Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-10
Reciprocity Wins IN Canada

madam election and the popular in
dorsement of reciprocity in trade
with the United States bear witness to the
sweeping reversals which decade can bring
in the drift and deposit of political history.
In the early autumn of 1912, few months
after the American Congress had passed a
reciprocity bill by majorities of three to one
in the House and two to one in the Senate,
the Liberal forces in Canada, as supporters
Of the plan, went down in decisive defeat.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who for twenty-five
years had been their brilliant leader and for
fifteen Premier of the Dominion, passed from
the stage, his utmost influence and resource
fu1ness having proved unable to carry the
policy which now stands revived and
triumphant The impulsive verdict of the
hour is rarely that of the sober years.
AS far back as Mr.. Roosevelt's presidency
thee were efforts to bring about closer
trade relations between the United States
and Canada, and President Taft was, par
ticularly earnest to that end. In January,
1911, was negotiated under his direction IAN
agreement providing for reduction or abol1-
ton of duties on many Canadian food prod
ucts, and on wood pulp, paper, rough lum-
compensated by lower Canadian duties on
agricultural implements and some other
&C lmodities." In smuch as reciprocity by
treaty involved certain legalistic doubts con-
corning the Senate's power over commerce,
the agreement, to which the Laurler admin
istration stood heartily committed was "to
be carried into 'ect in both countries by
ordinary legislation
The reciprocity bill which, accordingly,
was introduced in Congress was opposed by
numbering interests in the Northwest and
by some districts of rural New England; but
by the country as a whole it was favored,
and on February the fourteenth, with the
aid of the Democrats was pressed TO pas
sage in the House. In the Senate, however,
action could not be secured before the close
of the session, March the fourth. Determined
upon results President Taft one month later
summoned the new Congress to an extraor-
binary session. The House was now IN the
hands of the Democrats, thanks to the liberal
turn of the preceding autumn election Tnat
circumstance, however, was but the more
favorable to reciprocity, which ntted nat.
urally into the Democratic program OF tariff
reform. So it was that on April the twenty
first new bill COR the purpose passed the
House by two hundred and s1xty-e1ght TO
eighty-nine. 1t was approved in the Senate
July %, by a vote of ffty-three to twenty
seven, being supported by all the democrats
Of that body except three.
That the policy thus so cordially accept
ed by the United st ties would be as well
received across the northern border was
taken virtually for granted, and fresh era
of mutually profitable relations was expected
soon to begin.
Then fell the chilling news Of September
the twenty-frst when Canadian Liberals,
wit their reciprocity principle, were decl-
sively worsted at the polls. Other issues, no
doubt, beclouded this central economic Dues
ton and kept it from an altogether clear
and fair decision in the minds of the voting
mass. Howbeit, reciprocity sank to defeat in
Canada, and for ten years so remained. Now,
at last, comes vindication of those then sac
rifced. In last Tuesdays election the issue
stood plainly between high tariff and hosplt-
able trade, and specifically between sup
porters and opponents of reciprocity with
the United States That tho liberals have
won sweepingly is of unmistakable s'"n1ti-
cance. What definite result will ensue in the
way of inter-government agreements, how
ever. i yet to appear. Certainly, the common
interests of the American people will be
conserved by trade reciprocity; and it is to
be hoped that the Washington administra-
ton will act in that light.