Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12
SPEAKER CANNON MAY
FIGHT CANADIAN PACT
Makes Public His Views in a
Letter to an Illinois
-
Legislator.

SPRlNGFlELD, ILL.,, February IL
State Senator Bailey Of Danville made pub
lie today letter directed to him from
Speaker Joseph G. Cannon OF the Ma
tiOnal House of Representatives, in
which the Speaker opposes reciprocity
with Canada. The Speakers followers
in the Senate and House, according to
the Danville senator. will put up a
hard fight on the floor when the Can
adam reciprocity resolution is offered
next week.
Text of Speakers Letter.
Following is the text of Speaker Can
mons letter:
ct is represented in Washington that
you are about to consider in the state
legislature at Springfield q resolution
indorsing the commercial agreemett
with Canada, which is now pending be-
fore Congress.
That proposed agreement provides
substantially for free trade between
Canada and the United States in agri-
cultural products. the farmers finished
products. 1t includes in addition to
wheat, barley. corn. potatoes, dairy
products. eggs, poultry. ETC.. cattle,
hogs and other animals on the hoof
One-Slded Agreement.
.'Of course, free trade in these products
is by itself one-sided because we give
Canada an immense market for her farm
produce both in theory and in fact, while
she affords us practically no market for
farm products in fact whatever may be
theory. OF course, II there can be any
advantage given us which will compen-
safe for the burden of competition thus
placed on our farmers. we should be
able to find it in the terms. l have not
found 1t SO far and | note that the ca
madam envoy, Mr.. Fielding. explains to
the mother country that while Canada Is
gaining a large market in the United
States, the United States Is not to gain
market enough in Canada to interfere
with English trade, since few reductions
are made on our products that would
seek Canadian market and these reduc-
tons are small
II note also one conspicuous discrim-
ination. Food animals on the hOof, such
as our farmers have to SELL come into
this country free of duty, but on the
meats manufactured from these animals
there is levied duty of a cent and a
quarter a pound.
Alleges Discrimination.
II have no time to enter into a COM
plete analysis of the proposed agreement,
but I send you under separate cover copy
OF the Presidents message containing the
proposed agreement and schedules. The
agreement to me and to many others
seems substantially to deny protection tC
all agricultural products. treating them
as raw material. and to accord protection
to all who use such products in whole OF
| in part as a basis for some manufacturing
| or finishing process.
MY object in writing to You Is to Sug-
gest that If any effort is made to secure
action by resolution or otherwise, in.
dorsing this proposition while 1t is pend
ing before Congress, it ought to be done
| only after a most careful examination.
There is a marked difference of opinion
among republicans in the National House
| OF Representatives and in the Senate
| touching the wisdom and the justice OF
| the proposed agreement as q whole
Reasons for Democratic Approval.
| 1.-THE democrats in the House Of Repre-
sentatives have held caucus In regard
/ to the matter and have resolved to sup
port the agreement in the House on thu
ground that while 1t Is not all they de-
sire to accomplish it is q long step for
ward in the direction Of free trade under
1.-The guise of reciprocity. their position nov
and in the near future being for tarif
for revenue only and against protection.
/ THAT is not, as l understand, the posi-
| ton of the republican party as set forth
| in its platforms and outlined in its pol
icies, and for one cannot agree with tn.
democratic caucus.
~. G. CANNON"