New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-12

Springfield H.. FEB. 11.-President
,rof, to-day took his most advanced po-
s,tion with regard to Canadian reci-
,roci.v In an address before the
Illinois Legislature he warned the lead
ers Of his party that if they should de-
feat the concessions contained in the
reciprocity agreement now pending in
Congress and should persist in retain
inc in these times Of high prices and
gradually cNhausting food supply a tariff
not based solely on the difference In cost
Of production at home and abroad, with
reasonable profit to the American pro-
duccr. am opposition viii be aroused that
will know no moderation and Will wipe
the last trace of a protective tariff from
the statute books.
This announcement followed the news
from Washington that the reciprocity
bill had been favorably reported by the
Committee on Ways and Means only
through the help of Democratic votes.
President Taft feels keenly the opposi-
tion TO reciprocity from members Of the
Republican party, but he is sanguine
that they will "see the light" before it is
too late.
He was immensely gratified by the
manner in which his reciprocity speeches
were received to-day, especially by the
Legislature at the Capitol. His first
announcement there that his theme was
TO be reciprocity was greeted with a
burst Of applause. Proceeding then TO
outline some of the schedules Of the
Canadian agreement, the President was
heard with the greatest attention. AS
he summed up the situation the ap-
pause became more frequent, and when
he closed the plaudits were fairly deaf
ening. and this despite the fact that
Speaker Cannon had sent a message
from Washington TO thet Legislature
strongly opposing any sort OF reciprocity.
Address to the Legislature.
Mr. Taft is the first President who
ever addressed an Illinois Legislature.
The state Senators and Representatives
were in many cases accompanied by
llclr wives OF OlI4SI iHSLlpS4S VI lHS4
families.
Speaker Adkins introduced the Presi-
dent Mr.. Taft in his address reviewed
the tariff provisions of the Chicago plat
form Of 1905 and said that the condi-
tions Of production in Canada and the
United States are so nearly similar that
a tariff based on a difference of cost as
between this and other countries would
amount, in the case of Canada, to sub
stsntial free trade.
a reciprocity agreement said the
President is give and take. and my I'M
preston is that when you examine
closely the pending agreement you Will
congratulate yourselves that we were
able TO make one that covered so wide
range Of subjects"
we shall be blind indeed he added
III we reject this golden opportunity to
edd TO the strength and virility OF our
country 10y thus increasing our self-sup-
porting capacities"
Mr.. Taft strengthened his argument IN
favor of reciprocity by saying he hoped
suit in a further revision Of the Payne
Aldrich law.
I'VE have taken up" he said in con-
clusion, those things that are inVoiVec
in a Canadian reciprocity agreement, De
cause opportunity offered. Now is the
accepted time. Now Canada is In 'h'
mood She is at the parting of the ways
Shall she be an isolated country as
much separated from us as If she were
across the ocean. or shall her people anc
our people profit by the proximity ina
our geography furnishes, and stimulate
the trade across the border that nolhihs
but useless. illogical and unnecessary
tariff wall createsg'
Dual Mission to Sprineheio'
The President came to Springfield 10
dav for a dual purpose. The first
these was to place wreath on the toiii'
Of Abraham Lincoln and to pay tripu'
70 the memory Of "the great EmanciPa
tor"
He was the greatest citizen OF you
state the President said, and VIII
Washington. the greatest citizen OF th
United States"
Mr.. Taft's second object was TO max
some additional arguments in favor o
reciprocity His speeches in this cit!
followed a morning campaign at Cham
paign, Monticello. Decatur and MllIikel
University. The crowds which greeted
Mr.. Taft at every point were the iarges
he has seen on any Of his trips AS fresl
dent. The streets Of Springfield wer
thronged as the special train arrived
over the Illinois traction trolley system
Hundreds OF persons ran after the Presi
dents car as it proceeded from the CIT!
limits to the door of the state capitol
Representative Mckinley, of tn
Champaign Decatur district accom-
panied Mr.. Taft from Washington u
Decatur. From Decatur TO Springhel'
the President became Mr.. Mckinney
(ontinueI nm keCoud DaRSs