The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-04-18
Fate of Reciprocity Treaty
Hangs on Point.
CUMMINS WANTS TO KNOW
The Iowa Senator Insists on Assur-
ances That the President Won't
Accede to Powers Seeking
Equal Treatment.

Washington. April 1.-THE Cana
dian reciprocity bill Is slated to pass
the house this week. Its fate in the
senate. II now appears. depends upon
the administration Interpretation OF
the most favored nation clause in
our tariff treaties with other coun-
tries.
Although few members Of the sen
ate have heretofore expressed doubt
that a majority Of that body will vote
to ratify the agreement made between
President Taft and the Ottawa gov
eminent, 1t now appears that the pos
siblity that the concessions given TO
Canada under the terms of that agree
ment might be extended to any other
country would grayely leopard the
Underwood bill and might result in its
defeat.
The sudden appearance Of this I'M
expected complication results from
the attitude of Senator Cummins, Of
Iowa. No one man is likely to WELD
greater power and influence in the
senate during the next two years than
he. the man generally recognized as
the ablest and most resourceful OF the
little band OF Republican insurgents,
who. il they work in accord, can abso-
lutely dominate the situation in the
upper house of congress.
Senator Cummns is in favor Of 70
ciprocity with Canada provided lts
scope is extended so as to lower or re-
move the duties on agricultural imple-
ments and other manufactures which
the farmer buys as we'll as upon what
he sells. as provided for by the agree
ment in It's present form. But Sena-
tor Cummins wants this freer trade
restricted TO Canada. He does not pro
pose 10 have the bars let down, for in
stance, between this country and Ar
gentna, so as TO premit the free ac-
cess 10 our markets Of meat products
from the latter country.
Insists on Assurance.
Senator Cummins. therefore. insists
upon an assurance from the president
that If the administration will not &C
cede to the view which other coun-
tries are considered very likely 10
press upon us. namely. that they are
entitled under the most favored ma
ton clause 10 receive the same tariff
concessions which we propose TO grant
10 Canada.
II is true that the customs court OF
appeals recently decided that the most
favored nation clause In our CONNER
cial treaties with other countries did
not apply 10 the proposed agreement
with Canada But Senator Cummlns
says that he has been unable as yet
to get the assurance he desires from
either the president or Secretary OF
State Knox that they will follow the
decision Of the court in case the scope
Of the reciprocity bill Is enlarged as
the Iowa senator proposes to enlarge
Il and in case other nations demand
equal treatment
This Is one Of the indications that
the Underwood bill will have hard
shedding In the senate. Senator Cum
Minis looks to see the Democrats make
an effort to couple with II the farm
er's bill" enlarging the free list Of the
Payne Aldrich law by more than a
hundred articles. II such an EFFORT
succeeded the reciprocity bill could,
OF course, become repugnant to the ad-
mlnlstraton and would. therefore. be
almost certain to fail
Then account lie also to be taken OF
the opposition OF number Of Repub-
leans who regard the Canadian pact
as a dangerous step toward free trade,
although the general opinion is that
they will not carry that opposition TO
the extent Of voting against the presl-
dent
Whatever the outcome Of the three
cornered battle which will begin In
the senate this week or shortly after
wards. there is a general agreement
that the session will be a prolonged
one