The Washington times., 1911-07-27
RECIPROCITY FIGHT
NOT YET ENDED,
ONLY JUST BEGUN
Bill Expected To Raise Issue
| In Many State Con-
H. VentionS.

1De SITuRRl6 over llllb
country was not ended, as a good many
folks supposed, when the reciprocity
measure passed Congress and when the
bill was signed by President Taft.
Instead of being ended, there are some
signs that the war is but fairly begun.
1t is going to be carried into the Re-
publican politics of many States, and
1t is likely to be carried into the next
Republican national convention.
Plans are made or are being made to
conduct a sort of referendum on reci-
procity. That is, the issue will be
raised in a number of State conventions
which will be held next spring, prior TO
the Republican national convention.
1t developed about a week ago that
Senator Cummins and Republican men,
bers of the Iowa delegation in Congress
were bent on carrying into the next
State convention the question of reci-
procity. They are practically inviting
a test of sentiment on reciprocity in
connection with the adoption of a plat
form by the convention.
Where Question Will Be Raised.
But Iowa is only one of numerous
States where either the same fight or
one much like it is threatened.
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, South
Dakota, and perhaps North Dakota,
Montana, Michigan. and Illinois are
States where the question will come
up In Nebraska there will be a test
of sentiment also. The Nebraska test
apparently will come in a different way
from what 1t will in those States where
the tight is carried into the Repub-
Ican State convention and made to
center round the platform.
The
tive Norris will enter the race for Sen
ator against Senator Brown. and will
take a stand against reciprocity and
against President Taft's denomination,
VIII bring up the issue in that State.
1t is noticeable that the Republicans
avoided mention of reciprocity.
Repression to Be Attempted.
OF course, in many of the States that
are committed thoroughly to President
Taft and where there is strong senti-
ment against reciprocity. the effort will
doubtless be made TO repress any ex-
preston Of differences Of belief or reci-
procity. 1t is expected that il a num-
Der Of the States along with the at
tempts mad8 to adopt platforms against
reciprocity, there will run attempts to
get anti-Taft delegations. II the anti
reciprocity clements can make the show
ing IN different States. which they hope
TO. thev will do their utmost to get the
next national convention to take a
stand opposed to reciprocity. It is i'm
puOba hle. oc course. that the convention
can be induced 10 take any such stand
1t need hardly be pointed out that for
ii to do would amount to repudia-
tion of President Taft and would prac-
tical!y make his nomination out Of the
question.
It's Operation Questioned.
Just when the Canadian reciprocity
agreement will become operative, now
that it has been finally ratified into law
by Congress and President Taft, was a
question upon which there was a divis- |
ion of opinion among authorities here
today.
AS agreed to, the measure contains |
two sections. The first sets forth the |
full dutiabe and free list articles to be |
sent under the terms of the bill from |
this country to Canada. and the dutiable |
and free lists of articles sent from the |
Dominion to the United States.
The second section provides for free |
entry into the United States, from Cana |
dian provinces that do not enforce any |
export tax or other restrictions, on |
shipments to the United States of wood |
pulp, newsprint and other paper and |
paper board manufactured mainly of |
wood pulp and valued at not more than |
I cents a pound.
Senator Reed Smoot, one of the high |
est authorities on the tariff in the Sem
ate, today asserted that the first section |
OF the bill could not take effect until it
had been passed by the Canadian parlia-
ment.
LAS to section o. he said, there is a
strong opinion among Senators that it
will take effect on the passage of the
bill by Congress, even If Canada, at that
time, has taken no action on the reci-
procity measure
In the first section of the agreement is
a provision setting forth that the duti-
able and free lists of articles from
Canada shall take effect whenever the
President of the United States shall
have satisfactory evidence and shall
make proclamation that the dutiable
and free lists of the United States goods
sent TO Canada are recognized by the
Dominion.
acction two. of the United States bill,
Is a ri lin statute that requires no action
hv the President to carry 1t into ef-
feet.
Senator Nelson's Objection.
Senator Nelson has said it is utterly
outside the scope of the reciprocity
q agreement."
TIE opinion of Senator Cummins was
thus expressed: THE difficulty about
the present arrangement is as the Sena-
tor from Minnesota has said. For some
rca son or other tie House has segre-
gated section two from the remainder
uf the hill, and 1t is doubtful whether it
will be controlled by the provisios and
the conditions of the previous Part of
the bill. If it is not 50 controlled then
3 l. not reciprocal and we would be
n danEcr of the ia yored nation clause"
Al apparent defect in the United
States bill was pointed cut by some
Senator's II Canada should. some day. L
rcDeal the Canadian bill, the United
States law wauld remain in force un- /
III Congress could take action.
II was several times suggested that
the hill Re amended so that II would be
repealed IN the event of
The repcal of the Canadian law by the
Ottawa parliament, hut the general be-
lief vas that the conditions under which
II might operate 10 the disadvantage of
The United States were beyond the
range of possibility.
Alfonso In England;