Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-04

reciprocity plan snail be reported with
approval The committee stands to
: against President Taft on Canadian
reciprocity, as follows:
In favor-Penrose of Pennsylvania, Gull
lom of Illinois, Lodge of Massachusetts
Republicans and Stone of Missouri Will
liams of Mississippi. Kern of Indiana
and johnson of Maine Democrats. OPP
posed-McCumber of North Dakota
Smoot of Utah. Gallinger of New Hamp-
shire, Clark of Wyoming, Hepburn of
Idaho and La Toilette of Wisconsin, Re
pubicans; and Bailey of Texas and Sim
mons of North Carolina, Democrats
1t may thus be seen that it is not all
smooth sailing for the reciprocity ship
in the United States Senate There
is something of encouragement in the
exact situation at this time for the
farming element of the country. No
more appropriate time has existed
since the introduction of the trade
agreement in Congress than at the
present moment for the offering of
strong protest and condemnation of
the plan which is intended to plaeate
popular demand for reduction of the
causes of living at the expense of the
farmers. Every farmer and every
grange or other organization of agri-
cultural interest should seize upon this
time to forward their protests in a
volume that cannot be misunderstood.
The position of Senator LaFollette,
who is classed as a progressive and
has been much lauded for his in
surgency by certain organs of un-
placed political standing, like the most
of his fellow progressives is opposed to
reciprocity unless the bill is so
amended that the Dominion parlia-
ment will refuse to accept it. With
other progressives, he believes that
farmer in long list of manufactures.
These so-called progressive conces-
sions are embodied in the proposed free
list legislation that will come over from
the House, but Senator I.aFollette and
most of his colleagues of progressive
persuasion are aware that the Demo-
cratic sop to the farmer in the way of
free list concessions is more than
made up for in the Democratic de-
fusion of free trade which has been
added thereto. not for the benefit of
the farmer or for the laboring man,
bllf for the old nj, e
cratic overthrow of the entire protec-
tive system. LaFollette and other
progressives may yet determine to ig-
more their opportunity to square poIiti-
cal scores and use their influence to
make the double play of killing reci-
procity and catching the farmer vote
at the same time.
Simmons of North Carolina is the
only Democratic members of the f.
nance committee with the exception of
Senator Bailey now opposed to reci-
proeity. and he is reported to be weak
ening a little in his opposition. In
deed all the Democratic senator's are
under heavy pressure, both in Wash
lngton and at home to stand by reci-
procity and the other House bills as
matter of party policy. Should Sim
mons fall into line in response to party
demands, Bailey would remain the sole
democratic opponent of reciprocity on
the finance committee. In such case.
the bill would be likely to be reported
favorably. Should none of the sena-
tors change their mind, the committee
is likely to report the bill without
recommendation" However, the posi-
Die shift of either LaFollette or Sim
mons to the other side would virtually
pledge a majority of the committee to
recommend the passage of the bill.
But as for the farmers free list bill.
it does not stand a ghost of a show of
passing the Senate unless the Republic
can progressives should line up for
free trade in manufactures. Such a
course is unlikely. as these men how
ever progressive they are, can hardly
vote for universal free trade and Law
any claim to membership in the Re
publican party.
But with still fighting chance in
the committee, it is up to the National
grange, State oranges, subordinate
oranges. individual members and all
other farmers to promptly assert
themselves and make their demand
before this Senate finance committee.
NOW is the time and the accepted and
may be the farmers day of salvation.
The BOSTON Tranccrin4 sa.u nr,.