The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-06-24
ROOT FOR PACT
Pleads For Reciprocity in
the Senate.
DEFENDS THE PRESIDENT
Declares Mr.. Taft Did Not Exceed
His Authority When He NegO-
tiated Pact and Scouts Fears
Of the Farmers.
DEFENDS THE PRESIDENT

Washington, June Ex-senator hoo''
OF New York, formally opened the Ca
madam reciprocity debate In the sen
ate. He announced that he favored the
agreement and defended President
Taft's course In negotiating II. declar
ing that in no way had he exceeded
his authority.
Mr. Root also spoke In favor OF his
amendment to the wood pulp and pa
per provision OF the bill, to which
President Taft is opposed on the
ground that 1t might jeopardize the
entire agreement. Senator Root was
listened to with the greatest atten'
ton.
lie insisted that the president had
followed the practice ordinarily fol
lowed by the diplomatic and executive
officers OF the government In giving
assurance to other governments that
certain things would or would not be
done. He declared:
THE president has followed
course entirely within his power. In
accordance with presidents and strict
~ within the limitations OF Official
proprleties. This is in no sense
treaty. Il is one Of those informal
temporary arrangements made be
tween executives Of two governments
for the effective conduct Of negotia.
tions in regard to internal affairs.
Il think the farmers Of the country
are unduly apprehensiye. ! believe
this reciprocity agreement will be for
the best and the permanent interest
OF our coestry. and must be for IT,
Mr.. Root said he believed the an
ticipated dangers to the farmers along
the northern border had been greatly
exaggerated. Reciprocity. he said,
would result ultimately In benefit to
the entire country.
Replies TO Opposition.
The senator made a direct reply to
Republican senators who had intimat'
ed that the passage OF the measure
would be followed by reprlsals that
might result in the pulling down OF
the protective tarif system.
when these men and their constit-
uents view the subject later. calmly
in the interests Of the whole coun'
try" said Mr.. Root. they will forget
their revenges and vote in accordance
with those principles
Senator Root said no one could be
blind to the change OF sentiment IN
the country upon the tariff question.
The Canadian agreement, he said. ne
gotlated in a Republican administra-
ton and backed by a general popular
support was a great evidence OF this
change.
There is not the least possibility
unless there is another revolution OF
sentiment" said Senator Root, that
the people will ever permit their cost
OF living to be increased by duties on
their ordinary foodstuffs. when the
consumption equals the limit OF pro
duction In this country"
Senator Bailey asked why the tarln
should be retained on clothing, If re-
moved from food products.
Senator Root answered that food
was the greater necessity and that
dual consideration was undesirable.
Senator Dixon. OF Montana, inter
rupted to say that his opposition to the
reciprocity agreement was that II
made free trade in agricultural pro
ducts, while 1t left a protective duty
on manufactured products.
THAT Is what we consider the rank
Injustice Of IT," he declared.
Reciprocal Arrangement.
Senator Root said the agreement
was a reciprocal arrangement; that
both countries had gone as far as they
could in the agreement.
But there Is nothing to prevent this
going as far as 1t likes In cut
ting down other duties" declared Sen
ator Root. III 1t is found that the du;
ties on New York's manufactured pro
ducts are unjustly high, then those
duties ought to be, and probably Will
be cut down."
DO you not believe this bill will be
a step toward still freer trade with |
Canada in the future?" asked Senator
Williams, Of Mississippi.
81 do" said Senator Root. Il hope, |
as did the house when 1t passed this
bill, that other steps will be taken to
open still further the doors to mutual
trade"