The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-02
I'aftBattling TOT orceRe-
ciprocity F'*illSfFhrough
Senate,
DEMOCRATS
IN Ollie NJ a
Free List Bill Presents Hard
Place for Them to Get Over
and Still Support Canadian
Pact, but President Be
lieves. He Has Found i.
a Way.

washington. June .1E-The crisis in
the Senate fight on Canadian recipro-
city is expected to be reached when
the Democratic farmers free list bill
: is offered as an amendment to the bill
| carrying the agreement into effect.
That such an amendment will be Of
fercd for the purpose OF embarrass-
Ing the Democratic supporters OF re-
ciprocity seems certain, 1t is toward
this critical contingency that Pres
ident Taft lust now is devoting his
attention. He is holding daily con-
ferences at the White House in an
effort 10 keep Republican and Demo-
cratic Senators alike in line for the
pact aiH
President Taft is certain that the
reciprocity bill Will pass the Senate
by comfortable majority II 1t can be
brought TO final vote without amend
ment., He feels that the test for the
true friends of reciprocity will come
in dealing with the proposed amend
ments to be offered from the floor.
Mr. Taft recently has had assurances
that the bill will be reported out of
iithe Finance Committee without
amendment and without recommends
lions. This is what he greatly de-
sires. ttt
Would Defent Bill.
The President feels that any amend
ment in the Senate Will defeat the
bill. and he believes that to be the
purpose of some Senators who have
proposed amendments. The proposed
Root Lodge and Nelson amendments
have brought the President into sharp
conflict with these Senators. but he
has not hesitated to express his Views
regarding them. Fully cognizant of
the fact that he must depend upon the
almost solid vote of the Democrats in
the Senate to carry the reciprocity bill
through, President Taft has been en-
denToring to devise a means to- help
| them ontnf the dilemma that will be
presented when they areye sKed&tos vote
for or against the free NtstN billl'a a
rider to the reciprocity measure.
Some Democrntic Senators have told
the President frankly that they would
vote against the free list amendmen emf
if they could be assured that the
f"stand pat Republicans would not
stihe in committee the free list bill
as 1t came from the House. and thus
deprive the Southern Democratic Sen
ators OF the opportunity in the open
Senate properly TO record their votes
on the measure. President Taft fully
appreciates the position in which the
Senate Democrats find themselves, but
ne thinks he has found a solution OF
the problem. He has suggested that
i motion by the Democra is to discharge
the Finance Committee from consider
alton OF the free list bill and to put II
upon it's passage would serve the pur-
pose of the Democrats in making their
attitude a perfectly clear one, and Ice
! has further expressed confidence II.
| the fairness of the American people
TO recognize the purpose OF those who
would attempt the free list method OF
/ q a IN /.
The plan as outlined has been broad
~ discussed among Democratic Sena-
| tors, and 1t is said that they believe
with other frineds of reciprocity that
it is an acceptable solution of the DIFF
| nculty.
Tn all of his talks with Senator'S dur
| Ing the past few days President Taft
has endeavored to impress the fact tina,
in negotiating the pact with Canada
the United States offeerd to put meats
-four. agricultural implements and
shoes on the free list. Canada would
not make like concessions.
The White House View.
| According to the White House view
| the Root amendment to the paper and
pulp schedule does not actually violate
the agreement but repeals the House
amendment and puts the paper provis-
| ion again in conditional form. The
House, 1T is said, would not adopt the
+, Root amendment or any other amen/-
ment carried through from a technical
standpoint.
With the agreement once in the open
! Senate, President Taft has said that its
fate would depned not SO much on the
number of votes pledged to the measure
Itself as upon the number that can be
mustered to put through amendments
that would prevent its PASSAGE
President Taft feels sure OF
! twenty-five Republican votes for the
reciprocity bill In the shape that II
passed the House. He also feels sure
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