Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-02
LEADING INDUSTRIES
Present Claims to the Com
missioners at Quebec.
Lumber, Fisheries and Pulp Paper
Make Strong Arguments


Quebec. Sept. lit has been the bus
lest and most important day so far In
the Quebec conference. During the
forenoon the representatives of four
leading interests of the United States
was heard by the United States COM
mjssioners and at r. NJ, the joint
session began and lasted until late In
the evening.
The three important industries which
were heard, this morning. were the
lumber industry, the New England
fisheries and the pulp paper industry.
The men representing these industries
all talked for the same thing. viz:
That the present duties affecting their
respective Industries be not changed.
They asked the American commits
sioners not to enter into any agree
menf with the Canadian government
whereby their own lines of trade would
be disturbed
The Boston Chamber Of Commerce
also was given a hearing before the
American commissions. They asked
for modification of the trade reia-
tions with Canada and that relations
near to absolute reciprocity as posi-
bic be secured.
After the hearing one of the Boston
men said:
What we desire is chance to sell
our manufactured goods to the Cana
dian market. We believe in asking
this Of the Quebec conference We are
speaking the sentiments of 10000 work.
ingmen along the Canadian border Of
the United States. In Massachusetts
aIa IN, .,f
goods each year. and we want a mar
ket for these goods. We do not fear
competition for We have the greater
wealth and facilities on our side"
The manufacturers of the New Eng
land states were particularly desirious
Of getting their goods into Novia Scotia
and eastern Canadian markets. But
these were the only representatives
from the United States who asked for
general reciprocal relations.
The Gloucester fishermen desired the
law governing their industry to re-
main unchanged. Their representative
said they could not afford to do away
with the present duty on Canadian fish
for the privilege of free entry into
the New Foundland waters for bait.
TO establish free trade in the Atlantic
fisheries now" he said, would mean
the certain transferring of the Ameri-
can fishing industry to the Canadian
borders
The United States lumber industry,
represented by Smith S. Randall of
Augusta, Maine, Charles w. Good
year of Buffalo. and S. T. Mcknight of
Minneapolis, asked for the same ac-
ton on the part of the conference. The
present duties imposed upon Canadian
lumber should remain. To remove the
duties would well nigh destroy the in
dustry in the United States and to
lower them would mean serious injury
to the American interests.
Hon. Warner Miller, representing the
pulp paper interests, made a similar
argument. He asked that the tariff
on pulp and paper remain as now fixed.
The American commissioners listen
ed to the arguments as presented but
gave no intimation as to what action
would be taken concerning any of the
subject by the joint commission.
1t is said that in the joint session,
today, the Alaskan boundary question
has continued to be the subject of dis
cuSSion.
The attitude of the delegations who
have appeared here in opposition to
any steps in the way of reciprocity
cause some of the Canadians to pre-
dict that the commissioners would be
unable to accomplish all they nave
undertaken TO do.
They say that Canada wants recipro-
city above all things and that the
United States does not desire this, but
merely wishes to adjust few trouble
some questions, leaving the general
trade relations as they are.
None of the commissioners will talk
upon this point