The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-21

Washington. D.. C.. February 90
senator Aldrich, chairman or the FL
nance Committee of the senate. has
written to President Taft that he fa-
vors the confirmation OF the Canadian
reciprocity agreement. Whethertt the
letter makes promise Of assistance In
getting action in the Senate at the
present session has not been d~isclosed,
but Senator's who have seen the letter
intimate that the Rhode Island Senator
VIII GO all he can to aid the President
IN carrying his program to success.
Inc announcement that Senator AID
rich. whose name is attached to the ex.
'sting tariff act, had subscribed to the H
terms OF the reciprocal agreement With
Canada was received with great sur
prise In the Senate, especially BY The
stand-pat Senators. who have come ottt
against the agreement on the ground
that 1t Is not In compliance with the
tenets of the Republican party on the
subject OF protection. Some of these
senators were loath to believe the re-
port that the chairman OF the Finnncs
Committee, who in tariff fights has al
ways been found on the sida Of protec-
ton for every industry, whether man
ufacturing. agricultural or mining, had
Endorsed the Presidents program for
free trade with Canada
Much Speculation.
He- ~ Hiio0IiCSileIl WAS maze at the "
White House to-day in respect to the
and there was considerable spec-
ulation at the Capitol as to whether
the message would be made public.
Early In the present session Senator
Aldrich was compelled to leave Wash
inGton on account Of his health. He is
spending the winter at Jekyl Island
Ca. and although much better than
when he left here. it is not likely he
will be able to take any further part
in tariff legislation. for his service in
the Senate will end March 4. His let
ter, therefore,. even If made public. can
have no effect other than to ease the
minds of some stand pat Senator'S who
are inclined to vote for the Canadian
agreement. against their convictions.
Soon after the Canadian agreement
sent to Congress and it was report,
ed there was little chance for action III
the Senate at the present session. Pres
ident Taft wrote to Senator Aldrich. II
is understood that the Executive urged
the veteran tariff bill maker to come
back and take charge Of the fight for
the measure In the Senate. At one timS
ii was rumored that Mr., Aldrich might
be back. but this report was denied.
Big Stick Still Working.
Senator's who discussed to-day the
statement Issued by Representative Nc.
Call. following his Sunday Interview
with President Taft, construed IL Sto
y Ire ~ IL ~ h EtSGSSlOnE OIL
Congress surely would be called by the Y
President in the event that the Senate d
failed to act on the agreement. and II
that the statement was issued with
the Presidents sanction, II not direo-
ton. There Is no doubt that it filled
some Senator's with consternation, whila q
others felt that It was only a gentle
reminder from tho White House that
tho bis stick still was in working order.
No More Fillbustering.
Washington. February 2O.-Filf-
clustering in the lower branch OF the
Congress during this session became
q thing OF the past to-day when the
a rule which. when invoked BY a two
thirds vote as to any pending measure
forthwith reduces the time OF debate
to forty minutes, and cuts OFF al
amendments,
The rule was Immediately invoked
against the filibuster on the omnibus
war claims bin, and that measures
House substitute for a senate bills
was passed in short order. The EIouss ~
bill cuts out al! OF the French spoiia,S
ton and the navy yard overtime
hope that It will be accepted by the
Senate. S9GYt3
characterized as. a gag by SONG
of its opponents. the rule adopted to.
when ;wo-thirds OF tho House desire H
1t. And even then the passage OF d
bin under the suspension provided for
can only be accomplished by a two.
thirds vote In the Rules COMMITTEES,
1T was proposed at first to allow a MAJ
jority to invoke the nile. The Demo
Gratis objected to this, and the two.
thirds provision was inserted. 4%
The Democratic LEADERS, pointed out
that TINS provision was a sumcients
safeguard and that the minority party
would always be In q position to mus
ter more than one-third the mernber.
ship OF the House, and could then dar
feat any undesirable measure. Throttrh
this power OF Veto, 1t was further
stated. the Democrats were In a posf1gN