Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-27
TRADE BILL IS NEXT
Canadian Reciprocity Returns
Soon to Lime|ight.
TROUBLE Turks IN SENATE
Measure Expected to Pass House in
Quick Order.
ANXIOUS EYES ON CANADA
Friends Of Agreement Fear Dominion
Parliament Will Adjourn
Without Action.
TROUBLE Turks IN SENATE
ANXIOUS EYES ON CANADA

| win congress TO convene, In extra
ordinary session one week from tomor-
row for the especial purpose Of acting
upon the Canadian reciprocity pact.
practical considerations in connection
with that legislation are engaging the
attention of statesmen now in Wash
| ington. Unless otherwise determined
by the democrats Of the House in eau
Gus next Saturday night, the reciproc-
ity bill. unincumbered by any other
provisions. will be sent to the Senate
at an early date for action.
That the bill il to have hard sled
ding in the upper chamber IL generally
| conceded. While several Of its most
powerful opponents, such as Hale. Bur-
| rows. Flint and Carter, will be absent,
| there will still be present strong op-
position from the progressive republic
ans Of the middle west.
Situation in Canada.
This element may be reinforced by
a situation in Canada tending to
| their advantage. The Canadian par
liament's session will close March 81,
| and If 1T should end without action
upon the pact, the opposition in this
country would claim that non-action as
an asset in its objections to the trade
| agreement. In Canada Premier Laurier
| is devoting his attention at this time
principally to passing the supply bills.
and there has recently been cessation
Of efforts in behalf of reciprocity
The friends in Congress of Canadian
reciprocity are watching developments on
the other side of the border with anxiety.
They would greatly deplore the spectacle
OF the Canadian parliament adjourning
without action just as the American Con-
gress was assembling in extraordinary
session to take up the agreement.
Senator Cummins of Iowa will proba-
bly, lead what will be in effect one wing
of the opposition to reciprocity. although
not openly so avowed: Senator Cum
minis has recently declared his attitude
toward the proposition, and while he does
not say that he will fight President Taft
policy. he has clearly indicated his inten-
ton to amend the plan If possible.
Would Prefer a Treaty.
In the first place. he would like to have
the reciprocity pact presented in q treaty
| instead Of being embodied in bill. That
will not be done; a treaty would require
| two-thirds Of the Senate to ratify. while
a bill carrying into effect the tariff re-
auctions necessitates only majority to
pass it.
| Senator Cummins' most active efforts,
however. will be directed toward secur-
| ing lowering of the American duties on
| Canadian manufactured goods.
IF we put the farmer into free COM
petition with Canada said Senator Cum
minis, in discussing this subject, common
| Justice and common decency require that
he shall buy in market as free as that
in which the Canadian farmer buys. To
me it is shocking perversion Of a sacred
principle to assert that the farmer should
| suffer free competition in everything he
sells and endure high protection in every
| thing he buys. and l now say that In
have to give the farmer the benefit of
| free trade with CanaGa in the chief
! things that he must buy at the same
time and in the same instrument that
| imposes upon him free trade in the things
| he produces for SALE
Will Seek Amendments.
Senator Cummins will seek to amend
the reciprocity bill by admitting free of
| duty from Canada various manufactured
articles Of common use. These will in
clude farm implements, harness, leather
manufactures, boots and shoes, WOODEN
goods and clothing, cotton cloth. nails.
| tools, hardware, etc.
| 1t Is contended that such amendment
can be made to the bill without further
| consulting with Canada, as it will be
| merely lowering of our tariff gates to
| tHoSc pIOuuCtS. liz HQWSveT, the amend
ments should provide that these articles
are to be admitted only after similar ar
ticles manufactured in the United States
| are admitted into Canada free of duty,
the trade agreement would have to go
back to the negotiations.
Senator Cummins' plan will be met with
the objection that 1t cannot be put into
operation without opening the way for
| other nations to demand like treatment
| under the most favored nations clause
OF their treaties with the United States.
Raises Delicate Question.
This government has contended that a
| treaty of reciprocity with one nation does
not violate the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. clause
as against any other country. If other
countries want similar rates let them
propose a treaty, and give for value re-
ceived.
However, 1t is quite different PROPOSE
ton, 1t is argued, II the United States
proposes to give Canada free entry for
her manufactured articles without con-
sderation and gratuitously, and the ques-
ton might readily arise whether France
and Germany could not demand the same
treatment.
These are considerations which will be
carefully considered by the Senate COM
bill comes before it. Senator Cummins
will probably be a member of the COM
mittee.
II am for free paper" Senator Cum
minis declared in the course of his state
ment outlining his attitude toward reci-
procity; mot only paper of the value of
4 cents per pound or less, but of all
paper
Il am for 1t because the paper makers
OF this country have abused the privilege
wheich has heretofore been conferred upon
Them
The committee on finance will be re-
organized in the extra session, six of its
members having retired March 4. Aldrich,
RnrroWQ Ha1e Flint of ha