The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-04-06
.1AfT'S MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS

President Taft's message to the
Sixty.second congress was read In both
houses today.
The message is short and concise,
and in 1t the president confines him
self to one topic, the proposed reel
procal trade agreement with the Do
minion OF Canada, for consideration OF
which the extra session OF congress
was called The message In full Is as
follows:
ITO the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
Il transmitted TO the SiXty-first
congress. on Jan. 20 last, the text Of
the reciprocal trade agreement which
had been negotiated under my direc-
ton by the secretary of state with
the representatives Of the Dominion OF
Canada. This agreement was the con
summation of earnest efforts extend
ing over 4 period Of nearly year on
the part of both governments to Ell
feet a trade arrangement which. sup
pementing as ii did, the amicable set
Element of various questions of a d.
plomatic and political character that
had been reached, would mutually pro
mote commerce and would strengthen
the friendly relations now existing.
The agreement in its intent and in
its terms was purely economic and
commercial. While the general sub
Jet was under consideration by the
commissioners felt assured that the
sentiment of the people OF the United
States was such that they would well
come a measure which would result
in the increase Of trade on both sides
Of the boundary line, would open up
the reserve productive resources oil
Canada to the great mass Of our con
sumers on advantageous conditions,
and at the same time offer a broader
outlet for the excess product OF our
farms and many OF our industries.
Details regarding a negotiation Of this
kind necessarily could not be made
public while the conferences were
pending. When, however. the full text
Of the agreement, with the accom-
panying correspondence and data eX'
planning both its purpose and its
scope. became known TO the people
through the messags tranSfnittsd to
congress, Il was Immediately apparent
that the fipened fruits of the careful
labors Of the commissioners met with
widespread approval This approval
has been strengthened by further con
sideration of the terms OF the agree
ment in all their particulars. The vol
ume of support which has developed
shows that it's broadly national scope
is fully appreciated and is responsive
10 the popular will.
The purpose OF the SiVty-frst con-
gress after the full text OF the ar
rangement, with all the details in re-
gard to the different provisions had
been before It. as they were before
the American people. passed a bill
confirming the agreement as negotiat-
ed and as transmitted to congress.
The measure failed Of action in the
senate.
In my transmitting message Of the
10Th Of January fully set forth the
character OF the agreement and EN-
rhasized its appropriateness and ne
Cessity as response TO the mutual
needs of the people Of two countries,
as we'll as its common advantages.
now Law that message and the reel
procal trade agreement. as integrally
part Of the present message, before
the Sixty-second congress and again
invite earnest attention to the con
sideratlons therein expressed.
Il am constrained in Difference TO
popular sentiment and with a realiz-
ing sense OF my duty to the great
masses Of our people whose welfare 10
involved, to urge upon your consider
alton early action on this agreement.
In concluding the negotiations the
representatives of the two countries
bound themselves to use their utmost
efforts to bring about the tariff chang
es provided for in the agreement by
concurrent legislation at Washington
and Ottawa. / have felt II my duty.
therefore, not to acquiesce in relega-
ton OF action until the opening of the
congress in December, but to use my
constitutional prerogative and con-
woke the Sixty-second congress In ex-
ira session in order that there shall
be no break in continuity In consider
ing and acting upon this important
subject WILLIAM II. TAFT"