The Sentinel=record., 1911-02-22
HALE Fights
RECIPROCITY
MAINE SENATOR PUTS SOME I'M
PoRTANT FACTS IN THE SEN
ATE RECORD.
Shows That Interests Directly Inter
ested Were Not Consulted by Ad-
ministration in Making the
Schedule.

Washington, Feb. 21-.By adrolt
questions, Senator Hale, of Maine,
wno took a prominent part today in
opposing the Canadian reciprocity
agreement in the hearings given by
the senate committee on finance,
put into the record statements by
witnesses that President Taft and
Secretary Knox and the American
commissioners had failed to consult
any of the interests affected by the
agreement negotiated.
The strongest statement in this re-
gard was made by Representative
Gardner, of Massachusetts, who ap-
peared in the interest of the Glouces-
ter Fisheries.
After predicting that the effect OF
the Canadian agreement would be to
ruin the fishing interests of this coun-
try which are centered at Gloucester,
Mass a prediction based upon the ef-
feet of Canadian bounties paid to her
fishermen and the subsidized ware
houses of Canada. Mr.. Gardner was
catechised by Senator Hale. The
Maine senator developed Mr. Gard
ner's interest in the subject and the
fact that he had always championed
the Gloucester industry.
Replying to questions, Mr.. Gardner
said he thought the Americans were
a party to the negotiations and either
the president, Secretary Knox or Com
mercial Agent Pepper did not know of
the Canadian bounty and the subsi-
dized warehouses When they made the
agreement.
"Then do you think the president
should have proceeded without con-
sulting members of congress where in
dustries likely to be injured, were so
concerned?" Hale asked
'If ! had been negotiating such an
agreement as this, Mr.. Gardner re
sponded, 81 think | should have done
just as the president did"
That's keep the facts secret?' Mr..
Hale said
Mr.. Gardner replied that last sum-
mer the president faced the obliga-
tion of assessing punitive duty
against imports from Canada because
OF the discovery that Canada had
given preferential treatment to
France
Under the maximum and minimum
publication of the tariff law Mr.. Gard
ner said the president, would be
compelled to apply the maximum rates
to Canada, but he knew that the peo
ple Of this country would not stand
it, AS a result the president sent
commissioners to Canada who de-
manded a reciprocal trade agreement
and the inevitable happened.
Whenever the maximum pnblica.
tion of the tariff law cannot be en-
forced it will become weapon in the
hands of the government discrimi-
mating against the United States"
Senator Root spoke briefly in regard
TO the change made in the pulp wood
and paper provision of the Mccall
bill to carry out the provisions of the
agreement This Change was from
the form in which it was originally
introduced He suggested to the COM
mittee that they restore the original
language so as to remove every doubt
that any restrictions by any of the
provinces of Canada would prevent
pulp wood and paper from coming free
until such restrictions We're removed.
The New York senator was questioned
at length concerning this provision
and Senators Hale, Lange and Smoot,
apparently speaking for the commit
tee, said they agreed taat this matter
should be made perfectly clear.
George w. wheelwright. Of Boston,
and Hugh J. Chisholm. of New York,
spoke on the subject.
Colonel Clark, secretary OF the
Home Market Club OF Boston, made
a protest against the whole agree
ment on the ground that 1t was un-
fair to paper making, fishing and ag-
ricultural industries.
A number OF representatives OF the
oranges made arguments at both SEES
sions against passage of tae MccaA
bill. The speakers during the after
noon were w. T. Greasy, master OF
~ Pennsylvania State Grange; y, T.
fnli, master of the Michigan Grange.
I I'd president of the American Dairy
c.s. IS Association; f. N. Godfrey,
ss.e xIlssAsss-..he New York Grange;