The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-21
IALk Is CLUSEU.
Congressman Underwood of Ala.
bama Says the Final Word
In the Debate on the Canadian
Reciprocity Measure.
BEGINNING THE END
Of Exclusion as Part of National
Policy, He Says.
Free Competition Will Make Us
Masters of World.
BEGINNING THE END

Washington, April 21.-Opening the
last day Of Canadian reciprocity debate
in the house Representative Mccall, of
Massachusetts,, declared that the farm
ers of the United States had been push
ed forward to hide the real interest
opposed to the agreement. Mr.. Nc
Calls speech favoring reciprocity was
one of the most important of the dis
cuSSion. He had charge of the bill in
the last congress. Mr.. Mccall said
that he spoke in behalf of all Repub-
licans who were in favor of the meas
ure. He ridiculed the ''eulogies upon
the farmer" which he said had char
acteriZed the majority of the speeches
against reciprocity.
THE farmer is not the sad-eyed
monstrosity that he has been painted
in this house." declared the speaker.
| The opening up of the cheap lands OF
! Canada to United States markets would
not be injurious to this country said
| Mr.. Mccall.
''The advantage of this reciprocity
| agreement. said he, will be that when
| the time of our scarcity comes it will
| prevent the rise in prices of wheat by
! giving us free access to the Canadian
| supply"
'1Heralding the era of honest compe-
| tition,ss Representative Underwood.
| (Ala.) chairman of the ways and means
| committee, closed the debate.
The enactment of the reciprocity bill
| into law, he said, would mark the end
| of the period of exclusion in the eco
| nomic policy of the country insofar
as customs laws affect industrial con-
| ditions.
For so years. he said, 1.-The Repub-
lican party has maintained the policy
of excluding. as far as it has been able,
| competitive products from other coun-
tries. In the beginning this was in
| augurated with the express declaration
| that it was intended to develop new
/ %rio MT
enough to stand alone and face III tne
OPEN the markets of the world ana
| the rivalry of our protective competl-
tors, but the greed for gain has driven
the advocates of this theory far beyond
/ the position they maintained at its IN
ception. There is today hardly great
| American industry that is not export
ing its surplus products to the open
markets of the world and selling them
in free competition with the manufac-
lures and crops of our foreign COM
! petitorS
Masters of Production.
Masters of production and industry
in every land where free competition
can be obtained, if we would but strike
off the shackles that bind us to the
dead and unnecessary economic system
maintained by the Republican party.
that creates false standards and waste
full conditions at home
Mr.. Underwood contended that the
nation should turn from these stanu-
ards, carefully adjusting the laws ID
meet new conditions without serious IN
jury to capital or labor, in order to re-
duce the cost of living at home and pc
prepared to dispose of surplus products
to insure stability Of prices and en-
ployment to labor
1.-The Democratic party" he contend
ed "does not intend to abandon the
customs house, but favors policy or
levying custom duties for revenue pur-
poses only at rates that will not de-
stroy fair and honest competition in the
home market. I say this bill marks an
era in the economic life of the nation.
Why? Not that the immediate results
will be far-reaching, but because it
takes one step in the right direction; a
step away from the exclusive protective
policy, step toward an honest COM
petitive policy"
In reviewing recent tariff legislation,
Mr.. Underwood said:
"Our standpat Republican friends
We're responsible for having the rect
procity agreement now before the coll
gress.' The Payne-Aldrich tariff bill
J he characterized as a gold brick that
glittered without and was false metal
Within
When it came to applying the tariff
J to Canada, he said, that the president
dared not impose the maximum rate on
Canadian products a condition which
led up to the Albany tariff conference
with the Canadian agents and subse-
quent negotiations for reciprocity.
Crowded galleries heard the CON-
Guiding speeches, Mrs. Taft occupying
a seat in the executive gallery.
The house now begins the rapid fire
consideration of the bill under the
privilege of amendment and minutes
speeches.
Taft Pleads for Help.
Washington, April 21.-Before the
cabinet session today, President Taft
turned aside from Mexican troubles,
called in number. of Republican coll
gressmen and asked their support of
the Canada reciprocity bill. The presi-
dent pointed out that it would be most
unfortunate from a Republican stand
point if reciprocity becomes law by
Democrats votes alone, he fears op-
position in the senate and therefore
would like as much Republican sup
port in the house as possible. It is said
only two of the members promised the
president their stfpport Among those
who called were: Kinkaid of Nebraska
Powers of Kentucky, Calder and Dris-
coll of New York, Taylor of Ohio, Wood
of New Jersey, Kahn of California, aal
Olmstead of Pennsylvania.