Arizona republican., 1912-05-11


 which I made and induced congress to adopt, but which Canada finally reject ed. l would not object to this as le- gitimate argument in a political con- troversy against me and in his favor if the fact were not that 1 consulted him ten days before I made the agree ment. stated the arguments pro and con, especially the effect of it on agri- cultural products, and asked him to confer with his colleagues on the Out look as to it's wisdom and public benefit and let me know his and their judg- ment. He replied approving the agree ment in the most enthusiastic terms and complimenting me for having brought it forward"
 The president then made public let ter of his own to MT. Roosevelt, dated Jan. II. 1911. and a reply from MT. Roosevelt the following day. In his letter the president declared he sigped the Payne tariff bill not only because it was a better law than the Dingley law, but because it was a concession by the Republican party that down. ward revision was necessary and be- cause the old doctrine that what was needed was a Chinese wall had been departed from.
 Admitting that while it might tenn porarily have a tendency to reduce the cost of food products. the president said he believed it would in the end tend to a stability of food prices. The president said also. We shall get a revision, not as heavy one as l would like, but a substantial one and equiv alent certainly to the French reciproc- ity treaty between Canada and France) and probably more-on manu- factures." He also pointed out that Canada's entire business after the adoption of the treaty would then be conducted through the United States. To this letter Mir. Roosevelt replied:
 It seems to me that what you propose to do with Canada is admirable from ev- cry standpoint. l firmly believe in free trade with Canada for both economic and political reasons. As you say. labor cost Is substantially the same in the two coun- tries, so that you are amply justified by the platform. Republican, 190S) Wheth- CT Canada will accept such reciprocity 1 do not know but it is greatly to your credit to make the effort. It may damage the Republican party for awhile, but it will surely benefit the party in the end. especially if you tackle wool cotton, etc, as you propose. Ever yours,
 THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
 "I submit that Mir. Roosevelts. course on reciprocity is not in accord with the square deal" said the president.
 Charges of Fraud.
 Fifth.-COncerning the charge that he had received stolen goods" the presi- dent characterized the charge of NIT. Roosevelt and Senator Dixon as insult ing" and 'hysterical.'' He pointed out that the charge with reference to Ken lucky had been shown to be untrue in the Kentucky convention itself, where the charges were withdrawn; that in New York the Roosevelt committee had a recourse to the courts, but did not take it. and that in Indianapolis the charge of fraud was made before the polls were opened"
 'The truth is," said the president, that it has been perfectly evident from the first that the deliberate plan of Senator Dixon has been to claim everything exultingly and with the ut most confidence and to meet the re ports of the election of adverse dele gates by directing in advance the bringing of trumped up contests. It is hardly necessary to say that this is not in accordance with the square deal. The Unfounded Charge as to the Use of
 Patronage.
 "Sixth.-I do not deny," said the pres ident, that under the present system of appointments federal officeholders will be interested in politics and take part therein and will support those to whose appointment they attribute their preferment. Under present conditions, however. and under the policy which has been pursued in this administra ton there are in office today at least 70 per cent of those who were in office by appointment under Theodore ROose velt In view of his candidacy it is natural that a great number of these officeholders should favor him rather than me, and such is the fact, and Mir. Roosevelt cannot be ignorant of it. In spite of the very great activity of number of such officers against me, not man of them has been removed"
 The president then cited the fact that federal referees in control of patron age in Alabama, Louisiana and Texas besides even governors of states sup porting Mir. Roosevelt, all had their of ficeholders opposing the president. In view of his extreme fairness in the matter the president said: "The infiu ence of federal o6icehOlders in the Chicago convention will be less effec- tive for any one candidate than ever before im.. the history of the party" The president then inquired if his treatment on this issue by Mir. Roose- welt was a sample of the square deal.
 Roosevelt and Cannon.
 Seventh. President Taft said Mir. Roosevelt had charged that "I desert ed the progressives and became a re- actionary."
 He told how, with the approval of Mir. Roosevelt he had had q meeting with