Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-21


is where the wheat-belt farmers have
cinch OF the farmers of the enete
East, for they have the government
promise Of s2.2s a bushel for all the
wheat they have to sell. while their
eastern brethren have to be satisfied
with what they can get in the open
market for their surplus farm pro-
ducts-Biddeford Journal.
Nor can one raise wheat to spoil
the market in the war victory" fool
gardens Of such as the Charles La
throp Pack crime in the pretense OF
service. While eastern farmers have
their markets. their prospects and
their dispositions ruined by an adj
ministration- conceived and Tom
Dick and Harry carried out idiocy OF
war gardens" the big Western grain
farmers are guaranteed a price on
wheat that promises to slaughter corn
and other grains. to the further bur.
den Of eastern stock raisers and milk
uldhCiSs d. " CLi o-i.CA %cAAS AAa%h -
who have learned to depend on Wes-
tern grains.
On the other hand. the present ad-
rninistra,ion' tariff policy robs the
Northern and Eastern farmer IN an
other way just as effective. The fol-
loving from the Houiton Times Of
thi: week we'll sets it forth:
1t is an acknowledged fact that la
Dor Of all kinds Is, and always has
been cheaper in Canada than in the
United States, and the reason for this
may be explained in different ways.
II is not necessary a: this time to
discuss the reason why; suffice it TO
say that this Is the case.
At the present time the effect OF
this Is very noticeable in the present
status Of the potato market, as Cana
dian potatoes are coming into the
states in large quantities and are
having a noticeable effect on the
price. Potatoes can be raised in
Canada for less than in the states.
and consequently can be sold cheaper,
which Is q serious matter for .\roos-
took county potatoes.
According to the Underwood Tariff
law which went into effect Oct 5, 1913.
paragraph 5sl. says in substance
that potatoes shall be On the free list
unless imported from a country which
imposes a duty. in which case duty
of 10 per cent. shall be charged.
From this fact it will be seen that
even with the duty. the Aroostook
farmer Is up against it," in compe-
tition with the Canadian farmer. un-
der the Underwood law. BUT on Nov.
:. 1918 Consul General John c. Foster
of Ottawa, Canada, notified the De-
partment OF State at Washington
Canadian order in council passed to-
day. orders that potatoes and potatoes
dried, dessicated or otherwise pre-
pared. are this day transferred to the
list Of goods which may be imported
into Canada free of all duties of Gus
TOMS
From this ruling it will be seen that
mer has access to and can take ad-
vantage Of the markets Of the United
States farmer. which places the far
mer in the states at a great disadvan-
tage. for the potato markets OF the
United States are governed entirely
by supply and demand.
Since the last week in September and
the first week in October 1913 when
the local market was paying from
S2 - m el ~ fhopo hoe st lie,
decline. until today TUESDAY, Feb.
1S) the price Is $500 per barrel. 4
price less than the actual cost of pro-
Ilction.
According to the best information
.ArOostook raised in 1918. 2l,250, 900
bushels. and every other potato pro-
ducing state had an average crop
which In itself would nc: have made
the price any more than the actual
cost Of production. but when the crop
Of Canada has access to our markets,
any man Of ordinary ability can see
he result.
Canada had an estimated crop in
1913 of. according to the Government
report. 105.579.70o bushels. and in
1917. 79.sa2.0Oo. New Brunswick in
iels-9.o77.6o bushels; in 1917. $751;
900. Quebec in 1888. 1896, 900. in
1917. 1s.15s.ooo. all Of which gives one
an idea OF what this Canadian crop.
when put into our markets means to
The farmer in Aroostook.
II the Canadians raised enough in
.9l7 to supply the demand in that
year. and the demand was fully as
great as In 1913. it can be seen that
The crop Of 1918 would more than sup
ply them and that Is doubtless the
reason why they are turning to our
markets to sell their product.
The conditions in Aroostook coun-
~ are very serious. and the low price
coupled with this foreign competition
means a big financial loss to the
county. even the ordinary market will
mean a loss. and with an open mar
ket. 1t means still more.
It would seem as though some rem
edy should be found for this condi-
lion. and 1t would seem as though
some action should be taken at once
10 save the farmer from this loss.
There are certain channels through
which It would seem as though some
relief might be obtained. Is it being
done?
Sure. its tough! But suppose you
we're making tax returns to the
Kaiser?