The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-29
IT'S LAST CHANCE
FOR RECIPROCITY
If Rebuffed Now Canada
May Stand Aloof
Next Time.
I'LL GOLDEN HOUR,
AS TAFT SEES IT
President Understands That ia
People Do Not Get What They
Want Now They Will Put
Another Political Party
in Power in Election
of 1919.
to The Times-Dispatoh.l

Especial to The Times-DispatohI
Washington, D. c., january 23.-&
Reciprocity With Canada, now or never.
1t Is the deliberate. and not an alarm
list. view of the administration that IL
the reciprocal trade agreement with
Canada, which was submitted to Cons
gross on Thursday, Is not ratified tho
United States probably never again
VIII have an opportunity to secure
such favorable terms, IL indeed the
Canadian authorities ever will agree
to any reciprocal trade agreement with
this country.
President Taft is laying stress on
this point In his efforts to get the
agreement ratified. To callers today
he made the significant point that thia
Is tho golden hour-the psychological
time TO act. Next year. canada may
Insist upon much greater concessions,
and unon still greater concessions the
| year following.
Canada already has been uTo
In her efforts to secure reciprocal
trade with thu United States. A second
rebuff. 1t is feared, would DO nnal so
lar as tho Dominion government Is
concerned. H3
The President feels that thig is no
time to close ones eyes to the situa-
ton. 1t is upon party az Well as upon
patriotic grounds that he 50 strongly
desires to have the reciprocal agree
ment ratified. The truth is that the
principle OF reciprocity Is on trial in
this administration. and in the presenu
trend of economic thought In the pub
dc mind the decline OF a protective
tariff is likewise trembling In the BALI
nnce.
Taft Understands.
President Taft understands that If,
the American people are not given res
cinrocity with Canada-and, followina,
| that with NcyICn n u-o11L y 80, ,-l
vote into supreme control OF the gov
eminent that party which will GO much
further in the matter Of the tariff.
President Taft knows full we'll the
meaning OF the November election. He
foreshadowed the event long in adj
vance last March, when he suggested
to Finance Minister Fielding In the
conference at Albany. Il rcopening OF
tho reciprocity negotiations again in
August.
Speaking at I;astport. Maine, from a
point where he was ablo to look across
the border into Canada, the President
dwelt again on the subject OF rectpro-
city. lie has gagged accurately the
tendencies Of the times and sees pre-,
ciscly whittier his party is drifting.
He makes no disguise Of the fact
Ills message submitting tho reciprocal
trade agreement. is clear to all who
Will read 1t carefully. Tho Presidents,
moreover. will tell those statesmen
who desire the information that this
agreement, much as 1t gags them. Is
only an experimental first rtep. TAFT
looks far beyond what this agreement
seeks to accomplish to a broad and
general reciprocal agreement between
Canada and the United States In air
branches Of trade. It lay DO, indeed,
that his plans go ever further, though
he has not disclosed this fact yet.
After all. there is nothing new I'M
tho idea OF reciprocity. Reciprocal
relations between all OF the States Of
the New World is a dream dating bnclc
to the days uf James G. Blaine. Never
has there bee q time when It was
more desirable than now.
1t is to be said, in addition. tina the
President is not altogether discouraged
at the outlook for the success OF this
agreement with Canada. He is In no
particular hurry, lie desires that the
agreement shall be carefully studied
by those who are to pass upon 1t, and
that final action shall be taken, not
from the narrow Viewpoint Of any
particular section, but for the interests
OF all the people together.
For the present he refuses to con-
slider his probable line Of action in the
event of tho present Congress failing
to act upon the agreement.
Opposes E1xtrn Session.
Taft Is opposed TO an extra session..
His close friends and advisers do not
believe that he Will s, mmon CONGRESS-
in any circumstance, but no will de-
terminc upon that after the present
Congress has adjourned.
There were many members OF Con-
gross at the White House to-day dis.
cussing with the President the agree
mcnt. Sentiment is still adverse. IT.
was reported to Taft, however, that
the Ways and Means Committee prob
ably would report on tho agreement
In about two weeks. That would leave i
a bare two weeks moro for tho House
II II both to act on 1t before
tho expiration OF the session, March
mot enough time. in tho estimation
OF wise observers, to get favorable
action.
For the rest. the old arguments are
heard on all sides, that tho agreement
Is a blow at the agricultural States:$
that 1t is for the benefit or the East
at the expense Of the West; that it
opens a breach III tho tariff wall.
Considered politically. tho effect %,
the proposed agreement seems to be-
much more serious than the organf
~zatlon of tho new Progressive RepubS
iican League. It splits an already split
marty on new lines, Only ne Derno-A
Gratis seen, to he happy over the latest 4
move Of the administration.
e. we'll known Democratic leader o.;
the House to-day declared that after
q careful canvass OF his party mpnaJia
found that they had but ono Change
that they would suggest being mado@
IN the agreement, and that was that
ms soon as possible a like Agreements
be entered into with the republfo&o6
Mexico.
Call to !nft'H Aid. Essss
I#SE WI gilin UtOn4 January IS ~ nraanS 6HS