Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-11
To Yankee Farmers
For Reciprocity
Made Direct by Presi-
dent Taft at Columbus.
Sure Il viii Benefit Rather
Then Injure Agriculture.
Will Continue Reciprocity Gam.
palgn Saturday in Illinois.

Columbus. Ohio, Feb. Io-Carrying
forward his campaign for Canadian
reciprocity. President Taft made di-
rect appeal today /" the American
farmer on that issue. He said that
the impression which had gone abroad
that reciprocity With the Dominion
would njure the farmer was entire
l. with foundation and by statis-
ties and argument he sought to back
UP his assertions.
Mr.. Taft said without reservation
that the agreement would be ben
eft rather than 4 dctriment to the
agricultural interests Of this country.
He said he made his answer to the
criticism directed against the measure
presumably on the part OF the farm
ers.
rs for himself. tie President said.
he felt that the undoubted general
benefit OF the agreement would en-
tiraly indicate those who are respon-
siblc for it. The greatest reason For
tn adoption Of III" agreement, he ar
guod. is that it will unite TWO coun-
tries with kindred people living to-
gether across a vice continent. in a
commercial and social union 10 the
great advantage nj both.
such result" added the Presi-
dent, does not need to be justified
by any balancing Of a pccuniary profit
Ia each.
Mr.. Tait's address. the first of his
present trip into the middle West was
delivered at the National Corn Elk
position in the Auditorium at tho
STATE Fair grounds Il VAS because
Of the agricultural character of his
surroundings and the presence Of Il
great many Of the influential farmer,
in this section, that he chose to cham
pi.n the proposed agreement from
the standpoint Of the agriculturalist.
The auditorium, which has a seat
ing capacity Of more than 1000, was
crowded to OVERLOOKING. The crush at
the doors was So great that the ser
vices of a score Of policemen were
called for.
Mr. Taft's address was listened TO
apparently with the deepest interest
and he was warmly appIluded at in
tcrNals. Tho Presidents speech was
not framed merely as Il popular appeal
IT, a class. but consisted in large part
of figures in Substantiation of general
tariff claims.
For instance. so far as the corn
raisers are concerned. M Taft show
ed that the total Canadian yield is but
six-tenths Of l per cent. of the total
production in the United States. Ger
tainly with respect to corn" he added,
the American farmer is King and will
remain 50. reciprocity OF no rcciproc-
ity."
This statement ELECTED a quick re-
Spouse from the big audience, and the
demonstration was renewed when the
President said i'll closing:
Let the agreement he adopted and
&c into operation and III six months
the farmers of the border who now
have fears will rejoice in this great
step toward closer business and social
relations with our ncighbors. The
whole country-farmer manufacturer.
railroad company. middle man. ware
house men-all will be the gamer"
Reciprocity with Canada will benefit
In" entire United states. farmer. man
ufacturer. railroad company, middle
man, warehouseman
This was the declaration made BY
President Taft in an address here To-
day at the National Corn Exposition.
An will be the gamer" he said.
While his speech was devoted especial
" to showing that the farmer mad
nothing to fear hut much to gain, he
tried to prove also that all the other
interests of the country would be hen-
Gifted by the proposed reciprocity.
we have with pioneer energy
,,,,e,,al ,,, 60 tba pacific tho President
said, "and taken up all the good land.
We are now spending millions to re-
claim the arid and scmi-arid lands of
Il Q great Western desert. Should We
not by taking down useless and un-
necessary tariff will. bring within our
AGRICULTURAL resources the great plains
OF the Northwest when they can bring
to us what We need and that without
hurting any Of our own people,
Continued on Page Twelve)