The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-15
TAFT'S RECIPROCITY
PLAN Is ABETTED
England Gives Canada Free
Rein to Act.
PROVES FIRST FORMAL STEP
Tnrin Negotiations 10 lie Taken Up
in Washington ana Probably Con-
sidered by Both Branches of Con-
gress 10 ImpcI Business Across the
FrOntier-President 10 Take Part.

Beverly, Mass, Sept 1.-THE first for
nal step has been. taken toward the ne
COLLATION. of a reciprocity treaty between
the United States and Canada. President
Taft has obtained the consent Of James
Bryce. the british Ambassador TO the
waving by this country Of the formality
of negotiating through the British en-
bassy. This will allow the authorities at
Washington 10 deal directly with the Ca
madam officials.
The permission Of the British authori-
ties was readily given.
Actual negotiations for the treaty will
be begun soon after the President re-
turns to Washington about the middle
of october. Mr.. Taft is hopeful Of hav-
ing the movement well under way be-
fore congress reconvenes IN December
President to Take Part.
This governments representatives IN
the negotiations have not been selected.
but whoever they may be the President
himself can be counted upon to take an
active part In the proceedings, for he be-
lieves that the negotiation OF a trade
impellng treaty between the United
important tasks confronting his admins
tration.
1t was largely through Mr.. Tafts per
sonal efforts that the negotiations for a
commercial treaty with Canada under
the maximum and minimum clause of
the Payne-Aldrich tariff law were car
ried TO a successful conclusion. and it
was learned to-day that the subject OF
a reciprocity treaty also was discussed
at the conference held between MI Taft
and Sir Wnfred Laurier the Canadian
premier. in Albany last spring
While the Canadian officials are in
favor of a reciprocity treaty with this
country there is strong opposition in
many parts OF that country Recently
the manufacturing interests in Canada
have started campaign against the pro-
posed trade agreement. AT the same
time. Sir Wilfrid Laurier and other high
officials have been delivering speeches in
ar effort 10 educate the people to the
reciprocity idea. The general impress
sion among United States officials is
that the treaty negotiations will be long
drawn out. Nobody is optimistic enough
to expect that any results at conference
will be laid before Congress in -the com
ing short session. President Taft is
hopeful that an opening wedge for gem
eral reciprocity between the two coun-
tries may be driven by an agreement at
first on agricultural products.
Both Houses to Consider.
While President Taft sees no reason at
present why a reciprocity treaty with
Canada might not become the law Of the
land by the ratification of the Senate
alone. it is likely that the agreement will
be submitted to the House as we'll to
avoid any unnecessary opposition. II has
been contended by some members Of the
House that a reciprocity treaty with
Canada would have to be submitted to
that body as a revenue measure, but
President Taft does not agree with this
view
The definite information that negotia-
tions will begin with Canada the latter
part Of this month is likely to have a
favorable effect politically in the New
England States that are still to hold their
elections and in several Of the States
along the northern border Of the coun-
try.
The question of a favorable trade
agreement with Canada figured consider
ably In the Maine election, and is a fac
tor that is to be reckoned with in Massa-
chusetts and in other New England
States. Eugene Foss, who was elected
to Congress from the Fourteenth Massa-
chusetts district at a special election last
spring. made Canadian reciprocity one Of
his issues He is being talked of now
as a candidate for governor on the Dem
ocratic ticket in this State, and probably
would push the reciprocity issue stnl
further TO the front If nominated.