The Detroit times., 1908-05-28
tUCk|kG PLEADS
FOR FREER TRADE
WITH CANADA
TELLS WHOLESALERS NOW IS
THE TIME TO STRIKE WITH
TARIFF REVISION ONLY FEW
MONTHS AWAY.

Former Congressman Alfred Luck
ing spoke at the Wholesalers lunch
con in the Penobscot Inn, at noon,
Wednesday. on Wider and Freer Mar
kets in Canada-Now is the Time to
Strike" There was large turnout
OF business men and Mr.. Lucking's ad-
dress was given close attention. He
said In part:
Surely II Is not necessary to prove to
salers. that free trade with Canada
would be a Godsend TO the northern
border states OF the United states An.
In fact. 20 the whole country; s s
free trade. and / mean absolute irco
trade.
There is some just ground OF argu-
ment for protection against the paurer
labor and highly specialized industries
OF Europe and Japan. but none against
Canada.
II IL were possible to tear down ev-
would be a blessing. but the govern
ment must have revenues, and SO We
must have tariffs; but they should pc
cut down to the lowest levels. SO as 20
degree possible. and they should DO
alike on both side OF the. line.
But I take II you are all favorable to
frecr trade with Canada. and, there
fore. l need not argue In favor OF what
you are already fully convinced Of but
have thought for you. practicas
this. Now il the time TO strike For
frecr trade, now or never In this gen.
alton.
Tariff Revision Next spring.
why? Because there Is to be gen
oral revision OF the tariff next spring.
overhauled. In other words. the sub
tect Is open. For years IL has been
closed. yea, foreclosed. You have talk
cd against the wind. you have agitated
congress in both branches have been
put there and kept there by the great.
trusts OF the country. and their faces
have been flint against any charge
Let me illustrate 10 you what I mean.
The entire press or this country ms
that the tariff on wood pulp and print
paper be removed by congress. II there
be any power that can move mem
Der of congress; II Is the press. Tho
| lie man. They give him bad name
or n good name Very few men In pol
itics survive a general attack from the
press.
And 30 congress trembles. The news /.
papers have Numbered at the doors OF
| congress all this session. They have
d DC reiiefTsey have threaten
but all In vain. They have enlisted
the services OF the president OF tho
United States. The president has rec
commended. and has fiourished the big
stick. all In vain.
Even Uncle Joe Yields.
But all this wilt be changed. All tho
presidential candidates have pledged
themselves to revision next year.
Joe. has yielded at last.
Both parties will declare I'm their
platfords for revision, and this offers
the bcst opportunity In 40 years.
Reciprocal free trade with Canada
SELF no matter how meritorious. has
stood no chance whatever. not even for
consideration by congress. But by unit
ed. fearless. persistent endeavor. by
agitation. by pushing. driving hard
work, II now may succeed.
The border states should go into
congress with solid ranks. and demand
that sanity shall be exercised even in
the matter OF protection.
Development I'm North Country.
No sane man will pretend that the
same rates should prevail against Ca
madam productions as against those vf1
Europe siad-JaPans- Sometimes tie
newer country, the less developed
country, may need protection against
the older country. but the United States
against Canada. not at all.
our present course In the widest fol-
ly on our part. For the next so years
the greatest development will be 10
our north. and we should participate In
that great future
AS well might the east have built a
protective tariff wall against the west
~ the Mississippi river so years ago.
There would have been just as much
sense In IL. precisely
Detroit. loses nearly half her natural
markets by this criminal fooiishness.
The charge against intrenched fool
hardness?