The Washington times., 1911-01-27
Will Be Favorably Received
BY Congress, Is Formal
Opinion.
STRONG OPPOSITION
FELT AT CAPITOL
Presidents Callers Not So Optimis-
tic In Views Over Re-
ciprocity Pact.

The White House today is formally
of the opinion that the Canadian re-
ciprocity treaty will be favorably re-
ceived by Congress. AS was expect
ed, there is much opposition to the
measure at this time. This, according
to the Presidents view, is to be expected
at this stage of the proceedings.
Secretary Norton said today that prac-
tically all the assurances received at
the White House since the publication
of the treaty's text were favorable. He
said that there might be some misgiv-
ing as to the purport of some of the
provisions, but that just as soon as
the whole instrument is understood, the
President expects to rally enough votes
to its support to pass it through both
houses of Congress.
This is the view of the Administration.
The visitors to the White House were
hardly so optimistic. Only one or two
of them who called were out and out in
favor of the treaty. Some of them were
frankly opposed to it, others wanted to
hear from home, others still did not
know what the measure provided for,
and one or two thought the time be-
tween now and adjournment too short
Opposition Expected.
Secretary Of Agriculture James Wilson
said that he locked for stubborn opposi-
tior from some Of the grain sections of
the West and Northwest. He said that
these people might conceive a grievance
against the measure and he rather ex-
pected that they would. AS for the Cali
fornia fruit growers. the Secretary was
OF the opinion that they should favor
the treaty. He said that their market
was expanded by it, and that they would
profit heavily, in his judgment.
Chairman Tawney of the Appropria-
tions Committee of the House, said: II
am certain that the barley growers of
my section are against the treaty. Its
operation will simply serve to transfer
the barley markets from Chicago, Mil
waukee, and st. Louis, to Oswego, n.
Y, and that is not pleasant for US
of the Northwest to contemplate. |, |
too, have some doubts about the pas
sage of the measure because of the
lack Of time. This may result in its
going over until the next Congress"
Esch's Comment.
Representative Esch of Wisconsin had
about the same comment to make on |
the treaty. He said he expected a strong, J
vigorous kick from the barley growers |
of the Northwest, but he did not say ,
whether or not he would respond to |
this kick by opposing the treaty.
Representative Hayes of California, |
who comes from the fruit-growing Sec F.
tion of that State, said that the people |
of his State would probably be pleased !
with the arrangement, which permits |
them to get into the Canadian markets I
with their products. He said that he |
might be inclined to vote for the treaty |
on that account.
AS he was leaving the White House |
today Representative BoutelL of Him |
ois said: This treaty will serve to |
test the sincerity of the Northwestern |
and Western free traders in Congress. |
This is about the only reflection I |
have to make today. We have heard |
free trade and low tariff from some of |
these radical fellows for long time. |
1t will be interesting now to see what |
they will do with the opportunity be-
fore them of voting for this policy"
View in Kansas.
Representative Campbell of Kansas
expects his people to oppose the treaty
on account of the provisions relating |
to grain and gypsum. He said that |
the raisers of these products in his
State would probably demand that /
their Representatives in Congress
vote against the whole measure If |
necessary in order to protect their in
tereStS. II
One of the few callers upon the
President today who was f1at-footed in
advocacy of the treaty was Representa-
tive Gillette of Massachusetts. He said
that he was for the whole thing regard
less of the provision in it taking the
protection off of the fish industry of his
State.
Uncle Lon" Livingston, Congressman
from Georgia, said that he could not see
reason why the treaty should not be
acted on at this session. He said that
he believed the committees of the House
and Senate would hurry it out, and that
II pressed. both houses would get action.
Strong Disapproval.
simultaneously with the announcement
of the reciprocity arrangement, a cho-
rus of strong expressions of disapproval
has arisen from the Capitol.
It is beyond question that it will be
utterly impossible to get any legisla-
tion through Congress at this session
to put the negotiations into effect.
Whether there will ultimately be such
legislation, is another question, but 1t
looks doubtful whether the arrangement
can ever be ratified in Washington.
This is not to say that the plan of
reciprocal concessions does not have
support, for it does. But there are dis
tinct notes Of opposition from the agri-
cultural States. The fishermen Of New
England are displeased and will have
some weight in Congress, especially with
members from the coast regions Of the
New England States. High tariff sup
porters are not enthusiastic over the
plan and some of the low tariff men OPP
pose 1t because it hits at agricultural
products, as they believe.
Indications are the Democrats will
quite generally support the arrange
ment. II
1t is learned today that President
Taft is going to work for the needed
legislation. He is going to keep ham