The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-06-04
BY Associated Press.


Chicago. June 3.-President Taft in
a speech before the Western Economic
society tonight declared that the prln-
cipal opposition to the Canadian reel
procity agreement came not from tne
farmers but from the lumber trust
and from American manufacturers OF
print paper.
In one of the most comprehensive
addresses he has made on the subject
President Taft, outlined some of the
methods employed by the opponents OF
reciprocity, and practically told the
farmers they were being 'buncoed by
the special Interests. He said the fate
of the agreement rested not so much
on the senate as with the people OF
the country. He asserted that If the
country and farmers generally could
be brought to understand the treaty
was in the interest of the majority OF
the people there would no longer be
any fear of the coming vote in the
senate. In spite of the forces arrayed
against 1t, the president expressed the
belief that the agreement would be-
come a law.
In opening his speech President Taft
stated that the fathers Of the reci-
procity measure were surprised by the
cordial approval with which 1t was
greeted throughout the country, and
ventured the assertion that there Is
less opposition to the measure In
Washington than has been represents
ed. He declared that a careful analysis
Of the arguments pro and con would
convince any fafr-mtnded economist
there would be no opposition in six
months after the agreement had been
adopted. He declared the opposition
came from the business interests who
own and control the lumber supply Of
the United States and those engaged
in the manufacture of print paper and
hos xrrtaf1 zIa 20 ha fol-
ers and agricultural interests of the
country. He asserted that one of the
greAtest OBJECTS of the treaty. is the
conservation of natural resources. and
called attention to the fact that the
supply of lumber and spruce wood for
paper making is being rapidly exhaust
ed, and that the result of the diminish
ing Of the supply would be to put a
high price on these articles, and that
we should enlarge the source of Tur1-
Der because it is essential to all
classes.
AS TO PRINT PAPER.
Directing attention to the effect on
print paper, President Taft empha-
sized the fact that a careful investiga-
tion by the tariff board of conditions
in the United States and Canada
showed the best mills in the United
States can manufacture print paper at
slightly less cost than the best in Can
ada, and that the purpose of the reci-
procity agreement is to raise the re-
striction upon the expectation of pulp
wood into the United States from Can
ada where nine-tenths of it is grown
by allowing the paper made of wood
from an unrestricted section to enter
this country free, charging a duty of
1918 on paper from a restricted sec
tion.
Taking up the opposition of those
who claim to represent the whole
farming industry, President Taft stated
this is more formidable than the
special interests mentioned, but II Is
natural to find the special interests CO.
operating with those who claim to rep
resent farming interests in prejudicing
the farmers against reciprocity.
He declared that trade between Can
ada and the United States will be in
creased by reciprocity and will have
no tendency to reduce the prices of
wheat unreasonably but will prevent
undue fluctuations, by enlarging the
source, and expressed the belief that
the cost of farm products will be de-
termined by the world supply and not
by the tariff.
He said he believed that reciprocity
will not injure the farmer nor increase
the prices. Calling attention to the
fact that Canada is now second only
to Germany and England as a buyer
of United States products the presi
dent expressed the belief that 1t Is
flying in the face of providence if we
maintained a wall, because of the pos
sibflity of the immense growth of Can
ada. In conclusion, President Taft
stated he opposed the farmers free
list bill as an amendment to reciprocity
because 1t would defeat both bills.