Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-30

Editorial Department
Kennebec Journal,
Augusta, Maine.
Dear Sirs:
| | am writing to ask the coopcra-
ton of your paper in an effort which
is being made by the agricultural in
tercsts of our state to secure the
same reduction in freight rates on
agricultural products that is being
granted to the farmers of practically
every other state. Up to the pres
ont time this has been a New Eng
land wide proposition, and we have
had the active assistance of the other
! New England agricultural depart
ments and several powerful aSricul
tural committees. Now, however, it
is reported that the New York, New
Haven and Hartford and the Boston
and Maine will grant 1900 reduction,
thus conforming to the action of 9TH
er roads throughout the country. and
leaving Maine with its heavy ship
mcnts of hay, potatoes ana apples yet
TO be made as the only state to be
Disseminated against.
| think that we all realize the diff
cult financial situa ton of our Maine
roads. but it does seem that they
should be as well able to grant this
reduction as are other lines outside
the state. 1t also appeals to me that
| the good will and increased patron
age of our producers might be of
greater value to our railroads than
the amount of money represented by
this difference in rates. ] am not of
course aware of what your view Of
the situation may be, but realizing
the extremely fair and helpful atti-
tude which the Maine press has for
some time taken toward our agri-
culture. and also it's great influence.
I am asking for assistance in calling
the attention of your readers to this
really serious situation.
1t is conceded that this whole mat
ter will eventually he thrashcd out
before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, and that we are likely to
receive every consideration at their
hands, but action by that body will
be necessarily slow and well c0nsid-
cred and there is every prospect
that this years crop will have been
largely moved before we can receive
the benefit of action by this body.
Our best hope seems to lie in bring
Ing the force Of public sentiment to
| bear upon the officials of our roads
to the extent that they may see the
Justice and necessity Of granting the
desired reduction. Editorial com
ment in your columns would be OF
great assistance in this work, which
seems to fall upon our department
and which we have accepted as one
of our responsibilities.
Illustrating the injustice of the
proposed arrangement, I would quote
some comparative freight rates from
Aroostook county, Maine, and from
competitive producing sections in
other states. The distance from In
dianapolis to New York is S25 miles
ard the freight on hay is $50 cents;
from Pressure Isle the distance is 76l
miles and the freight on the same
commodity is 66 cents. From Grand
Rapids. Michigan, TO SD Street,
New York by direct route is 775
miles and the freight rate on pota-
toes is 5S cents, while the distance
from Pressure Isle to SD Street, 761
miles and the potato rate is 61.5
cents. Ten per cent reduction would
thus give the Michigan potato grow
cr5 preferential Of 9.3 cents. 1t
should be borne in mind that there
are vet some 1t, 900 car loads of pota-
tons "a ba chippcd from, Maine and
that these potatoes have been grown
under expensive conditions and must
be sold on q very small margin of
nroft. A difference Of even SIS or
$50 per car often represents the en-
! tire profit of a shipper. who must in
turn reduce the price which the
farmer receives in order to protect
himself.
I believe that justice to our agri-
culture with which the general bust
ness prosperity of our state is very
closely allied, requires that we do
everything in our power to secure
the same freight rates for our farm
products as arc to he allowed the
farmers of other states. and that orr
producing areas should not be re-
moved some two or three hundred
miles further from the consuming
sections. which would be the practi-
cal effect of tho proposed discrimina-
ton. Anv publicity yoll may he able
to give this matter will he OF great
assistance end much appreciated.
Very truly YOURS.
F. + Washburn.