St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1916-01-12
PRESS COMMENT


The Boston Chamber of Commerce,
which is an organization alw US on the
alert for the business interests of the
New England states, is making a fight
against the proposed new tariffs by the
interstate commerce commission,
which, if they become operative. will
add a differential to the freight rates
from New England territory to south
eastern points, amounting to from 40
cents to 81 ton as compared with the
rates from New York to the same
points. That is to say, manufacturers
and other shippers of merchandise
from New England to southeastern
markets, who now find themselves on
a parity with New York shippers,
would, under the proposed tariffs, be
handicapped from 40 cents to 81 on
their future business. To continue to
compete with New York they would
have to discount their prices to the
extent of the added tax-either that
or give up the fight.
More than fifty commercial organ
izations and as many industrial con-
Germs have united in a protest against
the discrimination, and are preparing
to follow up this protest to final and
complete victory. But this means ex-
tensive hearings before the Interstate
commerce commission, the prepara-
ton of much testimony the conduct of
hard-fOught caSe-all of which
means that competent counsel must
be employed. Expense will be attach
ed to this fight for New England-but
whatever it may be it will be small in
deed as compared with the enormous
loss to New England which the opera
| ton of the proposed tariffs would en-
tail
Current Affairs, the official organ of
the Boston Chamber of Commerce,
makes this appeal: "This is an all
INew-England problem. 1t affects alike
| every one of the six states. There
should be no hesitation or holding
| back on the part of any business in
| terest. All are affected by the threat
| ened discrimination, and all should
have part in defending New England
business. Moral and financial support
are both needed. Communicate with
w. H. Chandler, Boston Chamber of
commerce, If you sell in the South and
want your interests protected. Brat
tleboro Reformer.
The State Must Be Strong.
The Springfield Reporter believes
the proper way to handle the prepar-
edness issue would be as follows:
why not slightly increase our ar
M md navy, and say to all of the
ms of the earth: We expect no
war with any of you, and we are not
preparing for any such eventuality.
We propose to so conduct ourselves in
all our relations toward you that you
will never have any occasion, or any
ambition to attack us. We propose
to make the Golden Rule our rule of
action toward you. and we expect you
TO do the same toward u.s."
The contemporary does not mark
sufficient difference between expect
ing and getting, and oftentimes, and
more especially in world politics, the
difference is as great as any difference
can be. Belgium was practicing the
Golden Rule. She even was assisted
in the practice by the solemn promise
of the great powers that they would
undertake to live in accordance with
that rule themselves while at the same
time seeing that Belgium did so. Here
was the Golden Rule fortified by its
own strength and by the strength of