The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-14
THEY DON'T KNOW
Senator Curtis Says the People
Are Not Informed
Regarding acknowledgements
Reciprocity Measure.
HE is OPPOSED TO 1T.
Gives His Reasons in a Speech
Before the Senate.
Our NeighbOr's Gain Would Be
Our Loss, He Says.

Washington, June 14.-With the
prospect of daily sessions beginning at
noon and continuing as long as the
various senators who wish to be heard
have anything to say the senate today
began the long discussion Of the Ca
madam reciprocity bill. Senator Me-
Cumber, of North Dakota, took the
floor Immediately after the senate as
sembled and vigorously opposed the
measure. Not more than dozen Re
publicans were in their seats while
only half as many Democrats were
present.
Comparatively few speeches are ex-
pected from senators favoring the
measure. They say they do not want
to delay the vote by talking
The loss to the United States through
the ratification Of the Canadian recir-
rocity agreement would, in the opinion
of Senator Curtis, be proportionate to
Canada's gain. The Kansas senator
today addressed the senate in opposi-
ton to reciprocity. Mr.. Curtis declared
that the people generally were not in
formed regarding the pending iegisla-
ton and that they should be given op-
portunity to study the subject until
the regular session Of congress Mr.
Curtis. quoted figures to snow that the
United States trade with Canada last
wear had amounted to $138,552,21S and
maintained that this country should let
well enough alone
TT would" he said, ''be unwise to
return to the disastrous policy which
was followed from 1854 to 1866 Our
trade relations with Canada are now
very satisfactory to the United states,
SO why should we change them! BY
this agreement we are to open to them
our sDlendid market of 10000, 900 people
and in return they give us the market
of 5000 600 people and this, too. mar
ket which is now largely controlled by
our producers. There is no better nome
market in the world than ours, ana
why should we part with any porucn
of If without an equivalent return?
He also contended that to open up
our markets to Canadian products
would mean that a large number or
people would be attracted to CANADA py
velopment, Improvement and produc-
| ton would follow.
"It is estimated" said the senator,
"that there are 200, ,000, 600 acres of wheat
| land in western Canada not yet cultl-
! waited which would yield 5000, 100000
bushels of wheat annually. Do you
, think the opening up of these vast
tracts would help the wheat growers CT
the United States?"
| Quoting Sir Wilfrid Laurier, as say
! ing that the object of the reciprocity
| compact was to open the door Of the
| American market to the Canadian pro-
! ducer, Mr. Curtis declared that the ex
preston should be enough to convince
| any one in the United States that the
| agreement could not benefit the people
! of the United States. "If they are to
secure our market of 80 200, 900 people
for their products without injury to
any of their industries he said, then
what will the giving up of the market
do to our people? It seems there is but
one answer and that is it will injure
our great industries. Do not We lose
what they gain?''
| Conference With Taft.
Washington, June 14.-After a con-
| ference with President Taft at the