The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-04-13
CONGRESS GETS
TAFT'S MESSAGE
Brief Document is Transmitted to
COuntry'S Lawmakers.
is ALL ABOUT RECIPROCITY
President Tells of Negotiations Lead
Ing to the Canadian Agreement
and Asks Early Action Con-
firming the Pact

Washington, April 5.-President
Taft's message to the 62nd congress
in extraordinary session was trans
mitted to both branches of congress
today, The message in full was as
follows:
To the senate and house of repre-
sentatives: / transmitted to the six
ty-tirst congress ON January 9Th, 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 agree
ment was the consummation of ear
nest efforts extending over a period
of nearly a year, on the part of both
governments to effect q trade ar.
rangement which, supplementing as
1t did the amicable settlement of vari-
GUS questions of diplomatic and po-
litical character that had been
reached, would mutually promote
commerce and would strengthen the
friendly relations now existing.
The agreement in it's intent and in
its terms was purely economic and
commercial. While the general sub
iect was under discussion by the COM
missioners, felt assured that the
sentiment of the people of the United
States was such that they would well
come a measure which would result
in the increase of trade on both sides
of the boundary line, would open up
the reserve productive resources Of
Canada to the great mass of our own
consumers on advantageous condi-
tions and at the same time offer a
broader outlet for the excess products
tries. Details regarding a negotiation
OF this kind necessarily could not
be made public while the conferences
we're pending. However, the full text
of the agreement with the accom-
| panying correspondence and data ex-
planning both its purpose and it's
scope became known to the people
through the message transmitted to
| congress.
Approved by the People.
It was Immediately apparent that
the ripened fruits of the careful labOrs
Of the commissioners met with wide
spread approval. This approval has
been strengthened by further consid-
Grafton of the terms of the agreement
in all their particulars. The volume
of support which has developed shows
that it's 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
the bill confirming the agreement as
negotiated and as transmitted to con-
gress. This measure failed of action
in the senate. In my transmitting
message of the 26th of January, fully
set forth the character of the agree,
ment and emphasized it's appropriate.
ness and necessity as a response to
the mutual needs of the people Of the
two countries, as we'll as its common
advantages. / now lay that message
and the reciprocal trade agreement,
as integrally part of the present
message, before the Sixty-second con-
gress and again invite earnest atten-
tion to the considerations therein ex-
pressed.
Early Action Is Urged.
| am constrained in Difference to
popular sentiment and with a reAliz-
ing sense of my duty to the great
masses of our people whose welfare is
involved, to urge upon your considera-
tion early action on this agreement.
In concluding the negotiations the
representatives that the two coun
tries bound themselves to use their
utmost efforts to bring about the tar
lift changes provided for in the agree
ment by concurrent legislation at
Washington and Ottawa. | have felt
1t my duty, therefore, not to ac
guiesce in relegation of action until
the opening of the congress in De-
cember, but to use my constitutional
prerogative and convoke the Sixty
second congress in extra session in
order that there shall be no break of
continuity in considering and acting
upon this most important subject.
WILLIAM H. TAFT.
The Mhita HnnSn nril 1911