Evening star., 1927-03-20
TARIFF FIGHT SEEN
OVER RECIPROCITY
Negotiation of Pact With
Canada Declared Long
and Tedius Task.

By the Associated Press.
The cloak OF official silence, which
is wrapped about anything oficial
washington is unprepared to dis
cuss. was thrown yesterday over the
shoulders OF Premier Mackenzie
Kings suggestions for a reciprocity
arrangement with the United States.
Canada is ready TO arrange a re-
ciprocal trade treaty to cover tariff
duties charged on mutual coast
products and fish. the premier told
the Canadian Parliament. and is also
willing to meet President Coolidge
half way in reducing certain duties
without awaiting congressional sane
ton.
But official Washington. the scene
of historic battle over reciprocity
during the Taft regime. today knew
only what IL had seen In the news
papers about the Canadian premier's
latest announcement.
Coolidge Power Doubted.
There were a few. closely asso-
ciated with tariff matters. who said
that under the law Mr.. Coolidge
could not change the tariff merely
for reciprocal purposes; that he had
the power only to use the flexible
provisions of the tariff act to meet
competitive trade problems. In the
main, however. official comment was
held to the brief statements that the
Government had not been approach
ed on the subject.
The remarks of Mr.. Mackenzie
King revived memories of long in
ternational parliamentary uproar
which continued for many months in
1911 and which drew into conflict
some of the leading statesmen OF
America and of the world.
President Taft threw the reel
procity question into the lap Of Con-
gress on January rs. 1911, after hav-
ing labored late into the night with
his cabinet in preparing his mes
sage which transmitted the Canadian
American trade agreement. From
that time onward the issue over
shadowed all others for months.
Parliaments, statesmen the world
over and the people OF Canada and
America into a continuous round of
debate.
Caused Tense Feeling.
Feeling on the question reached
such a pitch that at one time
Gloucester fishermen half -masted
in the treaty putting Canadian fish
In the treaty putting Canadian fish
on the free list. In Canada there
was talk of modifying the use of the
flag because of the annex
alton issue which was injected. Con-
eress finally approved the pact, but
it was rejected in Canada, where the
Liberal government was overthrown
for espousing II.
But before ratification of the agree
ment views as far apart as the poles
were volunteered, not only from the
countries most directly involved. but
from all over the world. English news
papers were filled with the news of
the discussions. which also got Into
the British Parliament and into other
organizations abroad. Memorials for
ana against the plan came from State
all over the United
States.
During the heat Of the battle, Champ
Clark OF Missouri, then among the
eading presidential possibilities. made
/ speech in which he said reciprocity
vas the first step toward annexation
,f Canada. President Taft countered
With the joking reply that IF we are
going to embark In the annexation
business we must at the earliest op-
annex the Aurora Borealis."
Ratification Still on Books.
Nevertheless the Clark speech
brought reverberations in Canada,
which continued throughout a cam
,aign that overthrew the Liberal gov
srnment. and the reciprocity issue.
except for brief and unproductive
periods of activity. has slumbered
since.
The American ratification Of the 1911
reciprocity agreement is still on the
statute books, but Premier Mackenzie
Kings suggestions are for much
more limited agreement. Canadian
Massey has not yet broached
he subject here. but IL he should do
10 departments interested are pre-
Jared to furnish the State Department
With the necessary data for negotia-
ions.
Inasmuch as 1t is generally con-
eded that congressional action would
70 necessary, observers here believe
hat the making Of any arrangement
will involve a long and tedious process.
'ecause the questions at issue touch
ne Of the tenderest spots of the Amer
ran political body-the tariff.
From time to time the proposal to-
ave q reciprocal agreement on Ash
nd cattle duties has been proposed
here, but nothing definite
las ever resulted.