The Cairo bulletin., 1911-01-30
PRESIDENT TAFT
STANDING FIRM
tiE APP7EhENDED POLITICAL
ARGUMENTS AGAINST REcI-
PRociTY AGREEMENT.
LEADERS ARE LUK[WARM
Who Might Have 5een Expected to
Boom Taft For denomination
'~s Cannon, AIdrich and
Others Mystified

Washington, Jan. 49, Embarrassed
is a mild wcrd to describe the pre-
dicaf1ent In which the Republican
members of congress have found
themselves since President Taft sub,
mitted his Program for reduction
the cost Of living through the
medium of commercial reciprocity
with Canada.
High protectionistB, confident Of the
sympathy of the executive, have not
hesitated to go TO xhe White House
with predictions that the party wi /
be disrupted If the policy is insisted
upon. Insurgent Republicans, who
have become unaccustomed to visit
the White House at all. have been
pursuing the policy Of silence, while
some Of them are ready to admit that
while the proposed program is in line
with their tariff arguments in the
past they fear to adopt 1t lest they
bring upon their heads the wrath Of
the agriculturists.
President Taft appears to be about
the only one who is showing no con-
cern over the situation. He is said
to have met all arguments against
the agreement with the determine.
ton to disregard mere political OBJ
jections whether they come from the
stand1patter or insurgents.
Believes He IS Right.
He believes what he has recon-
mended to be right, and he has made
1t clear that SO long as he continues
so to believe he cannot be dissuaded
from using every force at his com
mand TO advance legislation to put
The agreement into effect Thai
President Taft realized fully wha
arguments would be advanced by
protectionists against freedom Of
trade relations with Canada Is proven
by the fact that not a single mem
Der of the ways and means commit.
tee Of the house or the finance com.
mittee of the senate was apprised in
advance as to what articles would
be affected by the treaty. His con.
sultations wre held exclusively with
the government paid experts anG
only such of those believed to be be-
yond political influence. In nothing
he has done since he has been presl.
dent has Mr.. Taft displayed so much
independence.
Progressive Republicans are derlv
ing some comfort from the fact that
Senator Aldrich and Speaker Cannon
and others of the "old guard" ap.
parently were as much in thed ark as
any one about the presidents plan,
The progressives admit that the sit
uation Is mystifying.
There has been a great deal OF
talk of an extra session If the reci-
procity arrangement fails, and 1t is
parently were as much in the dark as
brought from the White House by
men who enjoy confidential relations
with the president.
His Support DwindIing?
Some members of the senate and
house who would be expected to-
take the lead for the denomination
of Mr.. Taft in 1912 may now be
found to be lukewarm in their sup
port of him.
The introduction by Mr.. Mccall OF
Massachusetts,, of bill to carry out
the terms Of the agreement indicates
that there will be little delay in
bringing in the measure from the
ways and means committee.
The roll of the house will be
called on Tuesday in order that mem
bers may answer New Orleans" or
."San Francisco" in expressing
preference as to which city shall
hold an exposition in 1915 in celebra-
ton Of the opening Of the Panama
canal.
Monday the Lorimer case, the reso
luton on the subject Of direct votes
for United States senator's, and ap
preparations, will be the order.
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