The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-23
NEW ENGLAND and
The PACIFIC N. W !.
Opposition to Reciprocity With Can
ada Conferred in These Two
Sections.
This Is on Account, Mainly, Of the
Lumber Interests in These
II States,
Continued Agitation the Only Hope
Combination Of Selfish Inter
ests-Past Mistakes.
From The Journal Bureau, Room Is, Post Build.
81 wash 60. l5E, sEgu24 ~ =


ing. Washington. ss
& Washington, Dec 23-UTnder the old Or
der Of things the United States enjoyed
good trade with Canada. That order was
changed by short-sighted and selfish poll
ticians who thought Canada's develop
Fmeut would be excessively slow. and that
the United States. therefore, would have
to carry the short end of the pole indefi-
nitey. The recent impetus given lmml-
rgation into Canada, and the American
treasure that is being poured out there
in the erection Of manufacturing and 9TH
er industries, have called attention to<that
short sighted policy. and caused many
people to sign for q return Of the coed old
days when trade was more free and the
relations between the two countries more
cordial But will they return? That is
the question that is now attracting wide
attention, en- both sides Of the lire.
= The short-sighted politicians who were
responsible for the breaking off of favor
a Bile trade relations have a number OF
legitimate successors in beth houses OF
congress- men who adhere to the PROPOSE
ton that certain special interests in. the
United States which would possibly be
injured. temporarily, by better trade
agreements with Canada, should be pro-
tected at the exense OF what would be
desirable for the country as whole.
These men are no longer in majority in
either house, but they are numerous
enough to invest any reciprocity question
with great uncertainty Obviously, Can
ada in return for concessions, would eX-
pect concessions from us, and obviously,
too. these could not be made without nit
ting some one or more of these special
interests. Senators are in congress, so
far as reciprocity is concerned, not to look
out for the interests of the people. but for
those of their immediate constituents,
whence it comes that dozen reciprocity
treaties have been hung up in the com
mittee on foreign relations for three or
four years, with no prospect for ratifica-
ton. If Senators Lodge and Hoar, for ex-
ample, were to vote for the ratification OF
the French treaty their places in the sem
ate would be endangered; and similarly,
the California senators would be looked
upon as traitors to- the vital interests OF
California if they were to permit the ia
macian treaty*to reach a favorable vote.
Here are just two of these special inter
ests There are many more of the same
general character, and when they combine
their strength in the senate, as thsy IN
avriably do, they are quite invinciblc.
This is this explanation Of the neglect OF
the numerous ending reciprocity treaties;
1t will exlain efforts that would be made
to defeat treaty with Canada, should the
state department change its mind and try
- to draft such a document
h~erest Benefit to thesNorthwest.
Could Canadian reciprocity be secured.
the northwest states would reap immense
benefit, and the twin cities would at once
become great jobbing and distributing
ccnters for Canadian trade, doubling their
present business and wealth and adding
wonderfully to their prestige. Naturally
the northwest seeing these advantage s
apparently within easy reach, is very
anxious to secure the benefit of them; bur
any consideration of the question which
leaves out of the account the strength OF
the Especial interest, Opposition in the
senate will be one-sided and misleading.
The other day / asked a. prominent
member of the senate, a man who has
given the general question Of reciprocity
much thought and who is especially anx-
ious to do what he can to secure better
trade relations with Canada, what some
of the special interests are that would
oppose the ratification of a Canadian
reciprocity treaty, and he replied:
Two Opposing Sections.
> THE opposition to reciprocity with
Canada is centered in two sections OF
the country, New England and the Pa
cific, northwest. and is prompted by the
lunbermen. It is true that the most
Of New England timber has been cut, but
there still remain large quantities OF
spruce hemlock and second growth pine
The forests of Washington, Oregon and
northern California are still virgin, and
millions Of dollars are wrapped up iii
them, provided Canadian lumber is not
admitted to this country in too strong
competition. sg
a;a..Now. lumber is the chief raw product
of Canada, and the one for which she
would demand concessions as a condition
precedent to her agreeing to any treaty
AS soon as you mention lower duties
on timber you arouse the opposition Of
the entire New England delegation }ir
the senate. for that section, as the po-
lftical balance of power moves steadily