The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-06-20
TELLSTAF FTHEWON
Senator PenrOSe Has 60
Votes For Reciprocity.
TO SIDE TRACK WOOL BILL
Finance Chairman Tells President
Pact Will Pass by Big Vote
- and Root Amendment
Will Fail.
TO SIDE TRACK WOOL BILL

Washington, June l7-Senator Pen
rose. chairman Of the finance commit
tee. had a long talk with President
TAFT about the reciprocity situation
lie told the president that a large
number OF senators we're preparing
speeches and he looked for rapid pro
gress In consideration OF the bill dur
ing the next two weeks. He did not
convey any impression. however. that
the measure could be disposed OF In
that time. as he realized that compli'
cations might draw the fight out to
great length.
Senator Penrose is convinced that
the Root amendment will be beaten,
and that the agreement will pass. On
this prospect he later issued formal
statement, in which he said.
a careful canvass OF the senate
shows that sixty members, or sub
stantially two-thIrds Of the senate. are
in favor OF the reciprocity bill and
more than that number will be op-
posed to the Root amendment.
The senate will hold daily sessions
from now on and during the next two
weeks great progress ought to be
made toward reaching a final vote on
the measure.
The bill will be passed at an early
date without amendment II would be
we'll II 1t could be passed before the
Canadian parliament reassembles the
latter part OF July.
The probabilities are that the wool
bill will reach the senate In a few
days and the finance committee will
be called together for the purpose Of
considering the wool bill and the so
called free list bill.
1T is we'll understood that the tarifi
board has been hard at work investi-
eating the wool schedule and will be
ready to report next December. II Is
not reasonable. therefore. to expect
that the Republican majority in the
senate will take up the VOL bill until
the tarlff board report shall have been
received.
Tho free list bill opens up a wide
range OF tariff discussion and the
finance committee is in receipt OF nu'
merous requests from all over the
country asking for hearings on the
numerous schedules Of that bill
"As no hearings on the bill we're
given by the house committee. it Is
only reasonable that opportunity
should be permitted to the various
manufacturing interests concerned to
present their statements to the senate
committee and, at as early a date as
possible, the committee will hold such
continuous sessions OF the senate to
be devoted TO the reciprocity bill, the
early passage OF which is the first
consideration OF the present session"
In substance, Senator PenrOse In
formed the president that the friends
OF the bill had the opposition Cor
rallied" and that they knew practically
where every man stood and what the
final result would be. Even the most
bitter opponents Of the proposition are
ready to concede that there is no pros
pect Of defeating the bill.
Mr.. Taft is relying strongly upon
the Pennsylvania senator TO put the
bill through and is thoroughly salts
ned that he will be able to do so, and
that II will be without amendment,
thus precluding any danger OF having
Il hung up in conference by reason OF
disagreement on the part OF the house
to any change which the senate might
make.
Senator Penrose believes that not
only is the opposition to reciprocity
melting away in the senate, but also
throughout the country, and that the
majority Of the people are rapidly
coming to the presidents view Of the