The Washington times., 1911-01-28
CANADIAN TREATY
KEEPS TAFT BUSY
White House Besieged by
Members of Congress to
Discuss 1t.

Consideration of reciprocity legislation
is overshadowing every other matter at
the White House again today. The per-
manent tariff commission bill, the ship
subsidy measure, and even the appro-
priatfons are temporarily at least, laid
aside while the President talks over the
phases of the Canadian agreement with
his callers.
Senators and Representatives from all
sections of the country called today
either to assure the Executive OF their
support of his treaty, or else to snow
him wherein some industry or other IN
their districts would suffer If the treaty
should go into effect as drawn.
There was a feeling at the White
House today, after a number of callers
had seen the President, that action at
this session of Congress need hardly
be expected. The President was told
hy more than one adviser today that the
treaty provisions were too far-rea ching
in their effects for hurried action by
Congress, and that the Senate would
probably let the whole matter go over.
Representative Dwight, the Republi-
can whip of the House, was one or the
visitors who felt that action could nard-
ly be expected at this session, though
he assured the PRESIDENT IIldl lHe IlOuSS
Committee on Ways and Means would
do its part by reporting out the Dill
within the next week or ten days.
Other Matters Considered.
Other legislative matters were consid-
cred by the President today. Chair
man Alexander, of the House Commit
tee on Rivers and Harbors, was called
in TO discuss the river and harboF
bill reported out of the Senate commit
tee Yesterday Mr.. Alexander said that
the bill as amended carried only an
increase of about 100000 in cash, and
that this did not make the total bigger
than the President would approve.
A SSOOOO,0OO river and harbor bill
said Mr.. Alexander was a very modest
appropriation for these improvements
and one which the people could not do
otherwise than approve.
John c. Cobb. of Boston, president OF
the National Permanent Tariff Com
mission Association, called to see the
President for half an hour today and
to review with him the situation with
regard to the LOngwCrth bill now be-
fore the House.
President John II. Pruett, of tn
American Association of Master Mates
and Pilots presented about thirty mem
bers of his organization to the Presi-
dent today, and at the same time hand
eG the Executive 4 petition from the
pilots asking that their branch of the
marine business be recognized in the
appointment Cf supervising inspectors
of steam vessels.
Panama Fair Discussed.
President Taft today talked over the
rivalry between New Orleans and San
Francisco for the Panama exposition
with a number of his callers. No indi-
cation was given, however, as to which
city the President favors.
Representative Slemp of Virginia saw
the President for a few minutes today
and told him that the Republican
executive committee of Virginia had
postponed its meeting for thirty days.
The special Mexican ambassador, Sc
nor Casasus, sent here to thank the
President for the participation of the
United States in the Mexican centen-
NAL, called again this morning to pay
his compliments to the President.
Colonel Cecil Lyon. of Texas was at
the Executive Offices today in effort
Il interest the President in a plan to
establish q system of irrigation along
the Rio Granda river.
Secretaries MacVeaEh and Dickin-
son and Attorney General Wickersham
were in conference with the President
for half an hour today. Each denied
the new issue of Panama bonds was
talked over.
Secretary MacTeagh said that he ex-
pected to announce the name of the
successful bidder for the new Bureau
OF Engraving and Printing building in
few DAYS.