The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-08-04
THE BRADSTREETS FOR HARRISON.
Their Great Lumber interests
Threatened by the mills Bill.
Democratic isIation!vIewed from
a BUSINESS Standpoint
BY Men who Have Always Voted the
Democratic Ticket.
Especial to the press.l

AUGUSTA. Aug. 3.-The removal Of the
tariff on lumber as proposed by the Mills
bill is creating much CONSERVATION and dis
turbance among the Democratic voters inter-
ested in the great lumber interests of the
State. The Bradstreet brothers. F.T.and J.S.
Bradstreet, of Gardiner, do business under
the firm name of the Bradstreet Lumber
Company, and are among the most extensive
and enterprising lumber manufacturers on
the Kennebec river. Their mill is one of the
biggest and best appointed in the country
and is located at South Gardiner. where they
employ over 100 men. Their annual output
of manufactured lumber is 100000 feet.
AT the headwaters of the river, they own
large tracts Of timber lands where they en-
ploy winters $50 men and 60 horses in log
ging operations. Both the brothers have al
ways been staunch Democrats and voted the
Democratic ticket. This forenoon Mr.. F. T.
Bradstreet was found by your correspon d.
ent sitting on a pile of lumber at his wharf.
in South Gardiner, while his men were busy
loading a trim schooner which was tied up
at the dock.
'1 understand" queried the reporter,
shat You are opposed to the removal of the
tariff from lumber"
81 am emphatically, and so is my brothe.
er."
"Why?"
"There is no question but that it would
have disastrou effect on our business and
the great lumber industry of the State. We
are not politicians but business men and we
take this stand simply as a matter Of policy.
We are not foolish enough to bite off our
own noses. Take the duty off Of lumber and
it hits us squarely in the face"
what is your situation as compared with
that of the Provincial lumbermen?"
Il think the duty about evens matters up
They can manufacture lumber much cheaper
over the line than we can, for labor and sup
plies cost much less there. Why, the Demo-
Gratis would have us pay a big duty on
horses and oats and strike off all protection
on lumber"
How shall you vote?"
"We have always voted the Democratic
ticket. 1 shall certainly vote for Harrison
and Morton and so will my brother. The
Republicans, however, must do something
to remove the surplus and prevent a tight
money market"
"How will this Democratic attack on lum-
Der protection affect your employes?"
"Our men have got it into their heads that
they don't want the tariff off lumber, and
you won't find any of them who advocate it.
Manufactured lumber represents about nine
tenths labor, and it is a question of vital i'm
portance to them. Many of them who have
voted the Democratic ticket have got their
eyes opened on this free trade issue, and will
vote in accordance with their convictions"
'How much will the abolition of the tariff
ON lumber affect wages?"
.''It will reduce them 20 per cent, just about
Men who are now receiving $40 month win
get only $16."
"Are your men discussing the tariff ques-
tion much?"
"Yes; especially the intelligent ones. l
hear good deal of talk in opposition to the
Mills bill. They come to me and ask what
shall do if the bill passes. tell them they
will be out of job or must accept greatly
reduced wages"
''What do you think the effect of the tariff
issue will be on Democratic prospects,"
"They have gone too far; they are in hard
shedding. 1t will cost them the election,
that's my opinion"