Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-10
TAFT STANDS PAT ON TREATY
President Says Republican Farmers
Will Not Change Resolution.
PLAIN TALK TO GRANGE MEMBERS
President Says He Believes Reci-
prOcity f. Best Thing for whole
Country and VIII Not
Argue Question.

| WASHINGTON, May 9.-President Taft
INDUCED in some plain talk Monday in ex-
planning to twenty-five members of the
National Grange that he does not intend
to play politics with the Canadian reel
rrocity agreement, even II the enactment
OF that measure costs him the farmer vote.
| The president told his visitors bluntly that
he was sorry to hear that republican farm
ers would desert the party II the agreement
goes through, but fear of such desertion
would not change his conviction as to
the wisdom of such legislation He said
that he believed reciprocity to be the best
thing for the whole country, and that he
did not intend to argue It,
N. p. Hull, master of the Michigan
grange, spokesman for the farmers, inti-
mated strongly that the farmer does not
like reciprocity and that republican votes
are likely to be lost IL It is passed.
III reciprocity goes through" said he.
ut means we must cake less for our wheat
and less for our products, and that means
a halt in the Improvement of eur homes
and In the education of our children. Take
the states along the line--Nchigan, wiscon-
sin, Maine. New Hampshire and Vermont.
In the past the farmers of these states
have been the backbone of republican pro-
lection. You could count on these people
every time.
Says Canada VIII Benefit.
IF this measure goes through II will
discriminate against our markets ana
Canada will get the benefit; It will make
II harder for us to get a dollar No prest
dent ever commanded the faith OF the farm
people in times past more than YOU ana
ask you whether you do not think we will
suffer II we are put on 9 free trade basis ?"
| certainly" said the president, ct have
no disposition to interfere with the pros
pertty OF those who make up the bone and
sinew Of our population--the farmers-and
am convinced am in no way interferine
with 1t. II I am-if we carry through this
treaty and It turns out II does produce the
injury you anticipate, II can be repealed
by single congress.
1T does not last longer than either side
desires It to last. am convinced that after
It has been given one years trial neitheR
side will think of reversing IT, That IA INV
conviction cannot go into an argument
You say the republican farmers are
going to desert us II we put that through
am very sorry that is to be the case
because have a, personal liking Tor the
republican farmers just a little mite
stronger than for the democratic farmers
although they are all citiSens Of the United
States, whose welfare must hold equally
In my care.
but my conviction with respect TO the
advantage Of this treaty Is very deep. 30
far as the effect on my Personal political
fortunes It ought not to influence me and
does not influence me In the slightest.
i i believe this treaty to be the best thing
for the whole country, including farmera
merchants, laboring men and all, because
believe It 10 contrary TO nature, It is
flying in the face of providence, to put an
artificial wall like that between this coun-
try and Canada and not get the benefit
that will inure to people of the Same ira
ditions, the same language and practically
with the same character of labor.
III we take down that wall we win
benefit by 1t, for we shall sell more aRrt-
cultural products to Canada than Il win
sell to US. We do now. and we shall sell
Canada even more after the treaty goes
into effect. That Is my judgment. am
not arguing-I am merely stating my CON
illusions.
IF did not believe this should not
have taken the responsibility OF doing what
have done to pat this reciprocity treaty
through. / am willing to abide the judE-
msnt Of history-ths Judgment that viii
come after the event. When you gentle
men come 70 see the result 1 believe you.
as fair minded men. win admit that you
have been wrong In your fears ana that I
have been riRht"