New-York tribune., 1911-04-20
CANNON BITTERLY
ATTACKS RECIPROCITY
Criticises President Taft and
Mentions Herman
Ridder.
BLAME FOR NEWSPAPERS
Saws MIR. Ridder Demanded the
Discharge of Committee Con
sidering Free Print
Paper Bill.
lrrom rne rrlhune Rureau.l

tTrom The Tribune Bureau.
Washington. April The odd guard
in the House played IT'S trump CARD against
the Canadian reciprocity cement to-dsN'
when ex-Speaker Cannon. admitting that
hts protests were futile. made a speech
lasting three hours and twenty minutes
against the bill Reviewing his Ions public
career he irnocently furnished demon
stration Of the fact that he has not Kept
abreast Of his party or the times. In CLOS
iuc his address the ex-Spesker acknowi-
edged with an air OF resignation mat
nothing he might say would be of effect 40
fer as the passing OF ihe bill is concerned
bur said it might afford food for thought
TO- the historian who should review the
events of to-day.
Representative Underwood. tho majority
aoor leader. said TO night that he hoped to
reach vote on the agreement tomorrow
night. although the debate might be pro-
longed into Friday.
Mr. Cannon was caustic in his criticism
Of those who favor the agreement. Even
President Taft was not immune from at
tack. and he accused the Executive of at
tempting TO dictate to Congress its course
with reference TO reciprocity. The harpoon
direction of the Secretary of State, who
was accused of perfectng secret agree
ment with the Canadian negotiators.
Mr.. Cannon's Speech.
Waving . long cane, Mr.. Cannon stood
for some time in front Of large map
which he had brought into the chamber
and with the aid of which he sought 10
rrove that the American farmer is TO give all
and receive nothing under the terms Of the
agreement. The ex-Speaker, always pict-
uresaue figure, received the close attention
If the House throughout, and the old
guard applauded him at the close of his
speech.
II think that | am an average member
Of Congress- he said. Here is measure
that was made in secret. Is there anybody
within tho sound of my voice on either side
NJ tho chamber, FOR OF against this bill,
which affects every hearthstone, who will
ssy thu. ne knew anything about It until
We received it in special message? l
PAUSE for 8 reply. No one arises in his
teat to say that ne was consulted
In a still more belligerent attitude he
continued: Il have so voted in the past
and, God helping me, ] shall so vote in
the future. according to my judgment,
whatever Presidents may recommend. His
DUTY is 70 veto my action. not 10 dictate It
before II reaches him. The practice has
crown through succeeding administrations,
Republican and Democratic. and ! measure
my words 10 say that there is a Congress
on their hands am a member of this
House, and proud of 1t. believe in it, We
have a DUTY under the Constitution, and,
God helping me. whoever is President and
However the Senate is composed and who
ever holds official position. while hold one
eharl walk i'm the shadow of my own
Judgment. il l have to tread the path
clone"
M cannon attributed 10 Sir Wifrid
i.aurier the accomplishment OF the present
ecirrccity agreement. Sir Wilfrid he said,
had congratulated the Canadian negotiat tors
cn their work. and with this fact as a
rasis for his criticism, the ex-Speaker de-
dared that the Secretary of State had APP
proved in secret conference an agreement
egainst which tho people would have pro-
tested had they known it in advance
a Shot at the Newspapers.
Herman Ridder. president of the Ameri-
can Publishers Association. and the metro
rolitsn newspapers also came in for share
nj the attack Of Mr.. Cannon.
There has been a good deal Of talk
bout the price OF print paper. a good deal
Of talk that has run over several years"
% said. The Committee on Ways and
Nesns OF tho 6oth Congress. when John
Sharp Williams introduced his free print
paper bill. and it went 10 that committee
by a unanimous vote. rs am Informed,
postponed action for that session of Con-
Cress and did not even hold hearing
on n.
L was Speaker. They unlosded il on me.
We had stormy time. Newspaper pub
fishers, through the representatives, one of
whom 7 shall name, Mr.. Herman Ridder.
demanded thstI should do what never had
been done before I'm the history OF the Re
puhlic-that I should recognize Mr.. Will
,arus or somebody else TO rise in his place
and move 10 discharge the committee from
further consideration Of that bin. which
they had post poned for that session. and by