Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-02-25
1t Is Reported to Senate
Without Recommendation.
Hale Gives Warning Against At.
tempting 10 Force Passage.
Bailey Of Texas Also Declares
His Opposition 10 Measure.

Washington, Feb. 24.--Opponents Of
the Canadian reciprocity agreement
tried to put qnietus on legislation
on the subject when the Mccall bill
to carry out the provisions of the
agreement was reported late today
without recommendation" from the
Senate committee on finance. So far
as the present session of Congress is
concerned, they took long step to-
ward accomplishing their purpose.
The return of the bill to the Senate
by acting Chairman Burrows OF the
committee was made the occasion fer
brief speeches both in opposition to
and in favor Of early action. As only
a few days remain in which to ger
the bill through a hostile body the
speeches against it We're accepted gen
orally as its kneil. until an extra Sce-
sion.
Hale, who will retire March 4, said
that the committee had yielded to pub
lie clamor and the charge that the
bill was to be suppressed, and had re-
ported it against the real sentiment of
large majority of the committee He
served notice, however. that the bill
would have to go, TO the calendar 10
take its course and any effort by any
one of whatever authority to Drive"
the Senate would be an unwarranted
assumption of power.
Bailey, who is on the committee.
was recognized as soon as the report
was presented by Burrows
Declaring his opposition TO it, he ex-
pressed the opinion that the best in
terests of the agriculturists would be
served by the defeat of the bill. In
pointing out some of the discrmina-
tions in the bill from his point of view.
the Texas senator said while the agree
ment admitted wheat and cattle free. il
retained the duty on flour and beef
meat.
civilized people eat flour and not
wheat, beef and not cattle" he said. True
II was, ne continued. that the agreement
provided for free wood pulp, but this
change in the tariff laws would mean the
loss OF almost 100000 of revenue to the
treasury annually. He had been inform
ed, he said that this change would he
worth 5000 600 TO the newsnaner and
magazine publishers. but for himself h,
could not consent TO a measure which
against the poor and needy.
Hale concurred in all that Bailey had
SAID and added that while the bill had
been reported without recommendation
the committee had done so in face of the
fact that an unquestioned ma jority could
otherwise have been had for an adverse
report.
IT is my understanding that the bill
Will take It's course in accordance with
the feeilng and desire of the Senate.
Whatever that may be. If the Senate
does not choose to take it up that course
Will be within its clear right and any ef-
fort on the part of anyone of whatever
authority to drive the Senate. now or at
any time would be an assumption of
power which would be unwarranted no
said.
Speaking briefly for a second time Raj
ley said that although he was onnosad tc
the bill, he would not seek TO delay its
passage.
II am ready to vote on its as soon nc
the Lorimcr case is disposed Of he said
IF tho legislation should reduce the cost
of living 1t would do so at the expense of
the farmers along the Northern bound =
ary. and l should be greatly concerned in
ton with those responsible for the enact :
ment."
The bill went on the calendar where +.
is subject to consideration whenever tho
Senate may decide to take il up.