The Washington herald., 1911-04-20

Although more than seventy-five
years of age, Uncle Joe" Cannon
demonstrated in the House yester-
day that he is still full of vim and
vitality. For more than three hours
and a half the former Speaker de-
claimed against the Canadian trade
agreement. He attacked it in Wig
orous manner, charging, in effect,
that it represented an attempt to
abandon the old policy of protec-
ton. Mr.. Cannon coupled his as
sault on the administration measure
with high tribute to the personal
qualities, ability, and patriotism of
President Taft.
RESENTFUL AT PRESS.
That the battle-scarred hero from Dam
willie is still resentful over alleged unfair
| treatment or the part of a section of the
references to the publishers who made
| an effort a year or SO ago to induce the
Republican House leaders to consent to
| a report on a pending bill placing wood
pulp and print paper on the free list. In
this connection he made the charge that
Herman Ridder, of New York, appearing
for the publishers, made the threat at
the time that unless the House leaders
responded to the demand. he (Ridder)
would support Mr.. Bryan for the Presi-
dency and contribute 100000 to his cleo
ton.
Uncle ice had a spat with Representa-
tive Underwood. of Alabama. chairman
of the Committee on Ways and Means.
He referred in a rather pointed manner
to the fact that the United States Steel
Corporation has large interests in the
district represented by Mr.. Underwood.
Mr.. Cannon declared that the great steel
corporation has so large an interest in
the district represented by my friend
Underwood) that 1t is very desirous that
this should pass
No Personal Reflection.
Mr.. Cannon said he had no thought OF
rejecting upon Mr.. Underwood peIson-
ally.
Mr.. Cannon also crossed swords with
Representative Hill, of Connecticut, a
Republican supporter of the Canadian
agreement.
The pending agreement, Mr.. Cannon,
said. was a good thing for Canada but
a bad thing for the United States. 'You
say that we must pass this bill as it is,
because II it is amended Canada won't
have it. Who is legislating for the
United States, we or Canada? You may
pass this bill, but If disaster comes on
account of its operation the American
sovereign has a keen eye and a long
recollection, as you will find.
so far as 1 am concerned" continued
Mr.. Cannon, without regard to what
others may think. will follow my
judgment If I go out of political life.
will keep the Republican faith, and after
the majority, substantially in solid pha-
lanx, vitalizes this outrageous proposition,
I would sooner take my chances from the
more selfish standpoint in 1872, keeping
the faith of the Republican party
Not Initiated in House.
Mr.. Cannon objected to the way the
Canadian bill had been initiated. The
Constitution provided, he pointed out. that
revenue bills must originate in the House
of Representatives. The President had
the authority to recommend to Congress.
In this case the constitutional law had
been reversed. The President originated
the Canadian bill, asking Congress to
ratify 1t.
Mr.. Cannon said he had no word Of
criticism to make of Mr.. Taft personally,
but he reserved the right to follow his
own judgment on public questions.
The former Speaker was in fine trim.
He spoke in a very earnest manner, de-
claring that the occasion was a great
one. In my judgment" he said in be-
ginning his address, mot since the war
with Spain and all that followed 1t OF
benefit and of burden at its close, has
there been considered by the House so
bill as the one now pending"