Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-18
Stormine Fort Reciprocity.

| leaders are moi SaGSullle Oh Tcdcll!lE q
vote (on the reciprocity measure) and
many of them are inclined to the view
that an extra session cannot be avoid l.
ed"
That this measure. which threatens
the prosperity Of the Maine farmers, is
not TO be rushed through without Civ
| ing due consideration to the storm OF
| protest which is now sweeping down
from the North upon the President.
senators. representatives and others
who may in any way be able 20 hold
up the reciprocity measure or amend
it in important particulars, is graft
| flying.
Members Of the Senate finance COM
| bin Is not g he sr>othered, in spite of
| the opposition to it, and that there
| shall be no unnecessary delay; but il
| is doubtful if the committee will
| make any recommendation upon il
when reporting il TO the Senate. Thus
| with only ten days ahead of it. and
every day increasing the volume Of
protest against the measu il is eX-
tremely unlikely that the reciprocity
bill will he passed before the fourth Of
March
This. however, should not hat the
If foi 70, Two 49,, or
suspend for moment the fow Of
resolutions and personal letters d.
handing fair play.
Surrounded on three sides by cana
dian farms and TO the south OF her the
highly protected industries Of Nassa-
chusetts, Rhode Island and Connecti-
cut, Maine cannot see what II is to
receive in return for what il is pro-
posed to take away. TIL" farmers Of
Maine are to be forced by the pro-
posed reciprocity measure 70 compete
with rivals who have the advantage OF
cheaper manufactures, cheaper farm
lanGs ard cheaper labor
The Maine farmer is realizing to the
fun that manufacturing interests ard
Cana0ian producers have been working
hand in hand FOR reciprocity because
th,y are the prospective heneficiaries
An exchange declares editorially:
When We come to the farmers there
is no doubt that they are needlesslv
alarmed. As already indicated. Can
ada's food exports are so parative-
ly small that when the new arrange
ment goes into effect it will be found
that they will be but slightly affected.
il at ali. Besides, there is another
thing which the farmers should re-
the greatest number must be consid-
cred, and that it in securing that some
small sacrifices are necessary by To-
calities or classes they are in far
better position than any one else te
give up little
OF course Canada's imports are and
have been small because they can
compete with our producers only when
prices are very high-high enough TO
pay the duty and still get more than
the home market affords. But with
the bars let down as this agreement
proposes, in would flow the eggs, but
ter, cheese. milk. poultry. etc, which
can be produced so much more cheap
IS there.
Maine farmers are perfectly willing
tn consider the greatest good TO the
greatest number" but they are not
willing to sacrifice all their best inter-
ests that manufacturers and bond and
stockholders may live more cheaply
and nile up fortunes more rapidly.
The Canadians have all along de-
manded free fish tor Nova Scotia, tho
admission of free grain and other pro-
ducts, and a lowering Of the duty on
agricultural machinery, coal and lGm-
Der. The South is not menaced and is
benefited to the extent of prospective
lowering of food prices. But along The
border states the agreement is viewed
with conflicting emotions. The agri-
culturists of Maine and elsewhere de-
mand a measure OF fairness in the
treatment 10 fall by way of 'recipro-
city The admission of agricultural
products free is too great n departure
to be fair unless there are correspond
ing benefits in the way Of reduction
upon manufactured articles.
That this measure is not to be
hammered through at this session
without opportunity for presenting the
appeals and protests Of great farming
interests, is greeted with satisfaction
in Maine Oranges should redouble
their demands for recognition and
hearing. u if goes to an extra session,
there Will be tim" for proper hearing,
| and probable amendment that will re-
1 l.,