Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-11
Resources Of Northwest to Be Made
Available to People.
GREETED WITH GREAT APPLAUSE
American Tiller of the Soil Will Re-
main King,
NOT A MERE POPULAR APPEAL
President DeIves Into Figures In sub
stantistion Of Definite General
Clsims-workinEA Agree
ment Good.


COLUMBUS o.. Feb. iO-Carrying for
ward his campaign FOR Canadian reciproc-
ity, President Taft today made direct APP
peal to the American farmer on that issue.
lie declared that the impression which had
gone abroad that reciprocity with the
dominion would lnjure the farmer was en-
tirely without foundation and by statistics
and argument he sought to lend actual
proof to his assertions
Mr.. Taft declared without reservation
that the reciprocal agreement with Canada
would be a benefit rather ,han a detriment
to the agricultural interest Of this country.
He said he stated this m answer TO the
criticism which had been directed against
the measure presumably on the part OF the
farmer.
As for himself. the president said he felt
that the undoubted general benefit Of the
pending agreement would entirely vindicate
those who are responsible for It. The great
est reason for the adoption of the agree
ment he argued. is the fact that it viii
unite two countries with kindred people
and lying together across wide continent
in commercial and social union to the
great advantage OF both.
such result" added the president,
, docs not need to be justified by nice
balancing OF pecuniary profit to each"
Talks 90 Farmers.
Mir. Taft's address. the first OF his pres
ent trip into the middle west was deliv-
cred at the National Corn exposition in the
auditorium al the state fair grounds. 1t
was because OF the agricultural character
of his surroundings and the presence Of a
great many OF the influential farmers Of
this section that the president chose to
take up arguments in behalf of the pro-
posed agreement from the standpoint OF
the agricuituralist.
The auditorium, which has a seating
capacity Of more than 1000 was crowded
20 overlooking The crush about the doors
was so great that the services OF q score
OF policemen were called for.
Mr. Taft's address was listened to with
the deepest Interest and he WAS warmly
applauded al Intervals. The president S
speech was not framed merely as a popu-
lar appeal TO class but consisted IN
large part Of figures in substantiation OF
definite general claims.
For instance. so far as the corn raisers
are concerned Mr.. TAFT showed that the
total Canadian yield was but six-tenths Of
per cents of the total production In the
United states.
American Corn King.
Certainly with respect TO corn" h,
added, "the American farmer is king and
NWill remain so. reciprocity or no recip
roeity"
This statement elected quick respons,
from the big audience and the demonstra
tioh was repeated when the president. IT
coeing. said;
Let the agreement be adopted and gC
into operation and in six months the farm
ers on the border who now have fears
will rejoice in this great step towar,
closer business and social relations will
our nelghbors. The whole country, farmer
manufacturer. railroad company, middle
man. warehouse man, all viii be tn
gainers."
81 am republican said the presi
dent and the republican party ha
always advocated and pursued polio,
OF protection to American produce
and manufacturers. For a long tim
the policy had little or no llmita
tion. II was thought that tariffs on pro
tected products could not be too high
that II all foreign products were exclude
competition would stimulate production
and reduce It's cost and It's price.
Protection Modified.
The temptation 20 destroy competition
By combinations became so great however
that the party ia It's platform modified It
policy and imposed the Limitation that tn
tariff should be limited for purpose OF pro
lection TO the difference between the cos
Of production in this country and the cos
OF production abroad with an aIowanc
for a reasonable profit to the America
producer.
The principle OF production thus state
=. takes away the justification for any tarit
whatever by way OF protection OF article
imported from a country where the cond
tions as 20 ,abcv and other circumstance
are the same IS evrs. and thus make th
cost Of prediction Nptstanta,ly the same
"CansdR g our rsllEbor on the mort
for 1OOo mites. ltS tgrulation is Englisl
scotch anS FytaGb rs soil is like our,
Its traditits, are ne same as ours II
language il ouys. Its climate is temperat
like ours, except that its growing season
arc shorter and It cannot raise corn in an
great quantities.
1t has free popular government wit
wage earning class as intelligent and q
well paid as ours, It Is difficult 10 see /
what respect its farmers have any ao
vantage over ou own except a virgin so
In the far northwest
wan NOt Hurt Farmer.
HOW Is sue AaAAAAEA 10 ne MuNls
asked He then took up the effect Il woul
have on corn and wheat prices, In value
farm lands in this country and milling II
dustries IN this country.
He declared that in respect to corn a
Americah farmer Is king and will rema
So reciprocity or no reciprocity"
As to wheat he said the domestic pTi'
is governed by tae world price and tn
the sending Of any part OF Canadas su
plus through our country instead
through Canada to be milled or 10 be e
ported without milling viii not perceptib
or materially affect the price OF wheat Z
our farmers"
The value OF farm lands he said. is a
feoted BY the proxlmity 10 market mo
than by any other element ard he mai
talned the American farmer would 81
have the advantage in this respect.