Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-16
BOOT AND SHOE MEN.
Delegation From Boston Calls Secress ~
Biniue and the President

a Delegation Prom Boston Calls on Secret. ~
Blaine and the President
THEY WANT THEIR rNrkKKers LOOKED AFTER IN
ALL TREATIES OF REcIPRocirr WITH orRkk
AMERICAN oovERsnKNrs-rHEr ARE ISroRxrD
THAT srcH WILL BIZ THE CASE.
There a smell OF leather about the State
Department this morning. That is 10 say there
was enough leather in the talk TO make ones
nostrils imagine the perfume Of tanned hides.
The cause Of this infusion a call made upon
Secretary Blaine by delegation Of New England
boot and shoe manufacturers representing the
Boston Boot and Shoe Club and the New Eng-
land Shoe and Leather Association. The party
consisted of Francis +. Emery. ex-Ciov VIM.
Clafiin. Hon. y. S. Converts. VIM. r. Rice. Ava
Cushman and Geo. C. Houghton. accompanied
by Hon. Chas. r. Flint Of New York and Hon.
Gardiner G. Hubbard Of this city. They called
on Mr.. Blaine FOR the purpose OF presenting 60
him a copy OF a series of resolutions adopted a
month ago by both Of the organizations repre-
scented.
These resolutions set forth that since the
facilities for manufacturing boots and
shoes have increased in the United
States faster than the demand for
consumption. it was resolved that the
continued prosperity OF the industry depended
trade of other countries. The or
CARNATIONS, therefore, pledged their sup
port to this government in every
effort to encourage the free exchange OF
commodities throughout the length and
breadth of North. South and Central America.
Ii was further resolved that the government
should be urged 10 regard the inn
portance of including boots and
shoes in the list of favored articles in the sew
eral reciprocity treaties that may be concluded
With the other countries thu Nes.frf cCptl-
nent
Mr.. BLAINE's ASSURANCE.
Mr.. Blaine listened very attentively to what
the shoe men had to say. and asked some ques-
tons that elected a good deal of information
about the trade.
He carried on quite a brisk conversation with
his visitors for fully half an hour. while the
British minister was swinging his heels in the
ante-room.
During the talk the Secretary gave the boot
and shoe folks TO understand that he would do
all he could TO see that their in
terests were not overlooked when
the treaties are formulated and they in turn
assured him that they were heartily in favor
OF the reciprocity scheme and would lend their
best aid TO its development.
AcALL on THE PRESIDENT.
Then the party went over TO the White
House and had talk with the President that
lasted about seven minutes. They put the
case to him in n few words and lie responded
with equal breyitv. though very cordially.
lie told them that he recognized the import
ance o. their industry. and would endeayor TO
secure its recognition rapidly and a. com
pletely as possible from reciprocal point Of
view.
The delegates. who are understood 10 repre-
sent an annual leather production worth $780,
O,GoO, leave for Boston IN the morning.
TALK WITH MR. EMERY.
Mr.. Emery, who is the president OF the Boot
and Shoe Club, said to a STAR reporter:
The opportunity to introduce our boots and
shoes into the countries 20 the south OF us IL
hailed with good deal OF Satisfaction by our
industry. which in common with Others of this
country is suffering from over-production.
The suggestion of the government that relief
may be afforded through reciprocity meets
with warm responses and is believed "a be the
most practicable measure to bring the boot
and shoe trade into a normal condition.
I'VE regard the reciprocity measure rs the
greatest commercial event of the present. des-
timed to accomplish results that will do great
good to the country in general SO far as the
shoe trade is concerned. the United States
possesses the best styles. materials
| skilled labor and inventive and designing
talent, and IL some concession and advantage
can be given TO us whereby equivalent to the
higher cos. of labor can be secured a. Offset.
there Is no reason why the trade cannot he
advantageously inaugurated with the peoples
to the south of u.s.
CAN SUPPLY PEOPLE BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH.
There are nearly 80. 100000 people south and
5000, 900 north of us of whom it is fair to sup
pose one-third wear shoes, averaging
two pairs year, and thus ag-
gregating 36.000,0O0 pairs. II tue
serviceable. low-cost shoe of the United States
can be introduced without materially increas-
ing the cost Of importation. there is reason to
|
be SO increased that in time the aggregate will
be enormously large.
IF one-third, one-fourth or even one-tenth
OF this trade can be secured to the United
States. it will be of universal value. not only
| to the manufacturers but also to many thous-
ands of laborers as well as the hundreds Of
tradesmen who supply them with necessities
prior to the annexation Of California the
business interests OF the country were very
much in the same condition as OF late. The
production was largely in excess of the demand
business done by the pushing and forcing
process, property died down TO small values.
capital was suffering rate of interest that fell
as low as per cent.
1.-The annexation of California. the discovery
| OF gold and the Immigration and trade follow
ing il had the effect of lifting the entire bust
ness interests OF the country from their gloomy
condition. Slumbering industries revived,
sluggishness was quickened TO activity. ami
nation prevailed everywhere: plenty, pros
perity and joyousness prevailed throughout
the land prosperous aud happy time was ex-
perienced until the panic of 81 and the break
ing out of the civil war. The impulse given 10
the industries was the great agency in bring
ing manufacturing and commercial interests to
their present great extent and superiority.
" hat California did for the country in ls49
the added trade which may come to il through
reciprocity measures may do for il now and in
fringing about a state of prosperity such as
seldom been enjoyed