The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1911-04-06
A farmers VIEWS
ON RECIPROCITY

/ have noticed with much interest
the accounts and comments in the
Minot newspapers, OF meeting OF
business men at the Commercial club
rooms, where a general discussion of
the proposed reciprocity treaty with
Canada took place. l must confess
that it surprised me greatly to learn
that there should be anybody in N. D.
that would favor such a treaty, and
especially among the prominent busj-
does not injure the farmers, then
what will it do? Will it give him a
better price for his product? Ger
tainly not; it must of necessity
lower the price. This was quickly
and dicisively proven by a tall IN
grain prices of IL cents just because
there was prospect that this mea-
sure would pass. If just prospects of
the passage of this measure have
such effect, what will be the result
if it really should pass: But We may
lie more conservative and still the
difference will b" enough. Take the
difference in price of wheat in towfls
bordening up to the boundry line
which is always about 12 cents for
basis. Suppose that the price on
one side of the line should meet the
prices on the othed side half way.
This would mean a reduction ir prices
Of cents per bushel to the Dakota
farmer or a loss Of five CT five and
one-half million dollars to the state
each year. Will this benefit our state
or any other wheat growing state
Some say it will lower the cost of
living, but as long as the tariff is
stiH in effect on flour, there is nc
chance. Our millers will see to that.
But what is the use of discussing this
from a farmers point of view? If
anyone should wish to know how the
farmers look at this, he may read
some of what Hon. J. NJ. Devine say.
on the subject. I dare say that
out of every 10, and l believe 80 out
of 100 of the farmers VIII endorse
him in his contention. But let US 90
back to that meeting at Minot. 1t
was contended by the friends" OF
this measure that it would benefit Mi,
not business interests. Now II Mr..
F. l.. Sherman, Halvor L. Halvorson,
F. B. Lambert, F. W. Youngman. 4
B. McCutchin and l.. D. McEanan
were sincere in their efforts to gain
something for Minot at the expense
of all the farmers, I believe it can
be proven in q very few words that
they are badly mistaken. North Da
kota is essentially an agricultural
commonwealth everyone will admit
and anything which tends to make the
Agriculturist less prosperous will
have similar effect on business in
terests. Business men cannot be
prosperous without there is some
body with money to buy his ware
Perhaps the last fall and winter viii
serve for an example. Last fall the
farmers had partial failure of crsr
and what was the result to Mino,
business? Was business better o.
poorer then in former years? 1.
partial failure or a reduction In price
similarly reduces the buying abilit.
of the farmer and must of necessity
have the same effect on BUSINESS
Now brief review of arguments fav
oring the proposed treaty. Mr.
Sherman said in part if the news
papers are correct, that we will soor
be depending on Canada for wheat 1ol
domestic consumption here in NORTH
Dakota. Is not this r1diculoui
argument, and absolutely withou,
foundation in fact? But granting
that he should be right, would it mo-
be soon enough to remove the tariff
on wheat when that time comes
Halvor L. Halvorson's argument, tha
the Canadian farmer is being held ul
by Canadian railroads and elevators
is not one that concerns Us. Let Can
ada take care Of that a. she Is wei
able to do. l agree with Mr.. Lam
bert, that 1t would benefit American
railroads and -four mills, but I mus
add that 1t will be at the expense o.
the producer. Now we come to Mr.
McGahan's argument. He said: l