Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-21
EXTENSION or FREE LIST or
CANADIAN PRODUCTS BEING
SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.
ARTICLES MADE IN DOMINION
FOR USE OF FARMERS
Administration About Ready 70 Adopt
Progressive Plan to Strengthen Can.
adian Trade ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Believe Larger Free List Would Aid
in Ratifieati at Present Session.

Washington Feb. 21.-Friends OF the
administration are seriously consider
ing whether 1t would not be desirable
to accep, the proposition of senate pro-
gressives, and permit the amendment
of the Canadian agreement by adding
70 the American free list several manu-
featured articles used by the farmers.
These amendments, if made, will be in
the nature of free gifts to Canada and
will. therefore. not be expected to
nullify the negotiations already brought
TO a conclusion. Their real purpose
will be to soothe certain republican
senators from the middle west-those
from Minnesota, the Dakotas and Iowa
among ,hem-and induce them TO per-
init a vote to be reached on the agree
ment prior TO the adjournment Of the
session.
The political effect OF such amend
ment. can not be definitely predicted
yet II is certain that among the stand
pa.ters there will be strong objection to
this extension Of the free list. but 1t Is
hoped that this opposition will come
from those who have already mani
tested an unvarying hostility to the
measure. II this hope proves well
founded vote may be reached, as 1t Is
rot expected that the insurgents Will
carry their opposition to the presidents
program so far as to stand out abso-
lutely for the full measure Of free trade
.hey at first contemplated in the
amendments Mr.. Cummins was to Of
fer Beyond this conciliatory spirit
shown toward the insurgents by the
administration senators. however, the
prospects for a vote on the agreement
have not improved during the week
But two more weeks OF the session re-
main. and both sides appear deter
mined to win. The president and his
friends continue their efforts at con-
cilia1ion, but without any definite re-
suits. so Tar as they can see, while the
opposition continues stubborn and
sulieu.
Supporters Hops for Vote.
Asked II they can get a vote the
friends Of the agreement with greas
frankness say they do not know. They
only know that they are working as
hard as they can, Ind that this work
will continue. A vote Is not out OF
the question. and as long an the see-
sion lasts there will be hope.
No doubt Is left In the minds OF
senator's that an extra session Will be
the certain penalty for failure TO reach
. vote. This certainly viii undoubtedly
have . great effect in lining the SEM
ators up and . vote would mean be.
yond question the passage u the
agreement. The weakness Of the i'm
piled extra session threat lies in the
fact, however, that many Of the reg
uiar senator's are retiring from public
life for good on Mafch and do not
care what happens after their depart
IRE. and in the further fact that the
Insurgents feel that their position will
be strengthened II they delay action
until the new congress-, when they can
recruit their ranks with the newly
elected insurgents. In a special ses-
sion they feel sure that they will be
able to extend our free list Of imports
from Canada 70 a great extent Their
idea Is to put go many manufactured
articles on the free list that their farm
ing constituencies will feel that the
lowering OF the commodities they have
to buy will compensate them for the
competition they may have 70 meet
from Canadian farm products.
Filibustsr Attempt Fails.
While 1t is fairly certain that Mr..
Hepburn and Mr.. Hale and one or two
others will DO their best to stave of a
vote on reciprocity. II can be stated
that an effort 20 organize formal fill
buster has been made without success
The proposition was preached among
certain progressive senator. two days
ago and It met With a decisive rejec-
ton. Apparently there are not enough
republican senator's who desire thu