Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12
go ASK BILL TAFT"
Manufacturers Jeer Arguments
Against Reciprocity.
REPLY TO Mr.. HEPBURN
His Address Punctuated by Remarks
of Banqueters Indorsing the
Presidents Position.

NEW YORK, February 11.-Weldon
B. Hepburn, United States senator from
Idaho. argued for an hour and half
tonight before 400 silk manufacturers
and their guests against the proposed
reciprocity trade agreement with Can
ada. His auditors did not agree with
him. however, and he was frequently
interrupted by cries Of ASK Taft" and
when he put the question directly: DO
you want reciprocity?" there was al
most unanimous response of Eyes"
The senator was one of the chief speak
ers at the annual dinner of the Silk As
ISOLATION Of America, which brought to-
gether a representative gathering of
manufacturers, largely from New Eng
land.
Attacks Reciprocity Agreement.
After reviewing recent tariff revision,
Senator Hepburn, in his address, launched
into an attack on reciprocity with Can
ada
six years ago." he said, ''the sub
committee of platforms and resolutions
at the republican national convention
fought over the question. and then vot-
ed that reciprocity be counted out of
the republican platform. We have kept
1t out so far, and we will keep it out
much further.
ASK Taft" shouted somebody.
Il wonder how many In this audience
of business men," he continued. favor
Canadian reciprocity. l wonder whether
that is response to my inquiry or an
expression of sentiment. There is no
more reason that we should have one
tariff law with Canada and another with
than there is that we should have one
law in one state and different law in
another This is a nation.
Not a Local Question.
There never was a moro unwise ex-
preston uttered than that which was
uttered by candidate for the presidency,
who said accidentally that the tariff was
a local question. 1t Is not a local ques-
ton. During the last year the balance
OF trade between the American people
and foreign countries fell of $500, 00O, 0OO
Who got 1t? Why, the foreign markets
got 1t. The trade of Canada matched
against the trade of America cannot be
contemplated by the insurgent with
serenity
a voice: What does Bill Taft say?"
Senator Hepburn continued: There is
more reason for laying a tariff wall up
between Canada and the United States
than there is for having it up between
the United States and the nations across
the sea-
Cheaper Production in Canada.
"All the farm products can be produced,
and all are produced cheaper in Canada
than they are on this side of tho line
And they can be brought across without
freight charges or expense up I'm the Sec
ton Of the country where 1 live-in
Idaho.
They raise as much barley across the
line on the Canadian line as we do. and
you take the % cents a bushel duty off
of it and it costs them 25 per cent less
to raise it. and where would our people
find market for their barley? The
same is true of live stock-horses, cattle,
sheep, hogs, from Canada would be driven
across the line.
do you think we want Canadian reci-
procity?'
Chorus of voices: YES"
Senator Heyburn then retorted: ''They
think We want it. BY and by you would
inquire, Where has my market gomez
Probably it would have wandered into
the northwest"