Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-02-16
RECIPROCITY FROM DIFFERENT
POINTS OF VIEW.

pie Of government by the people. In
other words In order to exercise self
government people must inform them
selves about Issues involved and they
cussion.
For this reason we welcome discus
sion of the subject OF reciprocity.
There is ground for honest differences
Of opinion, but manifes'tly if tho pro-
posed arrangement will injure our
agricultural interests we do not want
Il, whereas If its net effect will be
beneficial to our farming interests
az n whole directly or indirectly as
we'll as to our manufacturing inter
osts VIC all want it.
Some OF us who are Interested in
farm lands favor reciprocity, while
others who are also interested in
farm lands oppose reciprocity. Mani
| testify both cannot he right.
Now charging ono another with IN
fairness in discussion is noe argu-
ment What is helpful is the furnish
ing Of facts ana figures and considera-
ticns having direct hearing on the
merit of the question. When these
are all taken into account tho ques-
tlor should be determined according
20 the burden IT evidence.
Before prcecntins additional data
! or the merits Of reciprocity itself. let
US direct attention TO fat in rela-
ton to the particular measure for
Wulated by the Taft administration
which has been generally overlooked
~ tho opponents of reciprocity
If this reciprocity in actual opera
tion is found to he harmful or un-
satisfactory to our people as whole
tho next Congress can change the law
ard the arrangement VIII autor1atl-
cally cease. leaving our general tsri-
law in effect, for by the terms II the
agreement reciprocity is 20 continue
only, provided both countries carry
ont the arrangement formulated and
adopted.
1t viii not he a serious matter
therefore,. to ascertain by actual eX-
pertinent whether reciprocity will ac-
complish all that Is claimed for ii or
against it as might be the case We're
the arrangement negotiated for a
term of years.
1t is also to be noted that France is
worrying because of fear that goods
which she Is sailing Canada under
}rescrt trade ARRANGEMENTS viii be
bought ~ Canadians from the United
states, with the proposed reciprocity
rjsn in forcc. ana the same thing 81
true Of Great britain A. an indIca-
ton. therefore. these conditions are
To be accepted as pointing to the
probability That the Taft administra-
ton is on the right road
Now let us further consider fact.
and figures having direct bearing
On the merits of reciprocity ftselt
from an economic pont of view.
Burlington lumber dealers tell us
tnat the small duty on rough lumbel
from Canada does not affect the situa-
ton materially in New England, OK
cept that IT prevents dealers from
moving their planning mills and SO or
to Canada. The price Is not affected
because, the Canadians have promptly
added to their Wholesale prices what
ever sum has been hitherto taken from
cur customs duty
In view OF the enormous supply d
Canadian lumber as compared Will
our own and the comparatively small
expectation to all countries of Canadian
farm products, IT Is fair as we'll a
reasonable to assert that the same
thing would prove true regardin9
prices of farm products.
Canada exported to all the worll
last year only enough butter to giv'
two thirds of one ounce to each per
son in the United States per annum.
II all Canada's eggs went to Boston
alone there would only be enough t
give each citizen of the city one egl
every two years.
Canada's exports of grain Of al
kinds show about one hftieth of tn
value Of the cereal crop Of the Unite,
States.
Its export of barley in 1910 regard
ed as serious menace to the pro
ducers Of 16o,OOO.OOo bushels on on
side Of the line, were 1,1OS,0oO bush
els,
The New York Sun says that a pro
testing representative of farmers il
r,hern New York declared positive
ly that the agreement would rut
those whom he represented becaus
flood of Canadian food product
would be poured across the bordel
Representative Hin Of Connecticu
asked the witness IL he knew hoy
much butter Canada exports and Sc
cured a confession OF total ignorance
Mr.. Hin asked IL che witness kne'
anything about the figures OF Can
, ada's dairy exports and got simiia