The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-06-03
F|CHT|NC.FOR PACT.
Foes of Reciprocity Stir
Taft to Action.
SCENTS PLOT TO KILL BILL
President Believes Amendments Of
fered by Senators Root, Lodge
and Nelson Have This Pur-
pose in View.

Washington, June 2. - President
TAFT believes plot has been ar
ranged in the senate TO defeat the "a
madam reciprocity treaty by onerlns
the Democratic farmers free list
bill as an amendment
That such an amendment Will De
offered for the purpose OF embarrass'
ing the Democratic supporters OF reel
procity seems certain. 1t is toward this
critical contingency that President
TAFT Just now is deyoting his atten'
ton. lie is holding daily conferences
at the White House in an effort To-
keep Republican and Democratic sen
ators alike in line for the pact.
President Taft is certain that the
reciprocity bill will pass the senate
by comfortable majority If 1t can be
brought to a final vote without
amendment.
The president feels that any amend
ment in the senate will defeat the bill
and he believes that to be the pur'I
nose of some senators who have pro
posed amendments. The Root, Lodge
and Nelson amendments have brought
the president into sharp conflict with
these senators, but he has not hest
tated to express his views regarding
them.
Fully cognizant Of the fact that he
must depend upon the almost sOlid
vote Of the Democrats in the senate TO
carry the reciprocity bill through,
President Taft has been endeavoring
TO devise a means to help them out
OF the dilemma that will be presented
when they are asked TO vote for or
against the free list bill as a rider to
the reciprocity measure. Some Demo
cratic senators have told the president
frankly that they would vote against
the free list amendment II they could
be assured that the "standpat RepuD-
licsns would not sthe in committee
the free list bill as 1t came from the
house and thus deprive the southern
Democratic senators OF the opportu-
nifty in open senate properly TO record
their votes on the measure.
President Taft fully appreciates the
position in which the senate Demo
Gratis find themselves. but he thinks
he as found a solution Of the prob
lem. lie has suggested that a motion
by The Democrats TO discharge the
finance committee from consideration
of tie free list bin and to put 1t upon
it's passage would serve the purpose
of the Democrats in making their al
ti;ude a perfectly clear one.
May Accept Taft Plan.
The plan. as outlined. has been
broadly discussed among Democratic
senators and It is said that they be-
lieye with other friends Of reciprocity
that IL is an acceptable solution OF the
difficulty
In al of his talks with senators dur
ing the past few days President Tan
has endeayored to impress the fact
that in NEGOTIATING the pact with Can
ada. the United States offered to put
meats. -four. agricultural implements
and shoes on the free list. Canada
would not make like concessions. The
agreement Is specific on certain points
and cannot be varied
The rates on -four. meats and shoes
could be reduced without violating the
pact. it is said, but to do 50 would
omen up the problem OF the most
favored nation" clause in treaties with
other countries. And while-he Unit
ed States would get no concessions
from Canada by reducing the rates
the application OF these rates 10 other
countries. the president holds, might
let in Argentine meat and Australian
mutton. which he believes would be
real injury. to the farmer
According TO the White House view
the Root amendment to the paper and
pulp schedule does not actually yio-
late the agreement, but repeals the
house amendment and puts the paper
provision again in conditional form.
The Lodge amendment in regard TO
fisheries would violate the pact and
REQUIRE the consent Of parliament be
fcre its adoption would be consistent
with the enforcement Of the agree
ment
The Nelson amendments would sim
plv cut down duties on agricultural
products instead Of abOllshing them.
II would upset the entire agreement,
II Is said at the White House, and Is
believed there to have been framed
with that intention.
President Taft feels sure OF p Re
publican votes for the reciprocity bill
in the shape that It passed the house.
lie also feels sure OF 80 or 80 Demo
cratic votes. making a total of 81 to So
in favor Of the bill. to 80 or 81 against
it. pairs, OF course, reducing these fig
ures to the total vote. but not as to-
,ho eofo parcentaPe of majority