The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-04-05
To Pass the Canadian Reci-
procity Agreement
SPECIAL MESSAGE TODAY
Pleased at Widespread Approval Of the
Agreement Among the People of
the United States, and He
Urges Early Action.

Washington, D. c., April 5.-Presi-
Taft today transmitted to Congress
message urging early action on the
reciprocity agreement with Canada. He
stated that he based this passage upon
Difference TO popular sentiment and
duty to the great masses of the Ameri-
can people.
The message follows:
/ transmitted to the Sixty-frst Con-
gress, on January 20 last, the text of
the reciprocity trade agreement which
had been negotiated under my direction
by the secretary of state with the
representatives of the Dominion of
Canada This agreement was the
tending over a period of nearly a year,
on the part of both governments to
effect trade arrangement which, sup
plementing as it did the amicable set
tlement of various questions of diplo-
matte and political chaacter that had
been reached, would mutually promote
commerce and would strengthen the
friendly relations now existing
The agreement in its intent and in
its terms was purely economic and
commercial While the general subject
was under discussion by the commits
sioners l felt assured that the senti
ment Of the people Of the United States
was such that they would welcome a
measure which would result in the in
crease of trade on both sides of the
boundary line; would open up the re-
serve productive resources of Canada to
the great mass of our own consumers
on advantageous conditions, and at the
same time offer broader outlet for the
excess products of our farms and many
industries Details regarding a nego-
tiation of this kind necessary could
not be made public while the confer
ences were pending.
When, however, the full text of the
agreement, accompanying correspond
ence and data explaining both its pur-
pose and its scope, became known to
the people through the message trans
mitted to Congress, it was Immediately
AppAEtllt HAA1b bit llHtIEu lIhllS VI bAt
careful labors of the commissioners met
with widespread approval. This ap-
proval has been strengthened by fur
ther consideration of the terms of the
agreement in all their particulars The
volume of support which has developed
shows that its broadly national scope
Is fully appreciated and is responsive
TO the popular will
The House of Representatives Of the
sixty first Congress after the full text
Of the arrangement with all the de-
tails in regard to the different provi-
sions had been before it, as they were
before the American people, passed
bill confirming the agreement negotiated
and as transmitted to Congress This
measure failed of action in the Senate
In my transmitting message Of the
26th of January, | fully set forth the
character of the agreement, and EN-
phasized its appropriateness and neces-
sity as a response to the mutual needs
Of the people of the two countries, as
well as its common advantages. | now
lay that message, and the reciprocal
trade agreement, as part of the present
message, before the sixty second Con-
gress, and again invite earnest atten-
ton to the considerations therein ex-
pressed.
am constrained in difference to pop
ular sentiment and with a realizing
sense of my duty to the great masses
of our people whose welfare is in
volved, to urge upon your considera
tion early action on this agreement. In
concluding the negotiations the repre-
sentatives of the two countries bound
themselves to use their utmost efforts
to bring about the tariff changes pro-
vided for in the agreement by con-
current legislation at Washington and
Ottawa.
l have felt it my duty therefore, not |
TO acquiesce in relegation of action un-
til the opening of the Congress in De-
cember, but to use my constitutional |
prerogative and convoke the sixty-sec-
ond Congress in extra session, in order |
that there shall be no break of CON
tinuity in considering and acting upon |
this most important subject.
WILLIAM H. TAFT.
The White House, April 5, 1911.