The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-07-17
Going to Canada.

Governor Foss of Massachusetts
announces that one of the fanufac-
turing companies in which he is in
terested is TO establish its chief fac
tory in Cana Ia. He says that "all
over the UAited States the tendency
amcng the principal manufacturers
iG toward the establishment of plants
in Canada This movement has been
going on for many years, and it is
estimated that from three 10 five hun
bred million dCllars OF American cap
tal is now invested in these Cana
dian plants. The Sturteyant com
rany must join the procession in or
der to meet the conditions of the in
dustry, for the movement has now
proceeded to a point whore corpora
lions which fail to follow are faced
with serious embarrassment. Ameri
can manufacturers have completely
filled the American market, and
their production is now greatly in eX
cess of the domestic demand. Under
these conditions the expansion of
their domestic plants is impossible,
and it is becoming necessary for
them to curtail production. If they
had reasonable outlet for their sur
plus products, under reciprocal
trade agreements with other coun-
tries, these industries could remain
at home and grow but under the con
dtions that exist they must remove
to those countries whose markets
they desire to reach"
The Massachusetts Governor is a
firm believer in reciprocal trade
agreements, and would have tariff
law based upon that idea. He OBJ
jects to the Democratic measure now
under consideration because it opens
American doors to foreign competi-
ton without eXactng compromising
opportunities from other nations. 1t
compes competition at home with
foreign producers, but it makes no
pretense OF removing the handicaps
to American trade in foreign coun
tries. With the Republicans support
ing the protective policy, which Anne
only to hold the home market, and
with the Democrats insistent upon
plan which would open this great
field TO foreigners without demand
ing an equivalent in return, Cover
nor Foss sees no chance for profit
able advancement, and so turns tow
ard Canada.
Ii viii be remembered thai when
President Taft ATTEMPTED 20 securt
increased reciprocity with Canada he
was opposed by Democrats as Well
as Republicans, and many OF the lai
Ter party rotcd agains, him at the
last election because OF his recipro
city ideas Now the chief magistrate
they chose in preference to him Ia
yors even lower American duties
than the Taft reciprocity scheme pro
yidcd and at the same time declines
10 ask the slightest return favor
President Wilson has much to say
about stimulating American ability
by compelling 10 TO sharpen its wits
in competition with foreigners. but
he is silent on the question of insisr
ing upon equal conditions abroad as
well as at home as q necessary pre-
liminary 10 the witsharpening pro.
cess. He would afford 10 protection
at home, and would compel Ameri-
cans to fight against protective poll
cies abroad, and can find no incon.
81
in the arrangement If he would
talk with Governor Foss Tor a time
he might receive scme enligh,on
ment on subject which he under.
stands only in vague theory.
There is another reason for the
move which Governor Foss proposes
TO make. and that is tho attitude of
the labor leaders. lie is OF the OPP
iuion that the labor leaders of this
country are misusing their power
Ike the great capitalists have mis-.
used the great sums OF money in
trusted TO their care. They are arbi-
trary and iyhannical in the extreme
and are sitting business" He de.
clares thai the strike in which his
manufacturing company is involved
IS purely political in its nature"
and that "the labor leaders who have
been conducting this strike told ,he
men that ! would not dare refuse
their demands because as Governor
Of the state would be afraid OF me
political results. But it looks as 80
ihey went up the wrong tree this
time"
The prominence OF Governor Toss
in Massachusetts, politics and basi
ness and his membership in a party
which is striving for free trade
tariff make his attitude of special
Importance at this time Conditions
are no, to his liking. and he is no,
afraid to say so. He cpects better
tariff and labor conditions in Canada
and is going to take his industry 10
that country. Whether one agrees I
with him or not. IL must be admitted |
that he is showing the course OF his |
convictions. Troy Record.