Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-06
PUBLIC CANADIAN REC|PROC-
ITY HEARINGS CONCLUDED
Sec. Root Is Asked to Explain if His Amend
ment Is Agreeable to Commissioners OF
Both Countries-=Herman Ridder
and M. E. Stone Heard.
RECIPROCITY HEARING.


Washington. June 5.-Public hearings
on the Canadian reciprocity bill were
concluded by the Senate finance COM
mittee today. Representatives of the
American Newspaper Publishers Asso-
citation and the The Associated Press
We're the last to appear before the
committee.
At the request of Senator Bailey,
Secretary of State Knox has been
asked to explain to the committee, to-
morrow, whether the Root amendment
to the paper section of the bill pro-
viding that it shall lot be in force un-
til the President is satisfied and has
issued a proclamation to the effect that
paper and wood pulp are being admit
ted free into all the provinces of Can
ada, is in full accord with the agree
ment as understood by the commits
sioners of both countries who prepared
the treaty. On Wednesday the COM
mittee will take up the bill in exeeu-
tive session to discuss committee ae-
ton.
Herman Ridder. until recently pres
dent of the American Newspaper Pub
fishers Association, and Melville E.
Stone. general manager of The As
ISOLATED Press, testified today in an
swer to queries by various senators
that in their opinion no effort was
mace by the newspapers of the eoun-
try to present only one side of the
reciprocity argument. to color their re-
ports on the question or to suppress
any facts which were of news value.
Bruce Haldeman, president of the Pub
fishers Association and Frank B.
Moves. president of The Associated
Press, also appeared.
The chief interest which the news
papers of the country have had in the
matter. Mr.. Ridder told the commit
tee, is to free themselves from the
paper manufacturers trust. This trust,
he added now has the publishers at
its mercy. The readers of the coun-
try would benefit by cheaper paper.
as we'll as the publishers, he explained.
because the money saved on paper
could be used to furnish a larger and
better news service. The hearings
wound up with a friendly philosophiz
ing between Senators Bailey. Smoot,
La Toilette and Stark on the one hand
and Mr.. Stone on the other as to
whether or not it would be better for
the public if the newspapers gave
them more of the serious, solid and
instructive sort of news and less of the
sensational.
Mr.. Rider. who occupied the great
or part of the day before the commit
| tee, acknowledged that the Publish
ers Association sent out bulletins and
| letters urging the passage of the reci-
procity measure. But | would not
have favored the measure he said. "if
/ had not thought it would be of
| benefit to the country as whole indie
pendent of my interest in it as news
paper publisher.
When Mr. bidder attacked the paper
| trust. which he said limited the out
put, fixed the price and told the pub
| Usher where he must buy his paper,
| both Senators McCumber and Bailey
| opponents of the bill declared that If
there was such trust they wanted to
see it prosecuted by the government,
| Mr. Ridder insisted in answer to num-
| erous questions that any amendment
| t. the bill would. in his opinion, en-
| danger and probably kill the measure
and that therefore. lie was in favor
of seeing the bill passed exactly as 1t
4
| came from the House.
| Mr.. Stone testified that no instruc-
| tons were sent TO Associated Press
| correspondents as 10 Canadian reel
procity. except that they were told to
send any important matter connected
| with 1t because of the general interest
i of the subject. He was questioned as
/ to The Associated Press service by a
Il number of senator's. All reports, he
/ said. were supposed to be absolutely
h fair 20 both sides and recital of facts
| for their news value only.
II Washington June 5.-The Senate fl
II nance committee today resumed hear
Il jnes ON the Canadian reciprocity bill.
II Herman Rider until recently pres
II ident of the American Newspa per
II publishers Association being called
II to the witness chair Mr.. Ridder had
II not proceeded far when Senator Nc
II Cunber of North Dakota. startled the
! committee by challenging one of his
statements as an absolute false
II hood"
CONTINUED on Page Twelys.)