The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-30
Republican Leaders Cannot I'm
derstand Why Their Advice
Was Not Requested.
RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT
PRESIDENTS OWN WORK
Foes of Possible Extra Session
Say Executives RenOmina-
tion Is JeOpardized.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29-Embar-
rassed is mild word to define the pre-.
dicament in which Republican mem
bers of congress have found themselves
since President Taft submitted his pro-
gramme for n reduction in the cost of
living, through the medium of reciproc-
ity with Canada.
High nrotectionists, confident of the
sympathy of the executive, have not
hesitated to 60 to the White House
with predictions that the party will
be disrupted if the programme is insist
ed upon. 1nsurgent Republicans, many
of whom are not accustomed to visit
the White House at all, have been pur-
suing the policy of silence
While some Of them are ready to ad-
init that the proposed agreement is in
line with their tariff arguments, they
fear to adopt it lest they bring upon
their heads the wrath of agricultur-
lists
President Taft appears to be about
the only one who is showing no concern
met all arguments against the agree
ment with determination TO disregard
mere political objections, whether they
come from stand-patters or insurgents.
President Insistent.
He believes what he has recommend
ed to be right and he has made it clear
that SO long as he continues so to be-
lieve he cannot be dissuaded from
ny 70
promote legislation to put the agree
ment into operation.
That President Taft realized fully
what arguments would be advanced by
protectionists against freedom of trade
relations with Canada is proved by the
fact that not single member of the
ways and means committee of the house
or the finance committee of the sen
ate was apprised in advance as to what
articles would be affected by the agree
ment.
His consultations were had exclusive
ly with the government trade experts,
and only such of those believed to be
beyond political Influence. In nothing
he has done since he has been pres
ideut has Mr., Taft displayed so much
independent spirit Progressive Repub-
licans are deriving some comfort from
the fact that Senator Aldrlch and
Speaker Cannon and others of the cold
guard - apparently were as much IN the
dark as any one else about the pres
ident S plans.
The progressives admit the situation
is mystifying. They knew thoy had
not been called in during the negotia.
tions with Canada s representatives and
now they learn the stand patters were
equally neglected,
The question has arisen how Pres
ident Taft can bring about favorable
action on the agreement without hav.
ing the support Of some faction of his
own party in congress. Some want to
know If Mr.. Taft is depending wholly
uoon the Democratic support for the
programme.
Mr.. Taft VIII Speak.
Those who have taken the trouble
to talk with him about the matter are
said TO have been told he counted upon
the people generally, the masses who
think he is trying to lower the cost OF
food, to create sentiment necessary to
induce congress to act.
AT the dinner of the Ohio society
here tomorrow night President Taft is
TO speak. 1t is expected he will say
something about reciprocity. Political
leaders are wondering ii he Will tell
what he intends to do if the present
congress fails to act on the agree
ment
There has been a great deal of talk
of nm extra session If the reciprocity