Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-08
WARN THE SENATORS.
Makers Of Book Paper and
Farmers Oppose Reciprocity.
HEARD By COMMITTEE
Declare Bills Enactment Would Kill
an Industry and Damage
the Farmers.


the Farmers.
Protests against the Canadian reci-
procity bill from the manufacturers OF
book paper and from the farmers marked
the first days hearings on tho bill before
the Senate finance committee.
If Canadian book paper 10 allowed to
come into the United States free, ~ pro-
posed by the reciprocity pact, the repre-
sentatives Of the book paper manufsctur-
ers told the committee. It IL only ques-
ton of time before tho industry. with
Its >1O6.ooo.ooo Of capital and it's $1,000
employees. will cease to exist within the
United States.
No benefit will be insured to consumers
and the farmers will be injured II the
pact is approved, according to the Ma
tional Grange oficials who appeared be-
fore the committee.
Calamity, dire ana sure, was pictured
to the committee should the reciprocity
pact become effective. There 10 no
bright side to the question at all. accord
ing to the statements made to the
finance committee today.
Makers Of Book Paper Heard.
George Sullivan Of Philadelphia spoke
first in behalf Of the makers Of book
paper.
Not only does Canada have the natural
advantages Of water power for its mills
and vast wood resources close at hand.
Mr.. Sullivan told the committee, but It
has q 81 advantage over the United
States in duties levied on import used in
the making Of book paper-that 10. the
pay 81 ton in duties more than tho
Canadian manufacturer pays. These
charges are on English clay. bleaching
dyes and similar substances.
In addition to the 81 ton advantage.
the Canadian manufacturers have
further advantage OF $4.75 q ton because
OF the resources available in Canada
for cheapening the cost Of production.
City, spoke along the same line. predict
ing the death Of the book paper making
industry in this country after the reci-
procity pact IL put into effect.
Farmers from more than dozen states,
both in the east and in the middle west.
spokesman were chiefly masters Of state
oranges. M. p. Hull, master Of the Mich
igan State Grange and president Of the
American Dairy Farmers Association,
Of the agricultural interests.
National Grange Defended.
N. J. Bachelor. master Of the National
Grange and the first speaker, made reply
to a recent speech of President Taft.
In a speech delivered before the Amer
lean Newspaper Publishers Association
in New York." he said. 1.-The President
called In question the action Of the
grange in endeavoring to prevent the
of this miscalled reciprocity
scheme when he said: I am quite aware
that from one motive or another a great
deal of effort and money have been spent
in sending circulars to the farmers to
convince them that this treaty, if
adopted, will do them injury. For the
state that there was one motive, and
one only. for the action Of the national
grange In writing to the farm organtza-
lions Of the country warning them
against this bill. That motive was the
asainza 0 most I'm, Unjust piece of iesisla.
ton, which II enacted would lower the
price paid our farmers for their prod
ucts and cause general depreciation
in the value Of their property. The ma
for it's action in this matter. and when
It Is insinuated, as was done by honor
able members Of the House, that the OPP
position Of the farmers was initiated by
some outside interest denounce the
charge as without the slightest t0unda-
tion.'
A violation by republicans Of their last
national platform. Mr.. 'Baceelder pro-
nounced the reciprocity scheme.
Alleged Handicap on Farmers.
To uphold his statement that the Cana
dian farmers have an advantage over
American farmers in that they pay lower
tariff taxes on all manufactured articles
they use, and are therefore able to buy
these articles cheaper, he submitted q
statement Of the tariff taxes
paid by the farmers Of the two countries.
by the Canadian farmer he pays an aver
age tariff tax Of from 20 to IS per cent
less than Is paid by our farmers
Charges Inconsistency.
Turning to the democrats. he said:
Your national platform Of 1905 de-
clared in favor Of placing on the free list
articles entering into competition with
trust-controlled products, and such gradu-
ated reductions in other schedules Is may
be necessary to restore the tariff to Q
revenue basis. Is this reciprocity bill In
accord with your platform? Are cattle.
Sheep and hogs, wheat, oats and barley,
butter, eggs and cheese, hay. potatoes
and apples controlled by trusts? You
know that they are not, that there is not.
and never can be, trust control Of these
products In the form in which they
leave the farm. Then why put them on
the free list. instead Of on q revenue
basis, az your platform demands?
IF you are logical you must vote
against reciprocity, as being absolutely
inconsistent with any system Of tariff
for revenue only. Free trade in farm
products and high tariff for manufac-
turers 70 not. and cannot be, part Of q
revenue tariff system"
Warning Against Discrimination.
Robert Eaton. master Of the Illinois
State Grange, ana w. n. Giles, secretary
for the New York State Grange, both
warned Congress against discriminating
against the farmers.
you'll hear from Us farmers, IL you
do" said Mr.. Eaton.
Lower the tariff equally, IL too
high" salu Mr.. Giles. but don't dis
eliminate against the farmer. We are
going to hold somebody responsible IL
this bill passes"
"That viii be the President, for he
negotiated the treaty" suggested
Senator Bailey.
How about senator's who vote for
it?" interjected Senator Gallinger.
NI wouldn't ltkA IN ha pr>si1nn$-f