Omaha daily bee., 1911-06-29
OFFERS SEVERAL AMENDMENTS
Wants Many Canadian Products Ad-
mitted to United States Free.
SAYS IT IS OBVIOUSLY UNJUST
Would Only Admit Farm Products
and Wood Pulp Free.
ROAST FOR THE PRESIDENT
Alleged Attempt of Executive 20
Influence Legislation is RoundIy
Denounced By the
Speaker.


WASHINGTON. June R-The fight
against Canadian reciprocity In the senate
formally was opened today by Senator Cum
minis of Iowa, who Is presenting a number
OF amendments to the bin and denounced
He protested against the "usurpation OF
legislative power by the president and de-
clared he did not believe the president could
lawfully make a proposal TO Canada or
receive one from that country. He declared
congress was the only power that could
make the proposal for reciprocity Senator
Cummins announced he would cooperate
In any attempt TO get lower duties In other
tariff bills.
! No attempt was made by the republican
leaders at the opening of the session 10
| fix date for a vote on the bill.
Senator Cummins said II wes apparent
republicans and democrats favoring the
bill had determined to submit 70 the re-
peated statement that the president would
accept no amendments 20 the Canadian
agreement
Il make no comment on this situation
said he, save that II seems to mean alb
dication OF the duties of the senate and an
| abandonment OF It's responsibilities
Senator Curnniins attacked the eonbI-
nation OF regular republicans and democrats
TO pass the reciprocity bill.
1T seems to be conceded" he said that
a minority OF the republican senator's, most
OF whom have advocated high aad inde-
fensible duties In the tariff law on manu.
featured products. and majority OF the
democrats, who have prOfessed adherence
to the people OF tariff for revenue only.
propose to pass this reciprocity bill With
out change"
Cummins' Opinion of Bill.
The BILL ne said would accomplish only
two important things: Admit free Of duty
the agricultural products OF Canada. and
admit small quantity Of wood pulp and
print paper"
After the passage Of the bin through
this combination. senator cummins said
i the democrats expected 10 make oombi-
nation with republicans WHO faSor. tdriff
revision to pass other bills.
III is perfectly plain to me" he added,
that the republicans whom have men
toned, VIII be valiant enough in defense
J of the high duties for the rich and power
full manufacturers"
Senator Cummins' amendments proposed
to admit free from Canada both raw ana
manufactured products. including fresh
meats, canned meats, barley, matted flour,
iron. steel, wooden goods. cotton goods, silk
and leather goods. These amendments ap-
ply only the American side OF the line.
Senator Cummins said he would not be-
lieve until roll cali proved II, that the
senate was to accept the ultimatum that
II could not change in any way the agree
ment as submitted. He referred 20 Ger
tain number OF senators who seem TO sit
in silent II not sullen. submission to q
higher power"
Canada has yielded all It can" he said,
aNrNe eNaarUN
perity. But II is inconceivable that those
who are willing 70 subject the farmer 70
absolute free trade in the things he pro.
duces should shrink from reduction OF
the duties on things he buys"
Wants to Improve Bill.
Senator Cumniins said his amendment.
We're not proposed for the purpose OF de-
feating the bill.
II appeal to those on the oth.r sid. q,
/ the chamber who favor lower tariff dutle,
} to help me with these amendments" he
said Il have no hope from my associate,
5 on this side of the chamber They will helt
: you democrats TO remove the duties from
) the products Of the farmers, but they vii
] not help you 10 lower by a farthinE ths
duties on great manufactured products
OF the country"
. The reciprocity bill was characterized b,
Senator cummins as obviously ana svs
a IDENTIFY unjust and II his amendments wer,
4 adopted. he said. IT'S injustices would b.
SO far corrected that he would vote for Il
Senator Bacon asked Mr.. cummins II n,
] thought legislation in the senate ought q
be influenced by the threat OF q veto from
the president.
Tt is abhorrent TO me-" replied MI Cum
minis. TO hear the suggestion that AM
senator will be influenced by the probabi,
action OF the chief executive.
I'VE have been assaulted here day aftei
day with the reiteration, apparentll
: authoritative. that II this bin is amende.
in any way II will be vetoed by the presi
dent ! am not saying that the presiden
IL responsible for these statements I onl,
know that they are so uniform and 80 EN-
phatic that they have found Judgement
i. In the minds OF many senators who be
: lieve they can make no change IN thf
bill. however meritOrious these amendment
may be.
+ Congress should he Independent.
!. 1T is the beginning OF the end of IN
! dignity. the power and the respectabilit,
II Of congress and the senate 20 have Il re