Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-22
The Paper Industry.

| III d TcCtIll tuilOlluI, lit bltIlS l.
| On. y Times advances some pretty
| forceful reasons why Bryan's stand il
favor of free pulp and paper would be
a very severe blow to heavily invested
Interestes employing many hundreds
of men in that section of the country
Inasmuch as the same practical con-
sideraticns which pertain to that sec
ton apply with equal force TO the con
ditions existing today in Kenncbec
county, we feel that the views rN-
pressed in this editorial will be also Of
| interest and value to our readers One
| OF the great interests of our State is
the pulp ard paper industry. IN fact,
EoXt to our agricultural interests,
NAL outcome was given for III" year
1900 in the last census at So l3:96,
the grea est material interest in Maine
is the allied lumber wood, pulp and
paper industry, whose annual output
!nr the same year was $26,712,6!6. AS
far back as 10 years ago these indus
tries which have increased very lar ge-
~ in the past Gccade-reached ar ag
gregate investment of $50 Alb 100 They
employed more than 25,0oo men with
wages agsregat;ng more than 100000.
61r and lad, as far back as thai time.
70. ,,i, i.ht in
this state. 1t is safe to say THAI the
number today is nearly, if not quite a
thousand. The county of Kennehec,
in common with other Maine count IS
is very largely interested in the sue
cess o. these great establishments
which employ so many men and put
50 much money into circulation ir The
community ana there cannot be a citi-
zen who gives this matter thoughtful
consideration who will not recognize
the fact that the avowed policy of the
Democratic party for free pulp and
prosperity of some of Names greatest
Industries and would result in throwing
now earning a livelihood in these indus
tries AS the Glens Falls Times well
says, the effect of putting into practical
operation the plank Of the Democratic
rational platform which demands
THE immediate repeal Of the Tariff on
wood pulp, print paper, lumber. timber
and logs. and that these articles be
placed upon the free list would be to
throw open the American market to
the foreign manufacturers of these
products. and we do not hesitate to
express the opinion that no more .irri
ial welfare of the State of Maine than
this. Not only would it affect the 25,
900 men engaged in these great allied
industries but it would mean hard
times also for the farmers and the
merchants who today have them for
customers. We think that our readers
will agree that the journal is not dis
GUESSING this matter from a selfish
standpoint for it is one of the largest
consumers Of paper in the state Of
Maine, but it clearly recognizes the
fact that whatever advantages free |
trade might bring about in the way OF
lower cost of paper would be vastly |
more thar offset in the harder times it
would force upon all classes If the |
community which it is privileged to |
serve and in which the allied lumber |
wood. pulp and paper interests constl- |
tute a very vital factor in the indus |
trial life and prosperity. No man who |
gets dollar from any one of these in
tiuatries should make the mistake of |
thereby endorsing the free trade policy |
v hich VIII put him and his fellow |
workers and the industry in which II, |
is employed into free competition
With similar Industries in foreign |
This is q matter that |
comes home to every man who |
has any interest. directly or indirectly. |
in maintaining the prosperity OF these
allied Industries, and he should see |
that his vote is registered in behalf nf
his own bread and butter rather than
for the purpose Of building mp the |
of the lumber wood, pulp |
and paper interests i'm Canada and for
aien Countries
of [ am ellctel pnNnrn0r Of Now