Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-06-14
Leaders of Note
In New England
Start Boom Plans

Burlington, VT, June 12-lP)-The
New England council closed its first
working meeting" today with a
fairly thorough idea of what ails
New England, and with number or
suggestions offered for improvement
to industry and agriculture. Further
than that a definite program for i'm
provement along many lines has been
laid down, and work is in progress tt
formulate such a program in other
industries.
1t was no booster" spirit in which
these representative business men of
the six northern states met to dis
cuss the problems. Rather it was a
frank airing of the weak points in
the New England structure and OF
methods that would make these
weak points strong. Throughout the
meeting there was not single ef-
fort to dodge an unpleasant eco
nomic fact, or to add optimism to Il
pessimistic picture of business. a
very definite effort was noticeable.
however, to find ways by which the
picture could be made more optimis-
tic.
Among the movements started by
the council was one which will call
together the agricultural commits
sioners of the six states with the as-
ricultural committee of the council in
an effort to bring about a standard
ization of farm products, and to ef-
feet efficient methods of marketing
In addition, the agricultural commit
tee will meet with the presidents of
New England agricultural colleges TO
offer practical suggestions by which
In far ms ppH11nt and
Monies can be improved. This lat
ter course is in line with the declara-
ton that New England can never
save herself unless New England
youths stay here and develop the
farms on which they are born.
The council also voted to cooper
ate with the department of commerce
in Washington in it's plans for con-
industry, and to call meetings of
manufacturers in all industrial cen
ters to help accomplish that purpose.
Appreciation also was expressed to
the department for its survey of New
England business now going on,
largely in conjunction with the coun-
ellis research committee.
In this connection Sanford z.
for this committee, declared coop
Grafton among the manufacturers
and retailers was essential. In many
plants visited throughout the coun-
try, he said, research engineers found
three attitudes of mind. The first
was antagonism; the second. we're
glad TO see you, but We don't Think
it will do any good" and the third.
a spirit of CO-operatiOn.
1--WE found more of the latter spir-
it of cooperation in the west than
we have in New England" said Mr..
Thompson.
Department Of commerce men will
visit every section of New England
in their survey, and cooperation
with them was asked.
The council also has outlined plans
to aid in bringing about the refores-
tation of New England land. and its
executive committee had placed be-
fore it today request that it study
the effect the abandonment of rail-
road lines, which to some extent has
been done. would have on business.
Chris Matthews. Portsmouth. n. H.,
banker, introduced the question, as
sorting that the railroads were gain
ing and diverting freight to tax
maintained highways that already
were overcrowded with motor traf-
fic. John S. Lawrence. president of
the council, said the question was
one of vast Importance and one that
would require long and earnest
study.
Foreign trade was another subject
touched on at the concluding session,
and the council went on record as
approving the efforts of the New
England Export club, which recently
met in Boston, to stimulate market
ing of products in foreign lands.
The council was asked today to use
its influence to prevent the abandon
ment of railroad lines in New Eng
land. with particular reference to a
proposal by the Boston e Maine to
do away with a line between Ports
mouth, n. H., and North Berwick,
Me.
The council decided to hold the
next meeting at the White Mountain
Hotel, at Breton Woods, n. H.,
Sept. "a and Is. The full meeting of
the New England conference. of
which the council of az members is a
part, will be held at Hartford in the
third week of November.