The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-02-17
A fine THING
FOR The MILLERS
PORTLAND FARMER ENTERS A
PROTEST AGAINST RUSHING
THROUGH CANADIAN REclPRo-
CITY AGREEMENT -- EASY TO
SEE WHY MPLs. FAVoRS TT.

Portland, N. D., Feb. Ito The
Forum: The reciprocity agreement
with Canada has passed the house
and 1t looks now as though 1t will
pass the senate before it's adjournment
March 3. What Canada will do with 1t
is still a question.
If this measure passes It will be
the hardest blow ever dealt the agri-
cultural interests Of the northwest. 1t
takes away all the benefit that the
farmer has ever had from a protec-
tive tariff, and what does it give them
In return? Practically nothing. 1t
will mean the loss OF millions of dol
lars to the farmers of North Dakota.
Most Of the time for the past eight or
ten years our wheat market has been
above the export basis, say an average
OF to 10 cents. The past sea-
son we have been 10 to 10 cents
above an export basis. This will all
be wiped out and we will be placed on
an export basis forever in competi-
ton with the cheap, as yet mostly UNI
developed large areas of productive
wheat lands of western Canada. 1t
will encourage immigration from our
farms across the line into Canada,
and consequently will depreciate the
value of our farm lands, while 1t will
enhance the value of farm lands in
Canada.
1t is surprising to see how many Of
our great men are supporting this
measure. Is ii possible that they do
not realize the great injustice they
are doing the farmers of the north
west?
Jim Hill says it will make a differ
ence of not over cents a bushel on
wheat. Wheat has gone down at
least cents a bushel already, in an
ticipation of its passage, and we are
still about cents above the market
price at Canadian ports.
Jim Hill says we should take a
broad view of it, and accept the sac
rifice for the good Of the whole coun-
try, or words to that effect II is a
great deal easier to take broad
view" Of a measure that will put money
into our pockets than a measure that
Will rob us Of q part Of what little
We have. Jim Hill is one Of those
who will be vastly benefited 1t will
mean millions to his railway lines IL
it passes.
Some Of the Minneapolis papers ar
que in their editorial columns, that IL
will not hurt the farmers Of the north
west, while their market columns state
day after day that the wheat market
Is going down on account of the reci-
Drocity agreement. OF course, the
papers are working in the
interests of Minneapolis-and them
selves. 1t will be a great thing for
Minneapolis great thing for the
arge milling and other industries and
hen it places wood pulp on the free
list, which means cheaper paper.
1t seems that the advocates Of this |
Measure wish to have it rushed through |
before the farmers of the northwest |
get reused UP TO realization of the |
lamage done them. Some of the pa |
1ers are now claiming that the farm |
RS OF the northwest are for the meas
Ire, and as long as we make no pro- |
ests it may look that way. Therefore, |
ct us, one and all, send in our vigor- |
'us protests to our senators, with |
)ut delay. 1t may avail us nothing, |
'ut let us show them that we are not |
n favor of a measure that will bene-
1t western Canada, and the railroads |
md other large interests in the United |
States, at the expense of the agricuI-
ural districts of the northwest
AS The Forum is the only paper that |
have read, that takes firm stand on
he side Of the farmer in this mat
er, l would ask that this commune
,ation be published in one of the first
ssues of the paper If vo,I +biply - |
worthy of publication.
Yours truly,
L. G. Goplerud.