Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-06
North Dakota Senator Calls
Newspaper Publisher Fal-
sifier During Course Of
Reciprocity Hearings.
TAFT STANDS FIRM
FOR NO AMENDMENT
President Reiterates For
mer Declarations When
Senator Stone Asks Him
Concerning Provision.

Washington, D. c.. June bThc sem
ate finance committee today resumed
hearings on the Canadian reciprocity
bill, Herman Ridder, until recently
president of the American Newspaper
Publishers association, being called
to the witness chair. Mr.. Ridder had
not proceeded far when Senator Nc
Cumber, of North Dakota, startled the
committee by challenging one OF his
statements as an absolute false
hood" Senator McCumber's action,
brought a quick protest from SenAr
tors Stone and Bailey, who declared
that witnesses should not be insulted.
Mr. Ridder had made the state
ment that newspapers OF the country
and the Publishers association had
not attempted to suppress facts or TO
color stories sent from Washington
on the subject Of reciprocity when
Senator McCumber interrupted with
his charge of falsehood.
Several senator's insisted that Nc.
Cumber's remarks be stricken from
the record.
II any witness appearing before this
committee said Senator Bailey.
were to imply that some senator
had told falsehood, I would Insist
that 1t be stricken from the record.
Senator McCumber agreed to have
his remarks changed SO AZ to mako It
read that he believed what Mr.. Ridder
said was "unfounded.
Mr.. Ridder, In reply to questions
from members of the COMMITTEES. de-
clared that he as president of the Pub
lishers' association, had sent out word
to the members Of tho association tell
ing them the reciprocity agreement
was Of vital Importance.
but | would not have favored the
agreement" added Mr.. Ridder, IL ]
had not thought 1t would be OF good to
the whole country, independent Of my
interest In 1t as newspaper pub
lisher.''
Ridder on paper Trust"
Mr.. Ridder declared that while he
was in favor OF reciprocity as whole.
his reason, as newspaper man for
urging it's passage was so that he
might get out of the clutches OF the
paper trust which, he said, was rob-
bing the newspaper publishers OF the
country.
Have you ever made an effort?"
asked Senator Bailey, ito have the
paper trust punished by the depart
ment Of justice?"
eyes," replied Mr.. Ridder, II had
fifty-two paper makers In New York
indicted and they paid $4,000 each.
These were manufacturers OF various
kinds of paper, although 1t has not
been possible rs yet to prove legally
that white paper trust exists. Mr..
Wallack, vice president Of the 1nterna.
tional Paper company swore before the
Mann paper committee that there was
no combination Of any sort, although
reports were being made to him every
month as to what the various paper
mills of the country were doing"
"Would you be satisfied" asked
Senator Hepburn, III the paper trust
were punished in some other way than
by the passage Of reciprocity agree
ment?"
II want help during my life time"
said Mr.. Ridder. II have not yet seen
any trust magnates go to jail. favor
the measure SO that may buy paper
in the open market. do not intend, II
! can help 1t, to let the paper trust
dictate to me what must pay for
paper"
Mr.. Ridder said he was opposed to
all trusts. E3.,
Taft Opposes Amendment.
To Senator Stone Of Missouri.
President Taft again made 1t clear to-
day that he Is opposed to any amend
ment whatsoever to the Canadian
reciprocity agreement. Senator Stone
had heard a report that the admins
tration's opposition to the Root amend
ment was not entirely sincere and that
Senator Root had been assured priv
ately that the president would not be
displeased IL his amendment were
adopted.
IT came to the white house," said
the senator, ito find out for myself
whether the president was In earnest
in opposing the Root amendment. And
found out. He told me that he was
against any amendment proposed by
any senator, democrat or republican.
That settles it for me. am going
back to the senate to carry the fight
along those lines Every true friend
OF reciprocity will do the same thing.
II we begin by tacking on harmless