op-
| portunity to meet so many represent
atives from other industries, and to
state a few simple reasons why we
should meet oftener and why there
| should be Better Understanding
Between Industry and Agriculture"
"A national agricultural association,
| If such an organization could be
| formed, would be much like your Ma
| tional Industrial Council, made up of
widely divergent interests. many times
seeming to be even antagonistic to
| each other, ut least so far as profits
| Of each are concerned.
"An agricultural program that
would give higher priced wheat and
corn, would put the dairyman and
poultry raiser Of the east who have to
buy these products, to a disadvantage.
| In the same manner. low freight rates
| from the west to the east on certain
| farm products. while benefiting one
group of farmers, may put others out
| of business.
THE mills are looking for low
| priced machinery, while the foundry
mems profits are made by high price
| for the same machinery. Everybody is
| benefited by low priced coal. except the
coal operators. The riddle of the
| modern sphinx Is, how can we have
| low freight rates and prosperous rail-
| roads.
1.-THE various groups OF agricultural
activities are just as widely separated
| In their personal interests as are the
| various groups of manufacturers. We
| have formed National associations of
| farmers, with purposes much larger
| than the direct personal interest of
| the individual making the group. just
as you have formed this association of
| National Industrial Council.
But why should not agriculture and
transportation be represented in this
| council, or in some council, that
| better understanding may be had.
1.-THE cotton manufacturer certain
| " has the same, relation to the man
| from whom he buys his cotton as to
| the one from whom he buys his ma
| chinery In the past he looked upon
| them both as his business enemies,
| who were holding him up for high
| prices which they both wanted, but
| he has learned that If they are evils,
| they are necessary evils and he had
| better find out how to best endure
| them. He can only do that by making
| friends of them and adjusting differ
| ences with some semblance of Justice.
| Industry and agriculture have long
| been at variance with transports ton,
/ H.,
| and said, at least IN theory, You
| must not quarrel with transportation,
| for it Is necessary and must be kept
| going and prosperous at any cost
1.-THE public have recognized certain
| industries as natural monopolies that
| are essential to it's own welfare and
have called them public utilities and
| have partially regulated the conduct OF
| such industries. IT Is unfortunate
| that this step had to be taken, for 1t
| show. ID either mistrust on the part of
| the public, or misconduct on that of
| the utility.
THE Sherman antitrust law was
| passed to prevent other essential in
| dustries from becoming monopolies by
artificial means, but monopolies just
| the same.
| There Is no reason why any essen
|
| ssentiaD, that becomes monopoly
| should not be treated as a public utili
| ty, which is condition that we all
| hope to escape.
| what are some Of the common IN
| terests between industry and agricul-
| ture?
| 1. Service, that we may make the
country better for ourselves and our
neighbors to live in.
| 2. Confidence, which comes through
| wider acquaintance and better under
| standing.
3. Interest in public affairs which
eventually affects all business.
| I. Friendship, on which all busi-
| ness should rest.
| 1.-THE farmer forms a large part of
that silent jury that finally hears and
| settles most industrial disputes, for
public opinion is the judge in the
! court of last appeal.
| THE present labor trouble in Eng
| land will finally be settled, not by in
| dustry, nor by labor, but by public
| opinion. Much would be saved If this
| opinion could be formed in advance of
the trouble, and this council, by join
i ing with others, can do much to shape
such advanced Judgment.
THE world has been ruled, in turn,
| by priests, by soldiers. by rings
and now 1t Is threatened by blocs,
Why should not the industrial men
and farmers take more active inter-
| est in public affairs. which will finally
| make or break our individual business.
I'm the State of Maine for several
| years the industrial association in
| vites some Of the leading farmers to
| attend their meetings and to take part
in the discussions. and leading indus
| trial men are asked to address farm
| groups, thus creating a better under
| standing and more sympathetic feel
| ing between industry and agriculture.
THE farmer feeds you and your
| worimen, he furnishes a large part
| Of your raw material, he buys your
| goods, he furnishes raw recruits that
! largely become your foremen, your
| managers and the heads of your con-
Germs. You yourselves are not far re-
| moved from the farm.
| by meeting together, by talking to-
| gether and by acting together in mat
| ters of a common interest, we de-
| velop not only a better understanding,
| but a better friendship"