The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1911-04-06
CONGRESS GETS
TAFT'S MESSAGE
Brief Document is Transmitted to
Country's Lawmakers.
IT is ALL ABOUT RECIPROCITY
President Tells of Negotiations Lead.
ing to the Canadian Agreement,
and Asks Early Action Con-
tirming tho Pact.


cial: President Taft's message to the
62nd congress in extraordinary ses.
sion was transmitted to both branches
of congress this afternoon. The mes
sage in full was as follows:
To the senate and house OF repre-
sentatives: l transmitted to the
sixty-first 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 earn
est efforts extending over a period
of nearly a year, on the part of both
governments to effect a trade ar
rangement which, supplementing as
it did the amicable settlement of var
ious 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
ject 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
of our farms and many of our indus
tries. Details regarding negotiation
of this kind necessarily could not
be made public while the conferences
were pending. However, the full text
of the agreement with the accom-.
pany1ng correspondence and data eX-
planning both its purpose and its
scope became known to the people
through the message transmitted to
congress.
Approved by the People.
1t was Immediately apparent that
the ripened fruits of the careful la
bors of the commissioners met with
widespread approval. This approval
has been strengthened by further con-
federation of the terms of the agree.
ment in all their particulars. The
volume of support which has develop
cd shows that its broadly national
scope is fully appreciated and is re.
sponsiYe to the popular will.
The house of representatives Of the
SiXty-frst congress, after the full text
of the arrangement with all the de-
tails in regard to the different provis'
ions 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 transmitting my
message of the 26th of January,
fully set forth the character of the
agreement and emphasized its appro
Iprateness and necessity as a re-
| Spouse 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 integrally part
of the present message, before the
SiXty-secOnd congress and again in
vite earnest attention to the cOnsid
erations therein expressed.
Early Action is Urged.
| am constrained in Difference tt
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 consid
| Grafton early action on this agree
ment.
In concluding the negotiations the
representatives that the two coun
tries bound themselves to use theil
utmost efforts to bring about the tar
iff changes provided for in the agree
ment by concurrent legislation a
Washington and Ottawa. | have fel
1t my duty, therefore, not to acqui
esce in RELOCATION of action until thu
opening of the congress in December
but to use my constitutional preroga
tive and convoke the Sixty-secont
congress in extra session in order tina
there shall be no break of continuit!
in considering and acting upon thi
most important subject.
WILLIAM H. TAFT.