Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-20
MR,BLAINE' 'SSCHEME
To Secure South American
Trade for This Country
DOESN'T QUITE CATCH ON.
Big Pittsburg Shippers Who Cannot
Believe That
THE GAME is WORTH THE CANDLE

'T am emphatically opposed to establish
ing any reciprocal relations between this
country and South America which will lead
to free interchange Of goods" said Mr.. B.
F. Jones, the representative iron man, last
evening, in answer TO a DISPATCH re-
porter's question as to what he thought of
Secretary's Blaine's scheme to build a trans
continental railroad between the two coun-
tries. However beneficial it may appear
70 some industries in the United States to
open free intercourse with the South Ameri-
can trade, / think it is not consistent with
the protective policy to exclude certain
branches of trade from the benefits of pro-
lection, in order to build up other lines OF
business. In short, the admission Of South
American products free of duty which COM
pete with our own goods will be q dangerous
STEP"
HIS FAITH IN BLAINE.
Mr.. John II. Ricketson said: Secretary
Blaine is O level-headed man, who can be
thoroughly trusted TO take the best Of care
of American industries, and no doubt he
has an eve TO the prosperity Of the country
when he proposes to establish reciprocal
relations between North and South America.
The United States imports n vast quantity
OF goods from the South American Re-
publics, and there is no reason why the
transportation Of the tame should not be
IN the hands Of the United States instead Of,
~ Il now is being conducted by foreign
carriers"
Mr.. 4. i. Atterburv said the South
Americans weren't sufficiently educated yet
10 make their trade worth much. Some
Ia. s,tI la ntfieN hui In iha
Interior the people seem TO get along very
woll with gourds ~ n substitute. lie stated
that his firm hnd maintained n man In
South America who could speak the native
language. but hc made no hcndwny worth
speaking Of and that while the Germans
and French continue 20 give u wears credit
the United States cannot make any head
way OF consequence.
NOTHING TO BE GAINED.
Mr.. George a. Macbeth didn't see any
thing 10 be gained by railway 10 the South
American Republics lie said goods could
already be shipped there In quantities suli-
oient 10 supply the demand lie thought II
Congress were TO let business alone the
country would be better or M he considered
its interference almost wholly mischievous.
He does not appreciate paternal govern
ment, and suggested that the Government
might Us we'll provide carriages 10 carry
people 10 and from their business Us 10
build n railroad.
Ex-Postmaster Larkin said he hadn't |
given the subject any thought and wasn't |
prepared 10 talk about IT, He didn't seem
inclined to take much stock in the PROPOSE |
tion.
George II. Bennett said his business
hadn't any personal interest in the propo-
sition, but he was inclined to think there |
was more talk than anything else in it. He
did not believe the road would pay, and said |
il couldn't compete with water transpor-
tation, if built. He jidn't think it feasible
to run a road into Brazil TO get coffee, and
as for Peru and the rest of the Pacific |
Coast, he thought reshipment by water at
San Francisco would answer a better pur-
pose. As much freight could be shipped by
water and sent round Cape Horn to San
Francisco cheaper than by rail. Mr.. Ben
nett could see no advantage in a railway
two or three times as long, and Pittsburg
can ship by water to New Orleans and re-
ship there to reach the Eastern coast Of
South America for a fraction of railway
charges.
TOO MUCH MONEY FOR COFFEE.
c. Kimberland didn't know whether the
venture would pay or not, but he thought |
something ought to be done TO stop the drain |
of money out of the United States 10 pay |
for coffee. At present il is virtually cash |
article, and the consumption Of the United |
States is enormous. Counting 10000 900 |
families. consumption at % cents week
would represent an expenditure of s144, ,OOO,-
600 year.
w. G. Stewart said he knew more about
real estate than about general commerce.
He credited Mr.. Blaine with the possession
Of large amount of brain, but thought
this country would find that either with or
without q railway. the vital question was
whether II could manufacture Cheaply
enough to compete with the world. lie said
that when he was In the brush manulactur.
ing business they could not make n brush
mean enough 10 sell in the South with any
profit and compete with foreign makers,