The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-04-05
Chief Executive Sends Com
munication to Congress
Today Urging the Solons
to Pass Bill.
MESSAGE SHORTEST
OF ANY PRESIDENT
Reciprocity the Only Topic
Discussed and He Says the
Bill Will Benefit Both
Countries.
American. News SerVice)

Washington, April 5.-President
William II. Taft today sent to the con-
gress a message urging immediate
consideration of the reciprocity pact
with Canada. He urged the passage
of the bill for the benefit of both ma
tions. The message was the shortest
ever sent by any president at the op-
ening of congress, containing only
51S words
Reciprocity was the only issue tax
en- up by the president The message
follows:
Presidents Message.
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
Il transmitted to the Sixty-Arst con-
Gress on January 6 last the text of
the reciprocity trade agreement which
had been negotiated under my direct
ion by the secretary of state with the
representatives of the Dominion of
Canada. This agreement was the
consummation of earnest efforts eX-
tending over period of nearly year
on the part of both governments to
effect a trade arrangement which sup
plementing as it did the amicable set
tlement of various questions of a d-
plomatic and political character that
had been reached would mutually pro-
mote commerce and would strength
en- the friendly relations now exist
ing.
The agreement in its intent and in
its terms was purely economic and
commercial While the general sub
ject was under discussion by the COM
missioners l 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 of both sides
of the boundary line, would open up
the reserve productive resources of
Canada to the great mass of our own
consumers on advantageous condi-
tiOnS and at the same time offer a
broader outlet for the excess products
tries. Details regarding a negotiation
of this kind necessarily could not be
made public while the conferences
were pending. However, the full text
of the agreement with the accompany
ing correspondence and data explain
ing both it's purpose and it's scope be-
came known to the people Through
out the message transmitted to con-
gress it was Immediately apparent
that the ripened 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
is fully appreciated and is responsive
to the popular will.
Action on First Bill.
The house of Iresentatives of
the SiXty-first congress after the full
text of the arrangement with all the
details in regard to the different pro-
visions had been before it, as they
were before the American people,
passed bill confirming the agree
ment as negotiated and as transmitted
to congress. This measure failed of
action in the senate. In my transmit
ting message of the 26th of January, I
fully set forth the character of the
agreement and emphasized its ap-
propriateness and necessity as re-
sponse to the mutual needs of the peo-
pie of the two countries, as we'll as
its common advantages. ! now lay that
message and the reciprocal trade
agreement. as integrally part of the
present message, before the Sixty-sec-
ond congress and again invite earnest
attention to the considerations therein
expressed.
Il am constrained in Difference TO
popular sentiment and with realiz-
ing sense of my duty to the great
masses of our people whose welfare is
involved, to urge upon your considera-
tion early action on this agreement.
In concluding the negotiations the rep
resentatiyes of the two countries
bound themselves to use their utmost
efforts TO bring about the tariff
changes provided for in the agree
ment by concurrent legislation at
Washington and Ottawa. | have felt
it my duty. therefore. not to acqui-
esce in relegation of action until the
opening of congress in December, but
use my constitutional prerogative and
convoke the Sixty-second congress in
be no break in continuity in consider
ing and acting upon this most impor-
tant subject.
tSignedl .. WIN. H. Taft.
The White House Anril & 1211 ;,