The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-17
PenrOse Announces a Clear Majority in Favor of Bill
 Without Amendment
FRIENDS OF BILL DO
 NOT WANT TO SPEAK
Penrose Holds Conference With Taft and Ayers That Within Two Weeks Time Will Be Set
 to Vote on the Bill

Washington, June 16.-The determin- ation of the Senate finance committee to spush through the Canadian reel procity bill with all possible speed and the confidence of the Senate leaders that there is clear majority in favor of the bill without amendment was made plain today when Chairman Pen rose of the committee forced the bill into it's second reading before the Sem ate and announced it's probable early passage.
 Consideration of the measure today was brief Before the Senate assem- bled Senator Penrose had given out a formal statement claiming to votes in favor of the bill and more than that many votes against the Root amend ment.
 Chairman Penrose said lie believed no speeches would be ready before next week. He had found, he said that few friends of the bill cared to speak on it, but preferred to vote as quickly as possible.
 DO I understand no one wants to speak in behalf of this bill?' asked Senator Smith of Michigan.
 Not as many as want to speak against it," replied MT. Penrose. "The
  vote this afternoon"
 T thought" returned MT Smith, when the bill came here we would be greeted by a great burst of wisdom that would cement the people of the coun- try together in support of this agree ment. Instead, all lights are out. The country is in darkness so far as any thing has been revealed in favor of this measure"
 Taft Speech Explained
 Don't you consider the Presidents speech at Chicago enlightment in this pill?" asked Senator Kern of Indiana.
 The President has been able to mako intelligible many public questions, piled Senator Smith, but it Is amazing that of all the things he has discussed and of all the suggestions he. has made, this reciprocity agreement is the only one that has found laVor on the democfatie slde of the chamber and that finds no championship on his side | The second reading of the measure brought it officially before the Senate for amendment and Senator Roots amend ment was offered. but as Senator Root was not prepared to speak upon it no at tempt was made to vote.
 Senator Townsend of Michigan ai1- nounced he would offer an amendment in structng the President to undertake fur ther negotiations looking to a wider rc- ciprocty arrangement with Canada.
 The Senate adjourned until Monday
 Chairman Penrose held conference with President Taft today and confirmed the report that 50 senators are expected to vote for Canadian reciprocity. and pre- dicted than within two weeks a date for a vote would be agreed upon. He de- cIared the bill would be passed without amendment.
 "The probabilities are that the wool bill will reach the Senate in few days, said Senator Penrose, and the finance com mttee will be called together for the pur- pose of considering the wool bill and the free list bill. The tariff board has been hard at work Investigating the wool schedule and will be ready to report next December. It is not reasonable to expect that the republican majority in the Sem ate will take up the wool bill until tho report is received
 "The free list bill opens up wide range of tariff discussion and the finance com mittee is in receipt of numerous requests from all over the country asking for hear ings As no hearings on the bill were given by the House committee it is only reasonable that opportunity should be per mitted by the Senate