Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-25

Maine Fishermen could not make n
cent profit because gear, bait and
gasoline We're so expensive that 1t
took every cent they received to pay
their operating expenses. Fair COM
petition might be tolerated. but I'M
fair competition should not he allow
ed by the United States Government
because many thousands of her citi-
zcns earn their daily bread by lob
Ster fishing.
\ large percentage of the fisher
men crossed the Atlantic and fought
iii the World War at n very small
salary. only to find on their return
that the Federal Government had
neglected 10 protect their interests
while they were abroad giving their
very best to their country. 1t is nice
to talk about a Soldiers Bonus and
| would like to see every one WHO
fought in the World War receive a
bonus; l would also enjoy knowing
that the bonus came from the
pockets of the profteeys and others
who hid behind shipbuildinG o. any
other screen to prevent themselves
from receiving the treatment that
cN cry soldier and sailor received
during the war. Whenever it be
comes necessary to declare war.
believe every man that is able TO do
work Of any kind. mental or ply
steal, should he drafted. II in bust
Eess. the Government should take
his business and use it for the bcne-
fit Of the war, pay each one war
Per diem according To his ability.
then there could be no hiding behind
smoke screens or any prOtiteCrinE.
All would be used alike and no one
could make millions while the boys
in the trenches were being used for
targets to shoot at. After the war
has ceased each man should be Civ
en- back the business lie possessed
Lefore war was declared. Then after
releasing the soldiers and sailors
believe everything would return to
normal conditions more rapidly than
has been the case after any previous
war.
Coming back to the bonus again.
it would be fine for every man TO
receive a few hundred dollars as
part payment for the sacrifice made
by him. But really what does a
bonus amount to compared with 4
mans business, whereby he earns
enough to furnish the necessities Of
life for his family. if he is put out
Of business because the Federal Gov
eminent allows another country 10
flood the market of the United States
with an inferior grade of goods and
compels him to sell his high grade
product in competition and at such
a low price that there is not n liv-
ing wage for him? Such neglect ON
the part Of the Government is dis
coura ging TO the lobster fishermen to
say the least.
While the good worl; Of the Bureau
of Fisheries is in progress starting
publicity campaign to increase the
market of fish, it might he well to
start q movement to protect the
markets Of the lobster fishermen
from foreign competition. Maine
furnishes the choicest Favored lobs-
ters in the world. and Canada has to
send a large percentage of her
Holsters hundreds of miles, in crates
out OF water. 4 great many die and
those that do arrive alive are weak
and no doubt are in diseased conr
dition before they are eaten. The
dead are generally boiled and put on
the market. MANY are taken from
the shell and shipped many miles to
inland markets. HOLSTERS deterioate
more rapidly than almost any other
fish. thereby rendering them poison