Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-19
ATTACK BY CANNON
Former Speaker Begins Speech
on Reciprocity Agreement.
FAILS TO SEE BENEFITS
Challenges President to Show How
It Will Cheaper Prices With
out Hurting Farmer.

'Not since the war with Spain and all
that followed it has there been consfd-
cred by the House Of Representatives so
important bill as, the one now pending,
declared former Speaker Joseph G. Can
non when he began his speech in TIE
House today against the reciprocity bill.
ION the action Of the House rests the
well being and the prosperity of all the
people of the United States. Is It proper
on slight consideration to vitalize into
law All agreement that affects the pros
perity Of every home in tho land?"
Crowded House and galleries listened to
the address that promised to be one of
the leading speeches against the bill.
Mr.. Cannon declared that the agreement
had been made in secret. The country,
the. Senate and the House had actually
nothing to do with the preparation of
the agreement with Canada, he said.
Should Originate in House.
Revenue measures must by word OF
the Constitution originate in the House,"
said the speaker while messages are
in order from the President on revenue
measures. the President actually has au-
thority only to approve or disapprove q
bill
"Yet here is a measure that was made
in secret. No member Of this House had
opportunity to know anything about IT
until the House received notice In the
bill itself. that 1t was expected to pass
the measure"
For a half hour Mr. Cannon reviewed
the development of middle and western
America during dur the he last ha said amid
the laughter Of the House, but can re-
member when this country had but H.
100000 Inhabitants. Now it has close to
a hundred million.
immigration and development have
brought rich new lands into cultivation
he said; railroads had by cheap freight
rates placed them in touch with the great
eastern markets. and the value Of New
England and New York farm lands had
competition. The opening Of new Cana
dian lands, with American markets open
to the produce would have the same eff
feet. he believed.
Uses Map to illustrate.
A large map Of the United States and
Canada was brought into the House as
up In the we'll. In front Of tho clerks
desk. With frequent gestures toward
this. the former Speaker covered the
COuutIy All HIS dAuSIOuS " LILO COuh"
try's agricultural development.
He declared that the influence Of the
cheaper Canadian lands would be felt
as keenly in the southern states as In
the north If the tariff restrictions on
farm products were removed.
Now let's talk about reciprocity"
shouted Mr.. Cannon finally. walking
down to the map. What is this bill
going to do to u.s." he asked, waving a
long pointer over the members in the
front seats. what We want is fact, not
theory. They say there's no danger to
our wheat from a free market to Can
ada. The President says 1t will reduce
the cost Of living without impairing the
farmers market. The President Is a
great man: 1 have great respect for him.
voted for him. and ! apprehend I will
vote for him again. But would like
to see him demonstrate how 1t will not
impair the farmers prices and yet will
reduce the cost Of living"