Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-02

way money could be made the nucleus Of
! Il financial plan. which the standard
considers feasible. and which would
guarantee system Of trunk line high
ways, so vitality necessary II Vermont
is TO keep pace with her sister states
in material progress and development
TIE GRANGE AND THE TARIFF.
N'rom me Montpelier Journal)
The attitude Of the National Grange
on public questions is of more than or
binary interest because that organization
represents the great agricultural indus
try of the United states class re-
presenting. as a rule. the best Thought
OF the nation, not easily led astray by
any financial or governmental herieies
In view Of this fact that part Of the an
nual address OF ex-C;ov. ~ j. Batche'-
der of New Hampshire, the Nationai
Master at the recent convention. which
dealt with the tariff, IL very significant.
He said:
1.-THE present national admInistra ton
having been elected on platform de-
clarins for revision OF the tariff. IT
was naturally expected that the special
, session OF Congress called TO deal with
this subject would proceed Ia enact
measure consistcnt with that PLATFORM
which held in substance that the proper
basis Of protection should he the differ-
cnce between the cost OF labor In this
and foreign countries. with allowance FOR
n reasonable profit to Our manufactur-
ers
"rhe Payne tariff bill as passed by
! the House AMI amended BY the Senate
shows an entire disregard of this prin
oiple ard the debates in Congress give
no evidence that It was considered In
preparing the various schedules The re-
suit has been that instead OF a scientific
tariff. constructed with view to secur-
ing the largest possible revenue consist
ent with fair protection to our agricui-
tural and manufacturing industries the
new tariff ~ In all essential features
similar to the Dinsley law The principle
endorsed by the Grange, that the duties
on manufactured articles sold IN foreign
markets at lower prices than arc charged
to domestic consumers should be reduced
was totally ignored ns was also the dues-
ton Of the relations Of the tariff to the
great Industrial combinations ]. is clear
that tho consumers OF the country. OF
whom the farmers constitute the LARGEST
class believe tho new tariff to be unsat-
isfactory, and that 1t serves to snow INC
necessity for permanent tariff COM
mission which will carefully investigate
, all conditions relatin to the subject.
and recommend such changes as may be
necessary In the interests OF the people
as whole
This docs not lool, as though the tariff
question was settled. The attitude Of the
"1nsuraent" senators from the great
States of the Middle West shows that
that section of the country Is not salts
fled With the Payne bill. Evidently more
fighting may he expected along this line.
NOT so. BIT OUGHT To BE.
O-rcm the New England TarmerD
The vergenncs vermonter has the cor
rect idea concerning the rights and du-
ties of milk producers. but II is decidedly
weak on facts. II says:
with the announcement that the price
of milk in New York and Brooklyn has
been raised to nine cents per quart at
retail comes the report that it is the
farmers who IRE responsible. They are
certainly not getting half that for their
milk here in Vermont. The farmers Of
the Champlain valley should do Just
|
have dons-forrn an association Of milk
producers and fix tho price that they
shall get for their milk. When the dairy
mems association meets in Burlington
next January the farmers should be
ready to organize. Remember that in
union there is strength. The milk pro-
ducers of Massachusetts have made the
milk companies pay them n fair price
/ 81, . 70
is good in this. Organize. Do it now"
| 1t Is true that the retail price Of milk
has been raised in many Of the cities. but
We 10 not think the producers are re-
! sponsble for the raise or ere getting
much, II any OF the increase. although
the reasons given for the rase-dry pas
! lures a short hay crop, heh-priced feed.
etc.-are such ~ primarily affect the
| mon who keen the cows which furnish
the milk supply
| " Ia true that there is in Mas.achu-
setts an association Of milk producers
whose object IL to advance the interests Of
the producers. secure better price. and
avert injustice and hardship in the way
Of ill-advised Legislation. etc: but the
Officers OF this company have all along
been Handicapped for want of support
! IL
them to secure the necessary funds TO
keep the organization alive. Yet even in
this enfeebled condition the company has
done much 20 help the producers. We
cannot agree with the Nermonter how
ever, in saying that the orSa IMITATION has
made the milk companies pay them a
| fair price for their milk" With the pro-
per support TO which in all common sense
1t was entitled. It might have done so
| but the milk contra ctors well understand
the nature Of its composition. the
amount Of it's backbone and the quality
Of It's muscle, and we do not believe they
have ever trembled at it's approach
No: We would not point 10 the milk
producers Of Massachusetts as shining
example for Vermont farmers 10 emulate
The Massachusctt. men have IN impulse
In the right direction. but il has thus fat
bsen too weak to amount to very mueh'
An impulse born in the brain must DC
veiop In the hear, snd even extend 10
he rocketbook before It will be large
| enough to so ont into the world and mas
ter or even influence conditions.
Let Vermont milk producers organize
ny all means, but not with sef'sh,
suspicious. narrow spirit. sraspins yet
withholding. Let them 90 into II. once
certain OF its purposes and principles,
with heart and soul willing to give
| generously, each his proper measure OF
| money and effort to secure that COM
munity prosperity and privilege which so
ahundantlv hiesses each man who shares
in 1t. Why can't the farmers see that mo
man livcth to himself
NOT so RAD