Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-03-16
CALLS CONGRESS
BEST SINCE WAR
Taft Speaks Before Commercial
Body at Atlanta.
SAYS RECIPROCITY WILL WIN
President Declares Ratification of
Treaty With Japan Was Greatest
Achievement Of Sixty
First Session.

Atlanta, Cain a notable address
before the Southern Commercial con-
gress in this city President William
H. Taft pleaded with the young men
of the south to take up the political
issues of the day from a broad and
liberal standpoint, but cautioned them
that all sectionalism and narrow par
tisanship should be eliminated.
Come fully into our national com
munion," said the president, with the
patriotic purpose Of stimulating the
progress of our civilization in every
right direction, maintaining our coun-
try's prosperity and accommodating its
wealth, but always in subordination
to higher ethical standards and to
the promotion Of righteousness and
justice"
The president reviewed briefly the
accomplishments of the Sixty-frst
congress, declaring that in its three
sessions just closed it had enacted
more helpful legislation than any con-
gress since the Civil war
Mr.. Taft asserted that the greatest
accomplishment Of the short session,
ended March 4, was the ratification
Of the japanese treaty. The greatest
disappointment, he said, was the fail
ure of congress to ratify the reciproc-
ity agreement with Canada In this
connection he referred to his action
in calling an extra session of con-
gress to convene on April 4.
MY opinion is" SAID Mr.. Taft, that
a majority of both houses, disregard
ing party lines, will seize a great ma
tional opportunity and promptly ratify
the agreement before proceeding to
other business"
Here the president paused for a
moment. Evidently he turned over in
his mind the Democratic statement
that several of the tariff schedules
would be considered at the extra ses-
sion.
If" he added significantly, at be
deemed wise or necessary to proceed
to other business"
Perhaps unconsciously the presi-
dent uttered the hope that the Demo
Gratis of the new house might not
deem it necessary to go into other
matters than the ratification of the
Canadian agreement. How far his
influence in that direction will carry
weight remains to be seen.
In the hope, perhaps, that tariff leg
islation may be avoided at the extra
session, the president pledged him
self to furnish to the Democratic
house at its regular meeting in De
cember next report from the tariff
commission on schedule K of the
Payne-Aldrich act-of the wool and
woolens schedule.
At the close of The speechmaking
roll call of the states resulted in
$27 900 being subscribed for the con
Jinuation of the work of the south
ern congress. When the state of Mis-
souri, was reached in the midst of the
call, President Taft seized the gavel
from the hands Of former Gov. D. f..
Francis Of that state, and, taking
charge of the convention, called on
Missouri for a subscription. Mr..
Francis, caught unawares, responded
that he was not authorized to sub
scribe anything for his states com
mercial bodies
I'VE are not from Missouri, but we
must be shown" replied the pres
ident. What will Missouri do?"
Il will subscribe 81 900 personally.
and am sure my state will assume
as much more" said Mr.. Francis.
Among the other speakers were
John Hays Hammond, Bernard N.
Baker, Baltimore; Surgeon General
Walter Wyman, Gov Woodrow Will
son of New Jersey, and Secretary of
War Dickinson.