The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-05-20


ers' free list" bill as an amendment
Altogether the outlook for the
agreement is less encouraging than
the administration would like and II
1t Is to pass without the amendments
the object of which is to destroy it.
active work will have to be done in
its behalf.
Good Witnesses Are Needed
The real sentiment of the country
with respect to 1t must be made ap-
parent to the senate and this can be
effectively done competent nt-wNtiitt It
nesses who are able to discuss the
effect of each reduction upon Amer
ican interests. The witnesses who
will appear must understand that, in
doing so, they will be subjected to
rough handling both by Republican
and Democratic members Of the COM
mittee.
This was the experience of Cover
nor Chase E. Osborn of Michigan, who
voluntarily appeared in order to Off
set the stream of condemnation that
has poured upon the agreement. Mr..
Osborn explained to the committee
that he represented no interest other
than the interests of the whole coun-
try; that he was not a candidate for
reelection to the Office he fills and
that he wished to present to the rep
resentatives of the senate the facts
which he had cleaned from per-
sonal investigation of conditions in
the Canadian northwest.
Indeed, the Michigan governor was
able to compare, as a result of his
personal observation. not only the
conditions between the United States
and Canada, but between the Unit
ed States and its competitors through
out the world.
Urges Friendship Of Canada
Governor Osborn made masterly
plea for the agreement on sentiment
tai as we'll as economic grounds,
pointing out that it was to the inter-
est of the American people to have
a friend instead of foe upon the
northern frontier. He cited the fact
that the enemy which Napoleon made
of Spain opened the latter to his foes
and suggested that history might re-
peat itself through the use of Japan
for example, could make of Canada
in attacking the United States.
He believed if the agreement were
rejected the Canadian people would
not forgive or forget the insult and
he deplored the possibility of he
maintenance Of an armed peace along
a frontier of 1000 miles.
Most of the committee listened to
the governor with evident disapproval
and questions were put to him in a
manner verging on rudeness, design.
ed to embarrass him and cause him
to make statements which would de-
stroy the effect Of his argument Sen
ator McCumber of North Dakota was
offensive in this respect,
though he was assisted by Senator
Gallinger of New Hampshire and Sen
ator Bailey Of Texas.
Favorable Report Not Possible.
It has been evident all alt,-sg that
the finance committee was opposed to
the reciprocity agreement, but it was
not believed it would be as hostile
as the hearing has shown. The most
the administration can hope for from
this committee is report.
Three Republicans have express
ed to the president their purpose to
vote for the greement-Penrose of
Cullom of Illinois and
Lodge of Massachusetts. Only three
Democratic members favor the legis-
Of Missouri, Williams
Of Mississippi and Kern of Indiana.
Unless more Republicans join the
three named, a motion to make an
lnfavorable report will prevail.