Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12
Senator Cummins' Criticism
of Canadian Agreement.
DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH
Would Put Many Other Things on
the Free List.
WOULD MAKE IT VOLUNTARY
Will Try to Amend Agreement
Without Asking Anything In
Return From Canada.

NEW YORK, February Ex-senator
Albert B. Cummins Of Iowa spoke In ad-
vocacy Of the Canadian reciprocity
agreement before the Union League Club
of Brooklyn tonight Commenting upon
the fact that some curiosity had been
expressed as to what his position would
be upon the proposed trade arrangement.
the senator said that 1t seemed strange
to him that after having advocated Cana
dian reciprocity In every part Of the
country for ten years, when most OF
Its present advocates were denouncing 1t. .
his attitude should be In doubt Il
went down In defeat for 1t more than
once" said Mr.. Cummins, land think
have the same courage Of conviction now
that l had then.
IT am for reciprocity with Canada, but
1 am not for every trade arrangement
that may be proposed under the name of
reciprocity. just as 1 was for the system
Of protection in 1909. but 1 WAS not for
the Payne-Aldrich tariff law.
Doesn't Go Far Enough.
II am not one Of those who believe
that the free admission Of agricultural
products into the United States from
Canada will materially affect our farm
ers: but / do believe that while we
are admitting free the things which the
farmer sells we should also admit free
some of the things the farmer buys.
The objection 1 have to the arrange
ment Is not that it is too free, but that
it is not free enough. I do not expect
to ask Canada to change her duties
further than prescribed In the agree
ment, but do expect to insist that with
regard to imports from Canada into
ha TTnitad States there shall he Ad-
mitted free of duty timber and lumber
in all their forms. including timber,
however sided or squared; laths.
shingles. sawed boards. planks. deals
finished or unfinished; coal in all its
forms, iron ore Of all kinds. iron or
steel in all its forms, glass. woollen
and cotton cloth. clothing, boots and
FORMS flour, and all such things.
1T is not necessary to ask Canada to
agree to these additions to our free list,
for they will not be reciprocally free, and
we put them upon our free list solely for
eur own good and to eQualize among our
swn people, both the advantages and dis
advantages of the treaty.
Sees Absurdities In Pact.
ITO me It seems absurd to admit Ca
madam wheat free and maintain q duty
on Canadian -four: to admit Canadian
cattle and hogs free and charge duty on
Canadian meat; to admit Canadian dairy
products free and keep our. duties on
Canadian iron ore and Canadian coal; to
admit Canadian poultry, vegetables and
fruits free and collect burdensorne duties
On laths. shingles and planed boards: to
admit Canadian hay. rye, oats and barley
tree and sttll levy heavy duties on Ca
madam iren and steel ,.-.-..,:-
III Il required the consent OF the Cana
% rV.on
list 1t might be claimed that we should
wait until another time: but 1t does not,
and /. for one. do not intend to allow
the steel trust. the meat trust, the lurn-
Der combination and other excessively
protected industries to join all hands
around and say. now we have taken
a long step forward In reducing tariff
duties, let us have peace and quiet for
the next decade. On the other hand, say
that now Is the time to make things right
between ourselves and Canada, and IL
the friends Of reciprocity will stand firm
We will WIN