Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-04-07
CONGRESS GETS
TAFT'S MESSAGE
Brief Document is Transmitted to
Country'S Lawmakers.
IS ALL ABOUT RECIPROCITY
President Tells of Negotiations Lead
Ing to the Canadian Agreement,
and Asks Early Action Con-
frnns the Pact.

Washington, April 5.-President
Tafts message to the 62nd congress
In extraordinary session was trans
mitted to both branches of congress
today. The message in full was as
follows:
To the senate and house of repre-
sentat1Ves: | transmitted to the six
ty-nrst congress on January 9th, last,
the text Of the reciprocity trade
agreement which had been negotiated
under my direction by the secretary
or state with the representatives OF
the Dominion Of Canada. This agree
ment was the contamination of ear
nest efforts extending over a period
OF nearly a year, on the part OF both
governments to effect a trade ar
rangement which, supplementing as
1t did the amicable settlement of vari-
Gus questions Of a diplomatic and po-
Htical character that had been
reached, would mutually promote
commerce and would strengthen the
friendly relations now existing.
The agreement in it's intent and in
Its terms was purely economic and
commercial. While the general sub
1ect was under discussion by the com
m1ssioners, l felt assured that tho
sentiment Of the people OF the United
States was such that they would well
come measure which would result
In the Increase Of trade on both sides
OF the boundary line, would open up
the reserve productive resources Of
Canada to the great mass of our Own
consumers on advantageous condi.
tons and at the. same time offer a
broader outlet for the excess products
of our farms and many Of our indus
tries. Details regarding a negotiation
or this kind necessarily could not
be made public while the conferences
were pending. However, the full text
of the agreement with the accom-
panying correspondence and data ex-
planning both it's purpose and It's
scope became known to the people
through the message transmitted to
congress.
Approved by the People.
1t was Immediately apparent that
the ripened fruits of the careful labors
of the commissioners met with wide
spread approval. This approval has
been strengthened by further consid-
Grafton Of the terms of the agreement
In all their particulars The volume
of support which has developed shows
that It's broadly national scope is
fully appreciated and Is responsive to
the popular will
The house Of representatives of the
S1xty-frst congress, after the full text
of the arrangement with all the de-
tails in regard to the different provi-
sfons had been before it, as they were
before the American people, passed
the bill confirming the agreement as
negotiated and as transmitted to con-.
gress. This measure failed Of action
message of the 26th of January, I fully
set forth the character of the agree
ment and emphasized it's appropriate
ness and necessity as a response to
the mutual needs of the people OF the
two countries, as well as It's common
advantages. | now lay that message
and the reciprocal trade agreement,
as integrally q part of the present
message, before the Stxty-second con-
gress and again invite earnest atten-
ton to the consid erations therein ex.
pressed.
Early Action Is Urged.
! am constrained in Difference to
popular sentiment and with a realiz-
ing sense of my duty to the great
masses Of our people whose welfare is
involved, to urge upon your considera-
ton early action on this agreement
In concluding the negotiations the
representatives that the two coun-
tries bound themselves to use their
utmost efforts to bring about the tar
If changes provided for In the agree
ment by concurrent legislation at
Washington and Ottawa. l have felt
it my duty, therefore, not to ac-
quiesce in relegation of action until
the opening Of the congress in De-
cember, but to use my constitutional
prerogative and convoke the Sixty
second congress In extra session In
order that there shall be no break Of
continuity in considering and acting
upon this most important subject,
WILLIAM II. TAFT.
The White House, April 5, 1911.