The Washington times., 1912-04-08
TROUBLE AHEAD
FOR PRESIDENT IN
TARIFF MEASURES
Canadian Reciprocity Situa-
tion a Thorn in Side of
Mr.. Taft.

The tariff has been the cause Of grief
to the Taft Administration ever since ii
came into office, and 1t promises to be
the cause Of still more of 1t. Just now
the signs of further trouble for the
President on the score of tariff are, aris~
ing ominously in number of direc-
tions.
One source of threatened trouble is
Canadian reciprocity. The high pro-
tectionists who are in deadly opposition
to reciprocity are getting alarmed once
more over the specter that this country
and Canada may eventually exchange
products in fashion that will call for
mutual concession.
The particular thing that has stirred
UP the opponents of reciprocity is the
knowledge that a committee of the
Canadian senate has been taking testi-
mony on the reciprocity question.
Strong pressure is being exerted ON
the Borden government in Canada to
put the treaty into operation. Testi-
mony has been brought out before the
investigating committee of the Cana
dian senate that the farmers of Sas-
katchewan alone have already lost s17,-
100000 because the treaty has not been
carried into effect.
Both livestock and grain markets in
Canada are suffering for lack of an
outlet, and there is a general outcry
from western Canada.
McCumber Bill Reported.
Fearing that Canada may put reci-
procitH into operation, the high tariff
Republicans on the Finance Committed
have reported favorably the McCumber
bill for the repeal of the reciprocity
agreement, with the exception of the
provision admitting Canadian paper and
pulp free OF duty. 1t is doubtful
whether the Senate has any constitu'
tional power to institute such a bill
but in their anxiety the high tariff lead.
ers in the Finance Committee have
brought the bill out.
What is the result? President Taft Il
still for reciprocity with Canada. Ht
does not want the reciprocity agree
ment repealed. He thinks Canada will
yet come to terms with this country
and reciprocity will yet eventuate. Now
because the President is taking thil
stand. because the high tariff leader
in the Senate and House take the op
posite stand, and because the Presiden
is depending on these same high tariff
leaders-on Penrose, Crane, Smoot, Nc
Tinley, and those allied with them-t'
secure his nomination and election. 1t Il
easy to see there are features of tn
situation embarrassing to the President
SO far as legislation forsthe repeal o
the Canadian reciprocity agreement 4
concerned, this will not come to q bea'
because the Democratic House will no
pass such legislation. President -Taf
will thus not be called on to veto ;
measure for repeal of the reciprocit!
agreement.
Faces Embarrassment.
But there is another way in which tn
question may prove to be intensely EN-
barrassing to the President. Reciprocit
cannot well be evaded in the Chicag
platform, and If it happens that Nj
Taft is renominated, the question
whether the Republican party is goin
20 commit itself to reciprocity or no
The President cannot well permit 1t t
declare against reciprocity If he Is t
be the candidate, and there will be tire
mendous opposition among high tarii
Republicans to sanctioning reciprocity
Some opposition, for that matter. wi
come from progressive Republicans
though 1t will not be to the principle c
reciprocity, but rather to details of tn
Cnadian agreement. On this questo
progressives, as is well known. are d
vided.
Reciprocity Is just one form of tart
trouble that will not down for th
President. Other forms of 1t are nj
merous. One of them is the tariff boart
Strong opposition prevails to 1t anon
higl tariff Republicans and they Wi
not willingly commit the Republica
party to 1t.
Then, there Is the prospect the Pres
dent may be confronted with steel r.
vision bill and one or more lower tart
bills in the next few months, and, II
is nominated, an election ahead. Tn
would spell more trouble. In shor
unhapplness seems to lurk In every tarl
corner for the President.