The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-04-27
Path
GETTING ROUGHER
The Regulars in Senate Show
ing Disposition to Erect
Obstacles

washington, April 2.-Adm1nlStra-
ton leaders are beginning to display
some concern over the fate of the
Canadian trade agreement in the SEN
ate. Reports have been made to
them that certain of the leaders, not
ably Senator Crane of Massachusetts
are beginning to show a disposition
to place obstacles in the way of the
measure. According to the informa-
ton that reaches administration lead
ers, some of the senate regulars are
at heart friendly to a move that is
to be made by Senator La Toilette
to amend the pact in such manner
as to render it Objectionable to Can
ada.
When the agreement was submitted
to the last congress President Taft
insisted that it must be ratified with
out amendment. Any change in the
instrument, he pointed out, would
render 1t ineffective. Although efforts
were made to amend the agreement
when It came up for passage In the
house last week the Democrats re-
fused to consent to any change what
ever The proffer of amendment came
from hostile Republicans. 1t is ad-
mitted that If the autonomy of the
agreement is affected in the senate or
If the measure Is defeated there by
means Of fllibuster the responsible
ity will be in the Republican major
ity. There are senate Democrats
who are opposed to Canadian reel
procity as outlined in the present bill.
The majority Of that party in the
senate. however, Will follow the lead
OF the house Democrats. only ten Of
whom voted against the measure.
Administration is Hopeful.
| 1t has been taken for granted here
that the second effort to put the Ca
madam bill through the senate would
be successful. Despite the alarmist
reports that senate regulars are Sc
cretly encouraging Senator La Fol-
lette and other progressives who are
fighting Canadian reciprocity Presi-
dent Taft and his supporters are still
Of the opinion that the pact will be
ratified before adjournment. The
president Is willing to stay on the
Job all summer to attain this end. So
are the house Democrats. At the
same time 1t is realized that anything
approaching an alliance between the
regular leadership and the progress
sives to defeat Canadian reciprocity
would make the task Of the adminis-
tration difficult one.
/ The opposition in the senate to Ca
madam reciprocity is determined
Most Of the progressives, among
them Messrs. Clapp and LaFollette,
will fight the bill to the bitter end.
Nelson, Of Minnesota and Warren of
Wyoming will hold out against the
measure until the last minute.
II there is substantial foundation
for the report that Senator Crane is
about to change front on this propo-
sitton there is trouble ahead for the
administration. Recent DEVELOPMENTS
indicate that Senator Crane, who
heretofore has been q stanch admin
tstration supporter. is not now so
friendly with President Taft. It is
stated that Mr.. Crane refused recent
~ to follow a suggestion made by
the president Mr.. Crane is at pres
ent In line for the chairmanship of
the senate committee on postohices.
In the present reorganization of the
senate committees he would auto
matically be assigned to this chair
manship If he would consent to &C.
cept it. Next in line comes Senator
Bourne, bitter foe to the admins
tration.
The administration, It is said. was
anxious to keep Mr.. Bourne out of
this particular chairmanship. The
administration plans to submit leEis-
lation in due season curtailinR the
second class mail privileges SO far
as It applies to the magazine press.
During the fight over the proposition
in the closing days of the last con-
gress Senator Bourne took the side
Of the magazine publishers. So the
administration did not like the idea
Of Mr.. Bourne being advanced to this
important craftsmanship. the position
giving the Oregon senator an oppor-
tunity to oppose the administration
plans.
Although strongly urged to do so.
Mr.. Crane refused to accept the post
Office Craftsmanship. Hence the place
will go to Mr.. Bourne. Mr.. Cranes
refusal to fall in lire with the plans
of the administration in this matter
/, is regarded as significant