New-York tribune., 1919-10-10
Bitterly Contested Trade
Measure of 1911 Abol.
;shed With Hardly Ripple
ofInterest and No Rollcall
Act Was Backed by Taft
Members Deny Action Is the
First Step in Programme
of Tariff Change for 1920
Netc York Tribune
WASHINGTON Bureau

WASHINGTON. Oct. 9.-Repeal of
the Canadian reciprocity act, subject
Of bitter debate in Congress eight
wears ago, was begun in the House to-
day without causing more than ripple
Of interes The repeal measure, ap
proved by the Ways and Means Com
mittee, went through without opposl-
ton, to the accompaniment of only
few speeches and in the presence OF
far .ess than quorum
There were none OF the stirring
scenes that preceded the passage OF
the original bill in 1911. and the vote
was taken without roll call. or even
a division The Democrats made no
fight against repeal, but Representa-
tive Kitchin. former majority leader
and former chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee. pointed out that
under the existing Democratic tariff
act Canada having complied with
necessary conditions, many commod-
ties. particularly agricultural products,
are now coming into the United States
from the north free Of duty.
Republicans who spoke on the re-
peal measure dec ared there was no
intention on their part to act in nos
tile fashion toward Canada, but that
all rations should be treated equally
In such matters. Members from farm
ing districts emphasized the fact that
while Canada had never enacted the
legislation necessary TO have the orig
inal reciprocity arrangement become
effective she might do so a. any time
if the reciprocal measure remained on
the statute books OF the United States.
Although House leaders discounted
>any sugses tons that repeal Of this
act might b considered another step
on the road to .ari.f revision next year
and the imposition Of higher protective
rates than exist now, this view was
not shared by The entire membership
With reciproc ~ and the free list Sec
tions Of the Underwood law applicable
to Canadian imports both out of the
way Canada would be on the same
footing as .hefrest Of the word in her
efforts 10 enter American markets and
compete with american farmers and
American industries.
The Canadian rec procity agreement
was negotiated in Washington ir Jan
uary. 1911. and because Canada wished
to be free to change her mind in the
future. it was decided the agreement
should take the form OF legislation in
each country. and not become the sub
ject OF q treaty Late in that month
ike bills We're introduced in Congress
and in the Canadian Parliament. Presi-
dent Taft saw an opportunity in reci-
procity 10 revive MS waning strength
and counteract some Of the urpopu-
larity he had gained by approving The
Payne-Aldrich tariff He campaigne ID
in its behalf. and although the opposi-
ton to it was bitter. It went through
Congress and was signed that summer.
The principal schedule Of the law
provided that practically all agrcu!-
tura products, EXCEPT wool; also fish
and FISH OIL, hewn timber sawed lumber,
posts, ties poles. saves and palings :;
unmaaufactured asbestos, gypsum, tale.
mica, feldspar and fuorspar, and such
manufactured articles az galvanized
or timed iron and steel sheets, gal
vanized wire and wire rods Of certain
gauges all barbed fencing wire, cream
separators, carbon electrodes, type
setting and type-casting machines, coke
and cottonseel oil. should be duty free