The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-05-04
WILL NOT |NJURE
MAINE FARMERS
MIR. Emerson Gives Some
Facts and Figures
The Canadian Reciprocity Further
Considered.

Let us try and take a calm, con-
sistent view of this much agitated
question and not be controlled by
preconceived notions or prejudices.
This jumping at conclusions without
investigation is not the way to settle
any question. We need to learn the
facts, the solid and substantial proofs
and pass judgment on that basis
President Taft in his message to Con
gress urging. this reciprocity meas
ure says:
The guiding motive in seeking ad
justment of trade relations between
two countries so situated geographic
cally should be to give play to pro-
ductive forces as far as practicable
regardless of political boundaries.
We have reached stage in
our own development that calls for
a statesmanlike and broad view of
our future economic status and its
requirements. A farsight
ed policy requires that if we can
enlarge our supply of natural re-
sources, and especially of food pro-
ducts and the necessities of life,
without substantial injury to any of
our producing and manufacturing
classes we should take steps to do
so now. My purpose in
making reciprocal trade agreement
with Canada has been not only to
obtain one which would be mutually
advantageous to both countries, but
one which also would be of benefit
to all sections. This trade
agreement if entered into will cement
the friendly relations with the Do
minion which have resulted from the
satisfactory settlement of the contro-
yersies that have lasted for a cen
fury and further promote good feeling
between kindred peoples, 1t will eX-
tend the market for numerous pro-
ducts of the United States among the
inhabitants of a prosperous neigh
boring country with an increasing
population and an increasing pur
chasing power
The above are some of the strong
points advanced by the president and
are worthy of study. Our farmers
especially seem to have the idea that
Canada sends to our markets farm
products in competition with them
and that there is no corresponding
benefit by Canada taking any of our
agricultural products An intelligent
farmer said to the writer recently
that it was a one-sided affair. That
Canada was continually shipping the
products of her farms directly into
our markets and took nothing of that
kind from us. The fact is he is not
informed Has made no study of this
question and simply reiterates what
some other farmer has said or holds
on to an absolute error.
For the past few weeks I have
gathered from the most reliable
sources the following facts regard
ing our trade in agricultural products
with Canada. The figures are from
the last available statistics, Bureau
of Trade Relations, Department of
State, Washington. | give those that
are of the most Importance to us here
in Maine. 1t covers the fiscal year
ending March 81, 1910:
Sold to Canada-Cattle, 1912 head;
horses, 1904 head; sheep, 1884 head;
wheat 54,964 bushels; oats, 23,361
bushels; barley, 164,532 bushels;
peas, 1886 bushels; beans, 23,157
bushels; corn, 6,5S3,S93 bushels; po-
tatoes, 215,22S bushels; apples. So,
OIL barrels; dried apples, 1906
pounds; other dried fruits, 3,S05712
1,20909S lbs; butter, 980360 lbs;
hay, 96,5O7 tons; lumber 983, 1S2 feet.
feet
Bought of Canada-Cattle, 5168
head; horses 2615 head; sheep, 103,-
519 head; wheat 1928 bushels;
oats, 946,479 bushels; barley, 2420
bushels; peas, 232 $50 bushels; beans,
1901 bushels; corn 4357 bushels; po-
tatoes, 97,138 bushels; apples, none;
dried apples, none; other dried fruit,
1.2O9,O9S lbs; butter, 9S0,036 lbs. !;
cheese, 1G3,350 lbs; eggs, 39S10 doz.,
hay. 96507 tons lumber 9S3.1 feet
From our Maine farmers we send
out of the state more than we bring
in, potatoes apples, butter, eggs, hay
and lumber, and of live stock cattle
and sheep.
We have to buy corn, wheat or
wheat flour and oats in large guam
titles. 1t will be seen by this table
that with the exception of butter and
hay Canada takes from us more of
our staple products than we buy of
Canada such as potatoes, apples, eggs
and lumber, the very products we
have to sell. Some of the other pro-
ducts mentioned it is about an even
-
!