Omaha daily bee., 1911-06-28
FREE TRADE WITH CANADA
Senator Townsend Takes Advanced
Stand on Reciprocity Bill.
IMPROVE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER
Michigan Insursent says This would
he of More Benefit 20 the
Farmers Than Panama


! WASHINGTON, June 27.-Defense of the
J Canadian reciprocity agreement was made
/ on the floor Of the senate today by SEN
ator Townsend Of Michigan. republican
Not only would he lend his support to the
/ bill now under consideration, the senator
| declared. but he would have treaty which
would have included all Of the products Of
Canada and the United States on the free
list. Careful and unbiased study had con-
WINGED him that the agreement would bene-
fit both countries.
But / am convinced" he added, that
reciprocity with Canada can never be the
greatest success until manufactured as
! we'll as natural products meet no customs
walls in passing between the two coun-
| tries"
| Senator Townsend argued that Il was
the duty OF the United States and for its
best good to enter into the freest trade
| relations possible with those nations where
the conditions of living and industry are
| similar to those of our own country.
Canada. he contended, came in this class.
Personally, he said, he would have
''striven long and hard" for absolute free
trade between the two. countries, but he
added that he would vote for the measure
in it's present form as an agreement to
begin taking down the useless wall be-
tween parts Of the same Industrial field. y
Improve the ct. Lawrence.
For the purpose of increasing the bene-
fits which he held would flow from the
agreement. Senator Townsend proposed an
amendment to the bill providing that the
president should try to form an agreement
with Canada looking to the improvement
Of the st. Lawrence river from the great
lakes to the Atlantic ocean. "a waterway
of sufficient depth and width TO accom-
modate deep wafer, sea-going vessels OF
the common use and benefit OF both coun-
tries and in fprtherance of reciprocal
trade relations between them" This pro-
ject he declared, would confer greater
benefits on both countries than those
which flow from any tariff, and would be
the contamination Of the greatest contem-
plated benefits in trade"
ITO me-" said Senator Townsend, "this
is a greater proposition than the Panama
canal. 1t may be a dream but some day
the dream will come true 1t may come
in the distant future, but It will come.
The project is so big with possibilities
that it should be given the most serious
thought and consideration by the two ma
tlons Wnlcn are, we nope entering upon
an era OF good will and amity."
Nothing for Farmer to Fear.
The farmer had nothing to fear from the
agreement, the speaker contended. ait
cannot harm the farmers" he declared.
1T is the beginning of policy which ]
have long. favored, viz. A change of
tariff conditions in conformity with the
well understood theory Of, protection The
! items in this measure are clearly under
stood. We know what. the cost Of produc-
! ton is here and in Canada, AS fast as the
facts can sbeS0btaiped the tariff schedules
should be revised and. q scientific system
lot duties established i want the wool,
Iscptton. steel ana other scheduies revised
tif a. determination OF facts disclose that
lsseVision is needed a II win not, however
close my eyes and proceed .bhndIy in the
matter. l do not believe the people have
repudiated the principle of protection;
they have protested against old unscien-
tific methods.
To-day II all the surplus wheat of Can.
ada found an outlet through American
markets 1t would not, in my opinion. ma
terially affect the price. II we used Can
ada's export we could and would export
more Of our own crop. But we will not
use it. The surplus from both countries
will continue to find its market abroad
except in case OF a crop failure In either
| country. Then the other country will
supply, as It ought TO supply. the de-
ficiency.