The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-01-30
DOINGS In
WASHINGTON
Members Getting Used to
Reciprocity
N0SPECIAL SESSION AHEAD
Bill for Reciprocity Was introduced in
the House by Congressman Nc
Call--Its Fate in
Doubt
N0SPECIAL SESSION AHEAD

Washington, Jan. 30.-There were
signs Saturday that some members Of
Congress who have been fabbergasted
at the extent Of the Canadian reciprocity
agreement were beginning to recover
from the shock. Two causes will evil
IDENTIFY operate to reduce certain
amount of the already expressed opposi-
tiou to the treaty There is a growing
belief that the defenders of various in
dustries whose ruin has been predicted
are in reality more scared than likely
to be hurt In the second place. there is
what may be called a half unconscious,
vet deep-seated, conviction that the time
for reducing the height of the tariff
wall which has been built around the
country GAN not longer be deferred.
Those who complain because their inter-
ests are the first to suffer can find solace
in the generally accepted view that this
reciprocity agreement will inevitably
lead TO further reductions or removals
Of duties all along the line in the space
of few years.
The chief danger that confronts the
administration is the degree to which
the insurgents from the agricultural sec
tons of the West and Northwest may
be able to turn opinion against the agree
ment, on the ground that it has been
negotiated in the interests Of the rich
and wicked manufacturing industries of
the East. and so be able to justify them
selves for opposing the general policy
for which they have previously clamored,
There is no doubt that the insurgents
are "in bad but the present expecta-
ton seems to be that in the end they
will largely be forced to support the
treaty, satisfying their constituents
meanwhile with assurances that reduc-
tions in the duties which at present
protect eastern manufacturers will fol-
low at the first opportunity. That such
reductions will follow must be the con-
clusion OF anyone who makes a reason
able study of the present situation and
its consequences.
The question whether or not the reel
procity agreement shall be actually
pushed at this session has not vet
reached the stage where it can be intel
ligently discussed 1t is too early to
venture more than guess whether or
not the energy which the administration
might eXpend for such prompt action
would prove wasted and would be better
spent in pressing some Of the other
measures in which the administration is
interested. Various reports are current
as to the course which the president win
pursue, but Mr., Taft can be credited with
sufficient wisdom for waiting for further
light on the situation before making up
his mind 1t will be easier to tell what
can be accomplished, but at present the
prevailing opinion is that it win prove
impossible to secure action at this SEES
sion and that the president will not
call special session after March 4. al
though rumors of his intention to do so
continue to be spread 1t is not unlikely
that President Taft win escape being put
TO the test on his reported determination
to veto any measure increasing the pres
pnt pension outlay The congestion OF
legislation in the Senate continues to be
so extreme that legislation of any par
ticular sort outside of the appropriation
bills may easily fall by the way. The I
various committees are heavily burdened /
with work for the remaining weeks of
the session.