Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-28

of Auburn Grange, at which state
Master 9. :. Stetson spoke on this
question and he was quoted as say
ing. When | was in Washington last
year Senator Brown asked me If the
people of Maine really wanted the par
GELS post and when | told him that
they did he replied that he received
ten letters from Maine against the
proposition to every one in favor II
this is true with other senators and
members of Congress, il can hardly
he expected To secure such law for
SOME time to come.
The State Master said that the mon
ey raised by the Oranges would be
used To keep up tie propaganda and
educational work. At the headquar-
tiers in Washington we have six type
writer's, while from these are sent out
four men of such ability as to cam
mand $500 per month. These men ira
vel all over the United States speak
ing before societies and agitating the
subject" Now how long is it going
To take these four men to travel all
over the United States" and how large
or rather how small. a proportion OF
the people of this broad land will hear
them? And is not this pretty good
pay considering the small number of
the people of the United States that
they will be able to reach within u few
weeks? We venture to say that a few
newspapers in each state viii reach
Very many more people than can these
four men, and can enlighten many
more of those who would be benefited
by parcels post law.
1t has been stated several times that
L. s. Senator Gardner has contributed
so toward this fund. and no doubt
many supposed that he was in favor
Of such a law. and would help in Sc
curing its enactment, but Judging
from his speech at the Democratic
state convention, it can hardly be eX-
pected Ia get any help from him. for
he is reputed to have said. He was
opposed To the sn-called parcels post
bill now before Congress. but in favor
of government acquisition of the eN-
press companies which would cost but
$40. 100000 (?)
Certainly this position must be
somewhat disappointing to those whe
had hoped for some help from him in
the Senate.
The Maine Farmer of March Il con-
tains a letter from Senator Gardner
on The Parcels Post and Postal Elk
press" explaining bill introduced by
him in the Senate. and he gives his
views very plainly: (but for some rea-
son neglects to mention the $40. 00(
that he spoke of in the convention: Sc
without doubt those figures were in
eidentallv mentioned for political cf-
feet only) In this letter he says
There is only one duty for me Il
think of in such a case. 1t is 10 ex-
pose the fearful cheat of the peoples
hopes which the so-called parcels post
bills now pending mean" At the close
of this letter he says. IF you farmer;
do not wish to have served YOU. by
this congress the meanest lemon il
the history of legislation. you hat
better notify your representatives anc
senators AT once. If YOU want a rea
parcels post, tell them YOU want The
express companies eliminated. and tht
postal system substituted in Their
place Act at once, for If you miss
now it may he a generation befor,
congress can be brought to the sub
iect again" Now what does tbs
Grange and the farmers think of this
$40. 900 000 proposition? II the Ordel
raises money in the hope of securin.
parcels post law, what will be thu
result? 4 recent newspaper item will
answer this question 1T seems tina
the dividends of the big express com
panies have risen to over 2,00D,o 600
and these companies still have nearl'
S., 900 00o of undivided profits in thei
treasures. one OF the melons SLICED
by one of the big companies. express
companies amounts to $4,000 600.
Now If money will buy legislation
more money will defeat Legislation
and if fund of 30 thousand 100 thou
sand: 200 thousand. or even 500 thou
sand dollars. is raised hoping thereb,
to secure an honest. reasonable parcel
post law. the express companies vii
raise many times as much to proven
the enactment of such a law; in fact
Mr.. Stetson. in his talk before Auburn
GRANGE is reported to have said
The great express companies AM
other allied big interests who are anX
ious to keep up the present robber sys
tern. have raised fund of $l75,ooo It
prevent this reform, it is said. Nor
will be raised by them If necessary
No great campaign can be carried oil
without money, and the more money
the mere effort will be the work. |
looks very much like gamble, an
do those who would, be most benefited
by such law. want to gamble on sucl
an uncertainty? If we have got to bu
such a law, let as find out just wha
it is going to cost, and then see If
is worth while to buy it.
A PATRON.
Riverside, Me-, March 18th.