Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-14
Tn. Notable Work Of Senator Hale.

issue, a very interesting interview with
Major Herbert NJ Lord, relative to the
conspicuously able services performed
by Senator Hale in looking after
Names interests in the passage of
the present tariff law. No man in this
country is better qualified to speak
upon this matter than is Major Lord,
who is not only a tariff expert of
acknowledged ability, but also one who
was so situated as to be thoroughly
familiar, with every phase of the work
of formulating and passing the present
law.
1t will be recalled that Major Lord
was Chairman Dingleys chief clerk
when the tariff bill of 1897 was con-
sidered by the Ways and Means Com
mittee. So thoroughly did he make
himself the master of all the details
entering into that legislation, tina.
when the Ways and Means Committee
took up the work of formulating the
new tariff law at the recent
special session of Congress Chair
man Payne promptly secured the
services of Major Lord, and
he remained with the COMMITTEES
during the entire time that the tariff
bill was under consideration in both
branches of Congress. Whatever
Major Lord says therefore in connec-
ton with the recent tariff legislation Is
entitled to special weight The tribut :
he pays to Senator Hale for the able
work he did in looking after the in
terests of Maine at every stage of this
legislation is a merited one. AS the
Journal has many times pointed out
the interests of Maine were we'll looked
after in the tariff law of 1897. Nelson
Dingley, the great Chairman Of the
Ways and Means Committee at that
time was himself a Maine man, and he
saw to it that the great vital industries
of his State-the products of it's
forests, farms and factories-were
carefully safeguarded. Under the
Dingley law Maine prospered as
never before in its history, fact that
is strikingly shown by the notable
increase, during the period it was in
force, in the deposits in the Savings
banks, Trust Companies and Loan AMI
Building Associations, as we'll as by
the notable industrial expansion in
every section of the State. While the
passage of the years had brought
about changed conditions in few in
stances, the fact remained that, taken
as whole, any radical reductions in
the schedules affecting Maine, would
have been a serious blow to the Wei
fare and prosperity of our State.
The work done by Senator Hale was,
therefore, of the utmost importance,
and will not fail to be appreciated by
the people of Maine. Senator Hale
was peculiarly well situated to perform
this great service to his state. Not
only is he the acknowledged leader of
the Senate, but he was also favorably
placed in being a member of the con-
ference committee, which dealt with
the intricate questions of compromise
that always enter into tariff legislation
in it's final stages.
1t was fortunate for Maine, for New
England, and for the entire country,
that reductions in the tariff schedules
were made by the friends of protec-
ton, and not by the representatives Of
the free trade Democracy. otherwise
the outlook for industrial prosperity
would not be as bright as it is today,
and the spirit of confidence that now
prevades the business world would
not be in evidence. The country
will not soon forget the long
period of depression, and hard times
that followed the passage of the in
famous Wilson bill when last the
Democrats were in power in this
country. That condition of affairs
until President Mckinley
called Congress in special session to
deal with the situation at the begin
ming of his administration. The re-
suit was the repeal of the Wilson law
and the passage of the Dingley law
under which the country enjoyed one
of the most notable periods Of
in it's history.
1t is very largely due to the efforts
of Senator Hale that, the protection
accorded the great interests of our
State by the Dingley law, have been
so largely preserved to us in the new
law. The citizens of Maine have just
reason to feel proud of the commando
ing position he occupies in National
councils, and the substantial results
he was able to attain in safeguarding
the business interests of our State.
The Saving of Time.