Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-01-30
PUBL|CANs FIND
REC|P ROC|TY
VI PERPLEX|NC
PROBLEM
Neither lnsurgent or Stalwart.
Taken Into Presidents Conf
dehce on Proposed Free
Trade Program,
TRADE EXPERTS ALONE
HAVE EXECUTIVE EAR
Majority Members Ask in
Amazement If Mr.. Taft Is De-
pending Alone on Support OF
Democrats.

pending Alone on Support OF
Democrats.
IBy Morning Journal Special Leased wirel
Washington. Jan. 29.-Embarrassed
Is a mild word to define the predica-
ment in which republican members of
congress have found themselves since
President Taft submitted his program
for reduction in the cost of living,
through the medium Of reciprocity
with Canada.
High protectionists, confident Of the
sympathy of the executive have not
hesitated to go to the White House
with predictions that the party will
be disrupted II the program is in
sisted upon Insurgent republicans.
mahy of whom have become unaccus-
toned to visit the White House at all,
have been pursuing the policy of
silence.
While some of them are ready to
admit that the proposed agreement 10
In line with their tariff arguments,
they fear to adopt it lest they bring
down on their heads the wrath Of
agriculturists.
President Taft appears to be about
the only one who is showing no con-
cern about the situation. He is said
to have met all arguments against the
agreement with determination to
disregard mere political objections,
whether they come from standpatters
or insurgents.
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
imand to promote legislation to put the
agreement into operation.
That President Taft realized fully
what arguments would be advanced by
protectionists against freedom of
trade relations with Canada is proved
by the fact that not single member
of the ways and means committee of
the house or the finance committee of
the senate was apprised in advance
as to what articles would be affected
by the agreement.
His consultations were held exclu-
sively with the government trade ex-
perts and only such of those believed
to be beyond political influence. In
nothing he has done since he has
been president has Mr.. Taft displayed
so much independent spirit.
Progressive republicans are deriving
some comfort from the fact that Sem
ator Aldrich and Speaker Cannon and
others Of the 'old guard apparently
were as much in the dark as any one
else about the presidents plans
The progressives admit the situation
Is mystifying. They knew they had
not been called in during the negotia-
tions with Canada's representatives
and now they learn the standpatters
We're equally neglected. e
The question has arisen how Presi-
dent Taft can bring about favorable
action on the agreement without hav-
ing the support of some faction Of his
own party in congress. Some want
20 know If Mr.. Taft is depending
wholly upon the known democratic
support for the program.
Those who have taken the trou-
BILE to talk with him about the matter
are said to have been told he counted
upon the people generally, the masses
who think he is trying to lower the
cost Of food, to create sentiment me-
cessary to induce congress to act.
At the dinner OF the Ohio society
here tomorrow night President Taft
Is to speak. 1t Is expected he will say
something about reciprocity. Politi-
cal leaders are wondering If he will
tell what he Intends to do If the pre-
sent congress fails to act on the agree
ment
There has been great deal of talk
of an extra session of reciprocity Leg
islation fails and It is known that
much of this talk was brought from
the White House by men who enjoy
confidential relations with the presi-
dent.
The tariff board. the bureau of
statistics and other bodies that are
analyalng constantly the economic
questions involved in the commerce
of this country are ready to fortify
President Taft with any figures he
may need in carrying on a campaign
OF education.
These bureaus already have pre-
pared much Information upon the re-
latlon OF export trade to commercial
reciprocity with Canada.
This Information shows that neither
country has any advantage in the
markets Of Europe. The United States
and Candada can get equal prices for
grains and other products of the soil,
unless one offers articles of superior
quality.
II IL recognized that the United
States always has found a good mar
ket abroad for agricultural products.
even wheat, In spite of the quality
grown In Canada.
The preparation being made by