Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-29
Leaders Fear Taft Will Refer
Reciprocity to Democrats.
WANTS MEASURE RATIFIED
President Thinks Election Result
Means People Seek Relief.
AGAIN TALK EXTRA SESSION
Members of House Declare There Is
Not Time Now for Such
Legislation.

Is the country about 10 witness the
spectacle of a republican President isnor-
ing party lines and appealing to the
progressive spirit in Congress, regardless
of party, for remedial tariff sislation?
Such query was suggested yesterday by
the reports current mt the Capitol that
President Taft. i'm the event Of failure
of Congress to act on the canadiau reel
pro-ity pact at this session. might, II
public opinion would seem Ia warrant.
call Congress in extra session and in
trust to a democratic House the task
repudiated hv republican, House.
The introduction in the House yesterday
hy Mr.. Mccall of Massachusetts pre-
sumably 10y request of the administra-
tion, of bill amending the existing
tariff law so as to carry out the pro-
visions of the Canadian agreement. stimu-
tsted discussion upon the subject of the
Presidents plan.
Th,, hill was referred to the ways ana
means committee in due order. its ap-
~ opriate bourne. The committee will
igrcre il or act upon il in its wisdom
the committee may decide. In the mean
time the Senate Will remain passive and
wait for the legislation To come up u
il In regular course followed by bills
affecting the revenue.
May Break Through Party Lines.
Republicans were very much interested
yesterday in the persistent reports that
there warrant for the impression
that President Taft. if he found himself
backed by pressure from the country.
would not hesitate to break through
party lines and seek support Cor enact
position, if his own party should deny
him. 1t was said that what ylle Presi-
dent wanted and wrat he thought the
people wanted was action and relief; that
the people had shown in the last cleo
tion their joyous Willingness to turn TO
the democratic party 10 get what the
republicans had refused them, and that
there might be object lesson in that
demonstration for guidance in the future.
Ii was also said that the President did
not consider the reciprocity pact a party
measure that he had declared in his Spe
eial message TO Congress that it did not
violate the protective principle, as that
has been authoritatively announced by
those who uphold it. because that prin-
ciple does not call for tariff between
this country and one whose conditions
to production, population and wages
so like ours, and when our common
boundary line of 5000 miles in itself must
make radical distinction between our
commercial treatment of Canada and of
any other country.
This view of the President as to the
non-partisan character of the pact lent
color TO the reports that he could bring
himself very easily To enliStinS the aid OF
democrats in perfecting the desired lesis-
lation, ii republicans should absolutely
refuse to act.
Woolen Schedule Also.
An additional detail of the reports was
that the President if he should call an
extra session. would first have secured an
understanding with the democrats that he
would put up TO them the results of the
investigation of the tariff board in the
wooden schedule. with the understanding
that extra session tariff legislation would
go no further than effectins the Cana
dian agreement and revising the Woolen
schedule. 1t will be remembered that
the President has been dissatisfied with
the woolen schedule from its enactment.
To say that these reports presented a
staggering proposition TO the old-line
party men would be stating it far too
mildly. Their dismay was increased by
reflection of many of them that the
President is Just about Independent
enough, just about as free from hide
bound partisan ties and just about as
disgusted with .stand-pat obstinacy as
to come pretty near out
suggested alternative.
1t was remarked by some of them in
the course of gossip that such an under
taking would be taking the tariff out OF
politics with vengeance.
This was followed by the reflection that
the negotiating OF the trade agreement
with Canada has gone long stride to-
ward taking the high protective tariff out
of republican politics.
II was said at the Capitol yesterday
that the President is convinced that his
administration is advancing broad and
generous economic policy in proposing the
tariff concessions to Canada, and that he
* in a present mood to disregard politics
and to put his action upon higher plane
than the political one.
Would Not Surprise Politicians.
II the country responds apprecativelv
il would not surprise the politicians at
The Capitol 10 see the President take
an aggressive stand in pushing his policy
welcoming the aid of any one who Will
help it along.
Al any rate, il was the almost unani-
nous opinion at the Capitol Yesterday
that If the trade agreement is effected il
will have To be at a session other than
the present This opinion was especially
deep-seated among members of the
House. Without exception. the leaders
declared il was absurd TO think OF put
ting through legislation OF this character
in the few remaining weeks of the ses-
sion. and with the pressure from appro-
priatlon bills growing stronger each day.
Practically. it would require unanimous;
consent to accomplish suca an end, some
Of the leaders said. With the opposition
t0 the reductions In duties that exists il
was declared impossible To contempIatc
passing such a measure without prolong-
ed debate. while the tlumbS-down Of
half dozen senators. acting for their
friends In the House, would stop il a.
fectually in the Senate.
Let him call his extra session or pat
the bill over until December" was the
judgment OF the House leaders