Saint Mary's beacon., 1911-04-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, d. c., April 6. 1911.
By CLYDE Fl. TAvENNER.


Washington, d. c., April s. 1911.
By CLYDE Fl. TAvENNER.
True to promise, the Democratic
House OF Representatives will pass
the Canadian reciprocity measure.
But we don't like the particular
brand OF reciprocity advocated by
Mr.. Taft" a few of the farmers are
still saying. THE measure in ques-
tion reduces the tariff on raw pro-
ducts, without a corresponding
downward revision on manufactur-
ed articles"
The comparative few who take
this view, however, overlook one
very important fact. The Demo
cratic house will not pass the reci-
procity bill as being in itself q full.
fillment of prediction promises to
revise the tariff downward, but
merely as a step in that direction.
Other objects OF reciprocity are the
promoting OF closer friendship with
Canada and the keeping Of faith with
President Taft, who was assured
that il he called an extra session the
Democratic house would pass the
reciprocity bill.
Those who opposed the passage
OF the reciprocity bill by republi-
can administration on the ground
that manufactured articles were not
treated the same as raw products,
are obviously not justified In oppos-
ing the passage Of the measure by
the Democrats.
With the Republicans reciprocity
was TO have been the beginning and
end Of tariff reform. With the
democrSts it is but beginning.
Mark this difference:
Reciprocity under o republican
house meant the Mccall bill with
the 1876 per cent. 'Payne-Aldrich
duty on woolen blankets, the l16
per cent. Payne Aldrich tax on wool
en- underwear, and many other simi-
lar outrages, remaining intact.
Reciprocity under o Democratic
House will mean the Mccall bill
with only it's good features remain
ing in force. and with its most OBJ
jectionable features made null and
void by the passage OF separate bills
reducing the tax on woolens and
placing lumber and other necessar-
les of life on the free list. These
separate bills refer not only to i'm
ports from Canada, but to the i'm
ports OF all nations OF the earth.
WHITE HOUSE To WALL STREET,
AND VICE VERSA.
Charles D. Norton is closing up
his business as secretary to Presi-
dent Taft, preparatory to becoming
one OF the ice-presidents OF Nor
gan's First National Bank of New
York. As in the case of Leslie NJ.
Shaw, Frank A. Vanderlip. George
b. Cortelyou, the late Paul Morton
and Comptrollers Eckels, Dawes,
and Ridgely. Mr.. Norton's special
fitness for high finance was not dis
covered until he took q government
position.
What is there about services with
the government which so peculiar
ly fits a man for Wall street, Do
Morgan and Rockefeller give out
these high-salaries positions to gov
ernment employees for services rem
dered by them while they are in the
government service. or is it because
OF realization that men like secre-
tary to the President are likely to
have valuable secrets which may be
useful for speculative purposes2
Going or coming. the path be-
tween Wall st. and President Taft's
mediate circle is short and much
travelled. Attorney General Wick.
ersham. it will be recalled, was
formerly sugar trust attorney;
the Presidents brother, Henry P.
Taft, is on record as q sugar trust
attorney; ex Secretary OF the Inter
ior Ballinger was formerly adviser
for interests having designs upon
Alaska coal lands; Secretary of Com
merce and Labor Nagel was former
ly attorney for the Waters Pierce
(Standard) Oil company, and Secre-
tary of War Dickinson was personal
attorney for the late Hartman and
general counsel for the Illinois Cen
tral railroad.