Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-10
Everybody Benefited by
Agreement With Cana
da, Says Taft.
TALKS FOR FARMERS
Declares Transportation Cost
Protects Them-Not a
MerCenary Matter.

Columbus, o., Feb. 10.-Reciprocity
with Canada will benefit the entire
United States, the farmer, manufactur-
er, railroad company, middleman,
warehous eman.
This was the declaration of Presid-
dent Taft in address here today at the
national corn exposition. "All will De
gamer he said.
ESPECIALLY FOR FARMER.
While his speech was devoted espec-
tally to showing the farmer had moth
ing TO fear, but much to gain, he at
tempted to prove also all other inter
ests of the country would be benefit
ed. The president denied il was a
manufacturers agreement" and an
attack upon the farmer by depriving
him of protection" as has been charg-
ed. He said it had been the republi-
can party's policy to protect Ameri-
can products and manufacturers by
a high tariff.
MODIFIED POLICY.
Temptations to destroy competition
by combinations became so great
however. that the party modified its
policy and imposed the limitation that
tariff should be limited for purposes
Of protection to the difference between
cost OF production in this country and
abroad with a reasonable profit 20
American producers. Upon this new
policy and the fact the Canadian peo-
pie. climate and customs are so much
like our own he justified the propos-
ed reciprocity.
NEARNEss TO MARKETS GOVERNS.
He showed that Canada cannot grow
corn in quantities 10 compete with
the farmers on this side. The domes-
tic price of wheat, he said. was gov
erned by the world price and argued
the Canadian product could not af-
feet the price in the United States.
The price of farm lands is affected By
proximity 70 market and in this partic-
ular the American farmer has the ad-
vantage.
NOT ALTOGETHER MERCENARN.
The greatest reason" he said. for
the adoption OF this agreement is the
fact it is going 10 unite two countries
with kindred people and lying togeth-
er across a wide continent, in com
mercial and social union 10 the great
advantage of both. Such result
does not need 20 be justified by a nice
balancing OF pecuniary profit 10 each.
The president then presented statis-
tics 10 prove his position. and con
cluded with this prediction:
WILL BE JUSTIFIED.
Let the agreement be adopted and
go into operation. and in six months
h. far Hn nh
have fears will rejoice in this great
step towards closer business and So
ciaI relations with our neighbors. The .
whole country. the farmer. manufac- /
turer, railroad company. middleman. /
and warehouseman viii be the
gamer"
ARRIVES AT COLUMBUS.
Columbus. Ohio. Feb. 1O.-Presi- !
dent Taft arrived here at 1.45 this .
afternoon He was escorted through
the city by Troop B of the Ohio Ma .
tional Guard and a provisional cav
airy detachment made up OF officers /
Of the second brigade, and in an
automobile was taken TO the fair
grounds. where a speech was deliv-
cred This evening he viii be a
guest a. banquet
LEAVES THE CAPITAL
Washington, Feb 1o-President Taft
teft here at 10:45 O'Clock last night for
Springfield. IL. where he Is to speak
on reciprocity SATURDAY. He was ac
companied by Charles y. Norton. his
secretary: Representative Mckinley OF
Illinois. and Captain Butt, bis military
aide
STOPS AT PTTTsBURG.
Pitsburg, Feb. l0.-The train bear
ing President Taft arrived here a S 10
a. m and left at s:15 for Columbus,
Ohio.
ANSWERS NATIONAL GRANGE.
Washington. Feb. 1o.-''The pending
reciprocity treaty with Canada viii go
some distance toward meeting the de
mands OF the people at the last elec
ton without interfering with the policy
OF protection as applied 20 the whole
world"
This is the declaration OF James VII
son, secretary OF agriculture. in 81
answer on behalf Of the Taft admins
tra1On 10 the National Oranges de 4,
Clared opposition 10 the proposed &,
agreement. The answer is in the form
OF an open letter made public last :
night. addressed 10 the legislative com s
mittee of the National Grange. Con 7
cord. Y n r
Secretary Wilson argues that he :