Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-16
Sind CONGRESS-.
Sen. Nelson Leads Telling
Attack on RECIPROCITY. y
Shows Up Faults Of Bill in Long
Speech and Has More Ready.
Ayows Treaty Entirely for Benefit OF
big Interests. Other Points.

Washington, June 15.-The second
day of debate on the canadian reel
procity bill proved a field day for
those opposed to the measure. Led by
Knute Nelson who had prepared an
exhaustive speech, a number of SEN
ators took part in Il running debate
which marked the closing period of the
address. At adjournment Penrose, who
is in charge of the bill, felt that this
had cleared the atmosphere consid-
erahly and lac expressed the opinion
that The general debate would not be
of such great duration as has been pre-
dcted
Nelson was radically antagonistic to
the Dill. He occupied the floor most OF
the day. but explained that this was
only the first of several installnents
of his views on this subject.
spirited debate among Republic
can senators took place over the effect
of the Foot amendment dealing with
paper ard wood pulp. Lodge, Clark
Nyo. and Snoot all were on the floor
and talking simultaneously They
agreed that that provision only restor-
ed the terms of the treaty as Submit
ted to Congress.
"How then did that feature of the
| agreement disappear" asked William
Alden Smith of Michigan.
ASK the whispering Winds respond
ed Clark but he later added that tine
amendment was not only in harmony
with the original compact between the
| two countries, but in eonsonance with
the Canadian bin carrying the agree
| ment into effect.
Smith was not satisfied and demand
| ed from Chairman Penrose an eXplana-
ton Of the disappearance of that fea-
| ture from the bill.
"The change" Penrose said, occurred
in the ways and means committee of the
House and the senator from Michigan
knows as much about it as ] do.
THE effect. then, is to give the Cana
dams free trade in paper and pulp and
not to give ii to us" commented Smith
And yet" he continued. I'VE are told
| by the House that we tust not change a
word in the bill, as it was passed there,
| for fear of impairing ii"
Nelson said that the Canadians had
eutwitted the United States
.The Canadians not only fooled us into
putting their agricultural products on the
Tree iot5 ne Fftibs b4N AiltS dNludiiA
| fooled the President as to his treaty
| making power. He was misled and he is
as much astray on that point as he is as
to what is in the interest of the Ameri-
can farmer"
Cummns suggested that the President
| has no power to enter into astreaty af-
| fectng tariff duties.
Nelson said the treaty was entirely for
the benefit of the big interests
Give us reciprocity" he pictured them
| as saying to the agricuturists. Give us
reciprocity-you can go to the devil"
The debate will be resumed at u o clock
tomorrow if any senator is prepared to
speak, which seemed uncertain tonight.
Washington, June 15.-The Canadian
reciprocity bill now has sixty votes in
the United States Senate, according to
| the White House count. The Root amend
ment will be killed by a comfortable
| majority in the same body, the men who
| have studied the situation for President
| Taft say.
The President expects a long debate
| ON the bill and perhaps sonic acrimoni-
| Gus discussion on the Root amendment,
but he has expressed the conviction that
a combination of Republicans and Dem
ocrats will defeat the amendment and
that two-thirds of the Senate will vote
for the bill itself