Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-17
PREFER EARLY VOTE
Senators Favoring Reciprocity
Confident of Majority.
DO NOT CARE TO SPEAK
Smith Of Michigan Processes Sur
prise That No One Will Cham
pion the Bill.
DO NOT CARE TO sPEAF

The determination Of the Senate finance
committee to push through the Canadian
reciprocity bill with all possible speed
and the confidence Of the Senate leaders
that there is a clear ma jority in favor Of
the bill without amendment were made
plain when Chairman Penrose of the COM
mittee forced the bill into its second read
ing yesterday before the Senate and an
nounced its probable early passage.
Consideration OF the measure was brief,
as no one was prepared to speak at
length upon 1t. Before the Senate assem-
bled Senator Penrose had given out a
formal statement, claiming sixty votes In
favor of the passage of the bill, and more
than that many votes against the Root
amendment. which affects the importation
of pulp wood and paper.
In reply to questions from Senator Gal
linger, Chairman Penrose said he believed
no speeches would be ready before next
week.
He had found, he said. that few friends
OF the bill cared to speak on 1t, but pre-
ferred to vote as quickly as possible
The opponents of the measure. he said.
wanted more time to prepare their argu-
ments.
do understand that no one wants to
speak in behalf Of this bill?" asked Sena-
Friends Of Bill Ready to Vote.
Not as many as want to speak against
it, replied Mr.. Penrose. THE friends OF
the measure are ready to vote this after
noon. The bill has been before the coun-
try for six months and both sides have
been discussed at length"
1T seems strange" said Senator Smith,
that measure 10 bring into rom fitiop
with our people an empire larger than
our own does not have any apologist or
champion in the committee that has been
discussing it for weeks"
Senator Penrose said that for his own
part he was ready to vote at once. Other
members suggested that the Presiden,
and many other leading republicans and
democrats had explained and Endorsed
the bill.
Smith Not Surprised.
Il am not surprised" returned Senator
Smith, that a measure so devoid OF
merit, similar to the treaty Of 1854 which
President Lincoln saw no reason for con-
tinuing in force. and similar TO the prof.
ects rejected by Grant and Blaine and
others. should find no one in this chamber
willing to stand up and risk his reputation
as its champion.
a n.
thought when the bill came here we would
be greeted by a great burst of wisdom
that would food the country with ligh,
and that would cement the people of the
country together in support of this agree
ment. Instead, all lights are out The
country is in darkness SO far as anything
has been revealed in favor of this
measure"
Don't you consider the PRESIDENT
speech at Chicago as enlightenment on
,fc - ynd <~f
diana.
THE President has been able to make
ineligible many public questions re-
piled Senator Smith, but it is amazing
that of all the things he has discussed
and OF all the suggestions he has made
this reciprocity agreement is the only
one that has found favor on the demo-
cratic side Of the chamber, and that
finds no championship on this side
Penrose Volunteers No Statement.
Chairman Penrose volunteered no
statement as to the senator's who would
speak for the bill. IL any. The Senate
listened to the second reading of the
measure. which brought 1t officially be-
fore that body for amendment. and Sen
ator Roots pulp wood amendment, which
had been adopted by the finance COM
mittee, was then offered, but as Sen
| ator Root was not prepared to speak
upon II no attempt was made to vote.
The Senate adjourned until Monday at
the close of the second reading. From
that time forward speeches are expected
every day upon the bill until 1t is finally
disposed Of.
Senator Townsend Of Michigan an
nounced that he would offer an amend
ment instructing the President to under
| take further negotiations looking to a
| wider reciprocity arrangement with Can
| ada