The Detroit times., 1911-01-30

tention to their troubles. He wants
the program carried out regardless OF
any objections from either standpat-
tiers or progressiyes.
The high protectionists already
lave registered at the white house
their fear that the plan will result in
the disruption of the party. None OF
the so-called insurgents has confer
red with the president. but some OF
them confess they are mystified as 10
how the matter will end. They arc
ready TO admit that the proposed
agreement is in line with their tariff
arguments in the past, but they fear
to adopt II lest they bring upon their
heads the wrath of the farmers.
Senator Beverage of Indiana is one
who is highly pleased with
the proposal. In an interview he DC
claTed all classes of men In the United
States would profit by such a tariff
change, and declared he would do all
possible to have the presidents pro.
posal acted upon favorably by the
senate during this session. Mr.. Bey-
eridge scoffed at the claim made by
the high protectionist men that the
~
change.
That President Taft realized fully
what arguments would be advanced
by protectionists against freedom of
trade relations with Canada is shown
by the fact that not a single member
of the ways and means committee of
the house or the finance committee of
the senate was apprised in. advance
as t., what articles would be affected
by the treaty. His consultations were
held exclusively with the government
trade experts, and only with such OF
those as were believed TO be beyond
Political influence.
Progressive Republicans are deriv-
ing some comfort from the fact that
Senator Aldrich and Speaker Cannon
and numerous others OF the "Old
Guard" apparently were as much IN
the dark as any one, about the presi-
dents plans.
The question which has arisen ma
turally IL, How can President Taft
expect to bring about favorable action
on the agreement without having the
support OF some faction of his own
party in congress?" Some want 10
know IL Mr. Taft is depending wholly
upon the known Democratic support
for the program.
Those who have taken the trouble
to talk with the president about the
matter are said to have been told
that he counted upon the people gen
orally, the masses who think he Is
trying to lower the cost OF food. 10
create sentiment necessary to induce
congress to act.
The preparation that is being made
by the president for a contest with
congress clearly shows that some
thing more powerful than mere poll
tics must be used to combat him
Yet the fight Is beginning to loom
up as a political Issue.
Some members OF the senate and
house who would be expected TO take
the lead for the denomination OF Mr..
Taft in 1912 may now be found TO
,be lukewarm I'm their support of him
IL the president should deem il in
cumbent upon him to call an extra
session OF congress and submit the
reciprocity agreement to the Demo
Gratis of the next house IL Is said tina.
still others OF the Republican party
may be alienated.
This phase of the situation was dis
cussed by one of the presidents
friends today. He said that IL Mr.
Taft had given any thought 10 hts
political future in advocating the Can.
adam agreement IL had not been man.
ifcsted Ia his conversations. At tho
same time this friend declared that
he believed the president had a great
deal to gain, even in politics. by car.
Iying or n fight to decrease the cost
of living.
The Canadian reciprocity agree
ment was brought up in the senate
today when Senator Cullom rep,
Ill., said the presidents message had
been referred TO the finance commit.
tee, but should be recalled and sent
10 the committee on foreign -rela-
tons Hepburn rep, Wyo) pro.
tested, stating that when tariff bill
could be made by agreement and ar.
rangement IL destroyed the usefulness
OF great party and destroyed the
functions OF congress.
Bailey Dem, Texas inquired of
Cullom II this arrangement was made
pnde rany general or special law.
Cullom answered I'm the negative and
Bailey said the president had no au-
thority TO make agreements or ar.
ments"--nothing but treaties.
He said the senate should have moth
ing To do with this matter until the
house had acted upon IL.
Smith rep. Mich) created much
merriment by saying the senate has
a committee on Canadian relations
and the agreement might we'll 20
there. Finally the agreement was re
called and sent 10 the committee on
foreign relations.