New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-01
RATE ISSUE IN CANADA.
Government Regulation Considered
Little Demand for Reciprocity.
rFron The Tribune Pureau.l

washington Jan Sl-The Canadian government
is struggling over railroad question and Is
seriously considering the ACCESSIBILITY of enacting
some measure similar to the Hepburn bill for the
relief of the public. James McMullen, member of
the Canadian Senate, called at the White House
this morning and had interesting talk with the
President the railroad rate question and reci-
procity.
I'VE are little better off than you as far as
the railroad business is concerned" said Mr. Nc
Mullen flor already have railroad commission
which is clothed with almost arbitrary powers. AS
law stands the railroads cannot change an ex
listing without permission from the commission.
But there still many evils which ought to be
corrected. Most OF these in the shape of long
standing privileges which the roads obtained when
the territory through which they run was young.
and now. with the increase of population, have be-
come irksome and burdensome For instance.
big road is entirely exempted from taxes in certain
parts of Canada, and. of course is preparing to
fight with tooth and nail any attempt that may be
made to compel it to bear its just share of the
common burden. Railroad building in Canada is
making wonderful progress. Two great transcOntl-
mental lines under construction. the Cana
dian Northern and the Grand Trunk Pacific, and
when they finished tremendously productive
country will be opened up for development.
You hear very little talk nowadays in Canada
of trade reciprocity with the United States. few
years ago every one was pleading for it. After the
passage of the Mckinley and Dingley tariff laws
the people of Canada became convinced that they
would be Obliged 10 ma markets for themselves
outside of the United States, or do without mar
kets. So they hustled you say in this coun-
try. and very soon found an outlet for their prod
ucts in Great Britain itself. With the improve
ment of refrigerator ships and the consumer
in the remotest part of England Scotland was
brought TO the very farm edge of the Canadian
agriculturist. Now the most perishable fruits and
meats sold daily in London and Glasgow "A
satisfactory profit for the Canadian producer.
Under the present arrangements the Canadian
farmers are all doing sp!endidly, and many of them
are growing rich We have desire to alter our
present relations with the mother country which
would. of course, be the case IL made any
ciprocal arrangements with the United States We
fast becoming formidable competitor abroad
with the American packer. and the brisk
rivalry that is growing is sharpening the business
keenness of the men on both sides of the boundary
line SO far as Our personal relations with Amer.
lea are concerned ] do not know Of any two coun-
tries that have higher regard for each other.
Many of people have moved across the line TO
live-about {; million in the last three four years
and large numbers of Americans annually
coming into our great Northwest. The mining
practically unlimited We have millions of acres
of land waiting for settlers. Any man can have
100 acres for his home. and after he has lived
upon il for five years il is his
Mr. McMuilea is serving his sixth year in the
Canadian Senate and, previous to taking his
in the upper house a member of the House
Of Commons for seventeen consecutive years As
he was leaving the White House this morning with
Senator Warner. of Missouri he met Speaker
Cannon. Senator Warner at once made the intro
auctions THAT seems hardly necessary" said
Mr. McAIullen; we know Speaker Cannon up in
Canada just about well as you do in the United
States