The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-28
TOWNSEND DESIRES MORE RECIPROCITY Says Freest Trade Relations
 Should Exist IMPROVED WATERWAY Deepeing and Widening of St. Law renee Would Confer Greater Benefits Than Any Tariff
 Law
IMPROVED WATERWAY

| Washington. June 27.-Defense of the Canadian reciprocity agreement was made on the floor of the Senate today by Senator Townsend of Michigan, ue- publican. Not only did he lend his sup port to the bill now under considera- tion, the senator declared, but he would have a treaty which would have in- cluded all the products of Canada and the United States industries on the free list Careful and unbiased study had convinced him that the agree ment would benefit both countries.
 But l am convinced" he added, that reciprocity with Canada can never be the greatest success until manufactured as well as natural products meet no customs walls In passing between the countries
 Senator Townsend argued that 1t was the duty of the United States and for it's best good ito enter into the freest trade relations possible with those na- tions where the conditions of living and industry are similar to those of our own country
 Cenada. he contended. came in this class Personally, he said, he would have "striven long and hard" for ab- solutely free trade between the two countries, but he added that he would vote for the measure in its present form as.an agreement to begin taking down the useless wall between parts of the same industrial field"
 Proposes Agreement
 To increase the benefits which he held would flow from the agreement. Senator Townsend proposed an amend ment to the bill providing that the President should try to form an agree ment with Canada looking to the im- provement of the St. Lowrence river from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic ocean, making a waterway of sufficient depth and width to accommodate sea- going vessels.
 This project, he declared. would confer greater benefits on both countries than those which flow from any tariff, and would be the consummation of the great est contemplated benefits in trade"
 ITO me-" said Senator Townsend, this is a greater proposition than the Panama canal It may be a dream, but some day the dream will come true. It may come in the distant future. but 1t VIII come. The project is so big with possi- Utilities that it should be given the most serious thought and consideration by the two nations which are. we hope, entering upon an era of good will and amity.' Farmer Need Not Fear The farmer had nothing to fear from the agreement the speaker contended. Tt cannot harm the farmers he declared. 'fIt is the beginning of policy which I have long favored, viz: A change Of tariff conditions in conformity with the well understood theory of protection. The items in this measure are clearly under stood We know what the cost of pro- duction is here and in Canada. AS fast as the facts can be obtained the tariff schedules should be revised and a scien- tifc system of duties established. want the wool, cotton. steel and other schedules revised if a determination Of facts disclose that revision is needed. l will not. however. close my eyes and pro- ceed blindly in the matter. I do not be- lieve the people have repudiated the prin- ciple of protection; they have protested against old, unscientific methods.
 To-day if all the surplus wheat of Can ada found an outlet through American markets it woudl not, in my opinion, ma terially affect the price. If we used Canada's export we could and would ex- port more of our own crop. But we will not use it. The surplus from both coun- tries will continue to find its market abroad, except in. cases of a crop failure in either country Then the other country will supply, as it ought to supply the deficiency"