The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-05-27
.LUCK|NG PIE D s
FOR FREER TRADE
WITH CANADA
TELLS WHOLESALER 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 a large turnout
OF business men and Mr.. Luckings ad-
dress was given close attention. He
said In part:
Surely II Is not necessary to prove TO
Detroit audience, especially or whole-
salers, that free trade with Canada
would be a Godsend to the northern
border states OF the United States. and
in fact to the whole country. SAID
free trade, and / mean absolute free
trade
There is some just ground OF argu-
ment for protection against the pauner
labor and highly specialized industries
of Europe and Japan. but none against
Canada.
II II were possible to tear down ev-
cry custom house on this border. IL
would be a blessing. but the govern
ment must have revenues. and so we
must have tariffs: but they should be
cut down 10 the lowest levels. 50 as TO
encourage commerce 10 the greatest
degree possible. and they should be
alike on both side OF the line.
But l take II you are all favorable TO
freer trade with Canada. and. there
fore, ! need not argue In favor or what
I have a thought for you, practical
suggestion. The practical thought IL
this; Now In the time TO strike FOR
freer trade, now or never In this gen
Grafton.
Tariff Revision Next Spring.
Why? Because there Is 10 be a gem
eral revision OF the tariff next spring
The whole subject OF tartn Is to be
everhauled.- In other words. the sub
1ect Is open. For years II has been
closed. yea. foreclosed. You have talk :
ed against the wind, you have agitattd
| against sure thing The leaders OF
put there and kept there by the great.
| trusts OF the country, and their faces
have been flint against any change
Let me illustrate to you what mean.
The entire press OF this country has
been clamoring for two years. asking
that the tariff on wood pulp and print
paper be removed by congress. II there
be any power that can move a mem
Der OF congress. IL is the press. Tho
newspapers made and unmake a pub
lie man. They give him bad name
or a good name. Very few men in poll
tiles survive general attack from the
press.
And so congress trembies The news
papers have Numbered at the doors OF
congress all this session. They have
demanded relief. They have threaten
cd, caJoled. pleaded. prayed. cursed
hut all in vain. They have enlisted
the services OF the president OF the
United States. The president has rec
commended and has fiourished the bls
stick, all In vain.
Even Uncle Joe Yields.
But all this will be changed All the
presidential candidates have pledged
themselves to revision next year.
Even the prince OF standpatters. Uncle
Joe. has Yielded at last
Both parties will declare in their
platfords for revision, and this offers
the best opportunity In 40 years.
Reciprocal free trade with Canada
rs a reform measure. standing by It
self, no matter how meritorious has
stood no chance whatever. not even tor
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 or protection.
Development I'm North Country.
No sane man Will pretend that the
same rates should prevail against Ca
madam productions as against those Of
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 is the widest fol-
~ 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 We'll might the east have built a
protective tariff wall against the we st
ut the Mississippi river so years ago
There would have been Just az much
sense In 1t. precisely.
Detroit loses nearly half her natural
markets by this criminal fooIishness.
the charge against intrenched fool
hardiness7