The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-07-19
Behind the Reciprocity" Mask
FROM THE PHILADELPHIA NORTH AMERICAN, REP.

''Will Taft always will decide all
conflicts between property and man
in favor OF the Taft family millions" "
The thoughtful American public,
We believe, have come very general
ly to acceptance as truth Of the keen
comment of Dolliver. The irrefutable
history OF the scandai-spotted Taft adj
ministration confirms only too for
chilly Rule Number Two. For II Is
only by the use of these two rules
that We can present even q plausible
theory OF what inspired Mr.. Taft to
father the mock reciprocity measure.
The recital of this theory, however,
will not be In the nature Of q dis
covery by this newspaper.
The story has been repeated q
thousand times at the national CAPT
tai. But SO incredible did II seem
that even the strongest opponents of
the presidents course at first consid-
cred 1t preposterous. II IL no secret,
however. that to those who have most
closely studied the provisions OF the
Canadian agreement the story has
long ceased to be incredible.
We have always believed that one
OF the principal reasons which dom
mated the president In the launching
of the reciprocity plan was his be
lief that by 80 doing he was putting
in the hole" many progressive mem
bers of congress, who represented
agricultural states. But there was
bound to be something bigger back
OF what otherwise would have been
the cheapest sort Of political play.
i Beyond this reason. however, which
Mr.. Taft himself has practically ad
mitted, we could not advance any
other, unless the story so long bruit
ed about In Washington should b
true.
The running OF that story IL tha
Aldrich and the real powers behind
the Payne-Aldrich tarin bill hat
everything to do indirectly with tn,
Unprecedented reciprocity agree
ment and IN accustomed darkness
guided the hands that wrote the pro
visions.
The election last November con
yinced the ex-senate boss that hi
whole discredited measure was II
peril. The increased cost Of hvini
following quickly upon the passag
of the tariff bill demanded some NOV
to counteract the damage II had dom
to the party and TO the cause OF Pre-
lection.
Reciprocity, which Adrich had cor
sistently opposed since the days o
Blaine, seemed the safest sop TO tn
people. II could be heralded as
first sincere step toward promised
honest tariff revision. II could b
made to appear to insure a lowe
cost of living. II was popular Re
publican policy long denied recogni
ton. II would be good label to d
vert the people from awkward think
ing, and II might greatly enhance tn
popularity OF the scandal-smirche'
Republican administration.
II was a safe thing for Aldrich u
do. Because II could be worded-a
II has been--so that not a single fay
ored tariff schedule written for Ell
pert Aldrich by the trusts would b
affected In the least, except profit
ably.
II was hoped that 1t would aid I
re-elect President Taft. Becaus
President Taft even then wa
committed privately, as he now 1
publicly, to the Aldrich masked Ger
trail bank scheme, In comparison wit
which all other considerations, inclrt
ing the entire protective systor,
insignificant In the minds Of Aldric
and his masters.
Hence Taft reciprocity! So runs tn
tale credited since last November !
Washington,
These conclusions may not be true
But men have been hanged upon eli
cumstantial evidence less stront
And whole communities, after havin
followed the impartial public trial 9
such defendants, have unanimousl
approved the procession to the sea
fold.