Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-02-22
HALE LEADS FIGHT
ON RECIPROCITY
IN COMMITTEE
INTERESTS AFFECTED
NOT CONSULTED, HE SAYS
Declared Ratification of Agree
ment With Canada Spells
Ruin for Great Fishing Indus
Try on New England Coast,
tBy Morning Journal Special Leased wire,

my MORNING journal special Icased Wifel
Washington, Feb. 2i.-By adrolt
questioning Senator Hale of Maine,
who took a leading role today In op-
posing the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment In the hearings given by the
senate committee on finance, put into
the record statements by witnesses
that President Taft. Secretary of State
Knox and the American commission
ers had failed to consult any OF the
interests affected by agreement nego-
tiated. The strongest statement In
this regard was made By Representa-
tive Gardner of Massachusetts, who
appeared In the interest of the
Gloucester fisheries.
After predicting that the effect of
the Canadian agreement would be TO
ruin the fishing interests OF this coun-
try, which are eentered at Gloucester.
which prediction was based upon the
effect OF Canadian bounties paid to
her fishermen and the subsidized
warehouses of Canada, Mr.. Gardner
was catechlzed by Senator Hale. The
Maine senator developed Mr.. Gard
ners interest in the subject and the
fact he had always champoned the
Gloucester industry.
Mr.. Gardner said neither he nor
any OF the other representatives ana
senator's from his state had been con
suited regarding the effect Of the pro-
posed agreement. He told OF having
visited the president and receiving
the impression that Mr.. Taft consId-
cred the question as closed.
Mr.. Gardner then proceeded to give
his view of the case.
lie said last summer the president
faced the obligation of assessing a
punitive duty against imports from
Canada because OF the discovery that
Canada mad given preferential treat
ment to France. Under the maximum
and minimum provision of the tarlr
law, said MIR. Gardner. the president
l'would be compelled to apply the
maximum rates to Canada. but he
knew THAI the people of this eountr,
would not stand for II. tsi-s
AS result, the president sent
commissioners to Canada, who de-
manded a reciprocal trade agreement
and the inevitable happened, when.
ever the maximum provisions OF the
tariff law cannot be enforced II will
become weapon In the hands of the
government discriminating against
the United States"
Senator Root spoke briefly regard
| ing the change made in the pulp
wood and paper provision of the Nc
Can bill to carry out the provisions
of the agreement This change was
from the form In which 1t was orig
inally introduced He suggested that
the committee restore the original
language SO as to remove every pos
slble doubt that any restrictions by
any of the provinces of Canada would
prevent pulp wood and paper from
coming In free until such restrictions
we're removed.
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 papermaklng fishing and Az
rlcultural Industries. N
Representatives OF oranges made
arguments at both sessions against tho
Mccall bin
The hearings We're not concluded
today and paper and wool pulp IN
terests viii be considered tomorrow
morning.