Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-15
DON'T LIKE 1T.
Fishermen Dissatisfied With the Pro
posed Hay Bond Treaty.

Rockiand. Me-, Dec. Thames Dom
of Vinalhaven, Thomas Nickerson of
Bucksport. Fish Commissioner A. r.
Nickerson of Boothbay Harbor, and
probably several Portland fish dealers
will go to Washington, Monday, anC
will be present ut the hearing on the
HayBond treaty which will come up.
Wednesday. before the Senate commit
tee on foreign relations. The Opposi-
ton to the ratification of this treaty
is very strong all along the coast.
James Donohue gave the following
interview.
THE Hay Bond Newfoundland
treaty is great menace to the fishing
industry of the New England states.
The people engaged in these fisheries
are. ami have been for number of
years, using every effort to build up
this industry with large OUTLAWS OF
money, building and fitting vessels es
peciaIly for this hazardous business;
Notwithstanding the prices paid to
American fishermen the past two years.
the average earnings per man. accord
IS about $3.50 per year. which is a very
small return for the labor, hardShips
and privationS endured.
IF any legislation is passed that
would decrease their earnings. it would
be impossible to get men to man the
vessels, which would be laid by to rot
at their moorings as they are class
of vessels that are not adapted to any
other branch of business.
1.-THE natural condition Of things
around Newfoundland is entirely differ
ent. Fish are more abundant and the
location of the fishing grounds is at
their very doors The inhabitants are a
class of hardy people. who get an ex-
istence where an American fisherman
would starve, and their cooperative
system of doing business puts the
American dealer at a disadvantage at
all times.
The American dealer pays for the
fish when landed. but the Newfound-
land dealer makes no price with the
fishermen until the fish are cured and
sold.
st. Johns newspapers indicate that
| the fish catch has been so large this
| fall that the dealers have been shipping
| to Europe and blocking markets. Half
cash and half goods are the terms on
which fish have been bought by the
wfoundland dealers, and one cargo
| sold at the rilir ulous price of 81 pei
| quintal.
This is the condition which con
fronts this country. If the Hay-Bond
treaty is ratified it will practically ruin
one of New Englands most important
industries. throwing out OF employment
| thousands of men now engaged III
catching fish, together with an army
of men and women engaged in the
SHINING and packing lofts.
I'VE get in return for this great sac
rifice. the privilege of sending to New
foundand perhaps a score of articles
| which are not manufactured or pro-
duced there. and which would have t'
be bought elsewhere.
when it comes to beef, pork anc
nork products. Indian meal. oatmeal
etc. articles which they do produce
we find a duty tackled onto every on'
I'm order to protect home industries.
That's Republican doctrine. and
don't believe our senators will allow
themselves to be beaten at their owl
plan.
The delegation of Maine dealers Il
eo-operating in this matter with tn
Gloucester Board of Trade. and Pres
Jordan Of that organization is urgin:
ell interested parties to be present n
| tho hearing.