The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-02-17
PROTEST AGAINST
MAIL RATE BOOST
PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
CRITICIZE ATTEMPT TO
MAKE NEWSPAPERS
PAY MORE POST
AGE,

Washington. Feb, 16.--That freedom
of the press is still dear to the hearts
of all Americans is evidenced by tho
thousands Of protests against the pro-
posed increase In second class mail
rates. These protests are coming In
from all directions even from far off
and isolated Alaska. Every member
OF congress is being showed under by
them. The mail Of North Dakota
members OF congress is pretty much
all criticism of the attempt to make
newspaper publishers and period
icals pay more postage.
Senator McCumber believes that the
entire movement to raise second class
rates can be traced to a coterie Of men
who have been exposed by the milit-
ant newspapers and periodicals of the
country.
| The protests, however, are voiced by
| the average citizen I'm the ordinary
walks of. life which is sufficient indi-
cation that they represent the thought
of the masses of tho people Farmers,
laboring men, professional men and
business men are alike aroused by
the danger that turks in legislation
[ that might have the effect TO throw
many publications on the financial
rocks and tend toward the conccnTa-
ton of the publication business in con-
Germs that have the backing Of the so
called "capitallstic interests"
N. o. Delegation Pat.
| The apprehension which exists has
| found a responsive chord in congress
and if the proposition to advance the
rates ever had a chance in congress
that time has passed and the Nordl
Dakota delegation can be depended
upon to vote solidly against the in
crease
Indeed. among members of the North
Dakota delegation there never has been
any sentiment I'm favor of placing adj
ditional burdens on the publication
of daily or weekly newspapers and
magazines. The plea that the increase
of rates is necessary TO wipe out the
postal deficit has not made hit with
the congressman who believe that the
railroad companies are receiving eXor-
bitant pay for carrying the mails and
that the express companies are being
permitted to infringe upon the govern.
ments rights in handling mail below
the first class in a way that absorb'
the profits which should go to wipe
out the deficit.
tt would be an easy matter, North
Dakota members think, to enact rem
: edial legislation that would take care
of the deficit without advancing 2nC
} class matter.
Trusts Behind Move.
Nor do members of congress gener
ally believe that 1t is a fantastic dream
that the capitalistic interests max
: be reaching out TO control the press
, Of the country. While it is not sus'
> ceptible Of positive proof there is &
growing and somewhat general belle
that il has a substantial foundation
n in fact
= public policy demands" said Rep
!. resentative Hanna that information
!, Ishould be made as cheap as possible
. The effort now being made to rails
. second class rates largely eminate
! from the trusts and other big Corpor
a Eations who do not want the light G
publicity to shine in OH their affair."
n If it succeeds the little periodicals wi
. be crowded out and fear that the tim
will come when the avenues of publi
CITY in this country will be controlle
h by a gigantic combination with on
!. ]. Pierpont Morgan at its head. TIL
little home paper Is one of the bull
warks Of this nation and any legisla
ton that would put unnecessary bur
= dens and restrictions on its publica
" ton and circulation would be essen
:, TALLY bad'.