New-York tribune., 1911-02-24
REC|PROC|TY'S PROGRESS
Mccall Bill To Be Reported by
Finance Committee To-day.
HOPE FOR VOTE IN SENATE
Obstructive Amendments TIC BE
Offered-Merritt Opposes
Agreement.
lrrnm rhe Trlbune Rureau. J

washington, Feb. 2S.-Heafnes "' ~
Canadian reciprocity agreement "rlcn
have been in progress for three days oe-
fore the Senate Committee on FINANCE
we're closed to-day and unless unforeseen
obstacles arise within the committee itseil
The Mccall bill, carrying out the agree
ment. viii be reported 10 the Senate To-
morrow.
In all probability no amendments viii De
made by the committee, on the grounu
that they would constitute recommends
ton The majority Of the committee iaVors
putting the entire question up 10 the SEN
ute without modification or recommends
ton OF any kind either for or against ne
question OF amendments will be thrasheu
out on the floor when the bill comes UP
for debate Senate leaders still nope oe-
spite the congestion of business and the
short time remaining for disposing or the
appropriation bills. to obtain vote
II became apparent to-day that many
attempts will be made on the floor OF the
Senate 70 block the passage OF the Mccall
bill by amendments Senator Cummins
submitted a resolution. which was adopted.
calling on the President for Information
gathered by the Tariff Board bearing on
Canadian trade. including q number OF
articles not in the reciprocity agreement
such as woolen thread. clot1 and clothing
cotton cloth. boots and shoes carpets. pig
iron. coal. wheat. -four and lumber. lie
announced his intention "a offer an amend
ment to include these articles in the free
list OF the agreement. Other amendments
OF this kind will be offered by other SEN
ators.
These amendments. however may ne dls-
posed OF collectively on 'hc ground that
they will open the question of tariffs, in
volvinc the relations OF tho United states
with other countries. senator Root sug"
gested that by placing any articles on the
free Est which were not included In the
original agreement the United States ran
the risk of being obliged to grant the
same reductions 10 other countries under
the INSTRUMENTATION clause Of the
treaties. Senator Root will not press his
amendment to the bill. which will eliminate
tho Mann amendment adopted by Tho
House. He appeared before the committee
10 suggest the amendment. which restores
the language cf the agreement. but he
will not insist on tho change If the COM
r.ttee docs not adopt it. Senator Nc
Cumber viii address the Senate on reci-
procity or Saturday.
The Final Hearing
Edwin 4 Merritt. ir. Of Potsdam, y. y.
8 member Of the state Legislature, APP
peared before the Finance Committee at
to-days hearing 10 oppose the reduction
On paper and wood pup. lie declared that
the Republican State Committee. Of which
he is member regarded the reciprocity
agreement as a dangerous undertaking.
Chester W Lyman, Of New York, presi-
cent Of the International Paper Company,
ana T. T. Brown, Of Watertown, n. Y.
also appeared before the committee.
AIr Merritt said tho farmers Of the
cbuntry we're incensed at the thought that
he Republican party should desire 10
withdraw the benefits Of protection just as
they were becoming able TO take advan-
tsge Of protection. lie declared that If
Republican Senators should submit now TO
tho request from the White House that
'Aey abandon the principle Of protection 1t
would be Confession that they had been
perpeiratirfg fraud on the country for
;he las; twenty-five o. thirty years.
'Of course we hear something Of the
big stick" said Nr. Merritt, but we are
not So much afraid Of IL now as we used
10 heat least. not In New York"