New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-28
RECIPROCITY LEFT IN THE LURCH

RECIPROCITY LEFT IN THE LCRCi.
The statement Of the majority contains
no alusion TO the reciprocity policy, nor
does the bill directly refer to the rec-
procity provisions of existing law or to
the agreements between the United States
and other countries In accordance Herewith. the
bill, however provides for the admission free OF
duty OF hides sugar and coffee without regard TO
the country of production. and thus not only de-
prves the Executive Of authority to offer induce
ments to any country TO enter into reciprocity
agreements, but removes the inducements which
led Spain. Brazil. Germany. the British west
india colonies and other countries 10 40 SO
Whether those countries will continue to MAIN
tain the agreements after the Inducements shall
be withdrawn remains to be seen. In this rela-
ton II should be added that the revenue derived
from coffee and hides imported into the United
States during the year ended June &c. 1892 from
certain countries with which this country mas no
reciprocity agreements amounted to about $780,
900. No revenue from those sources VIII De re-
ceived In the future II the recommendation OF
the majority Of the Ways and Means Committee
shall be approved and enacted into law, II the
amount mentioned be added to the new free list,
the total will exceed $l4,3OO,O00.
GREAT INDUSTRIES Disseminated AGAINST
Another salient feature Of the bill is the
sharp discrimination against the farmers and
flock-owners. well as against the miners OF
coal. iron and lead, the owners of such mines.
the lumbermen and the salt-producers OF the
United States. Not only have they been dis,
eliminated against in the transfer OF so-called
raw materials to the free list. but in heavy
reductions of duties on other articles which are
equally raw materials" The duty on hay. for
example. is reduced from "a to 81 ton. although
the importations In 1892 under the existing rate
increased nearly three-fod over those OF the
preceding year.
A like heavy reduction is made on nearly
every agricultural product the duties upon which
are not wiped out altogether, as In the case
Of WOOL eggs. flax, hemp. etc The duty OF ],
cents dozen on eggs yielded revenue OF
$522,195 in 1892. and every cent Of 1t was paid
by the Canadians who sold eggs for shipment
10 the United States, If they are to be believed.
They shipped about 100000 bushels OF barley
10 the United States the same year. and paid
500, 900 The majority proposes to reduce this
, duty from 80 cents bushel to 40 PEI cent ad-
yHiorem. and thus save to the farmers Of Canada
about 100000 a year. on the basis of last years
shipments at the expense of the National Treas
ury and the farmers OF the United States.
TIE WOOL AND METAL SCHEDULES.
hut the heavy reductions are by no means
confined to the articles IN which the farmers
and other producers OF so-called raw ma
teriaIs" are especially concerned. They affect
every schedule and nearly every item, except In
cases where rates have been actually increased
through inadversence, and the new rates pro-
posed are as rule too low to enable American
manufacturers TO compete successfully with
their foreign competitors except by making
heavy reductions In wages. 1t Is also evident
that many OF the rates have been reduced be-
low the point which would produce the greatest
amount Of revenue, and are direct ,,s eontraac-
sibly framed-that Of "a tarin for revenue only"
II Ia no worse In that respect, however. than
are other features OF the bill. SUCH for example.
AZ placing on the free list WOOL which yielded
SS.000,000 Of revenue In 1892. The new schedules
Of wool and the metals are among the worst In
the bill.
tFor tert Of ns Tar1 E SEQ pages Eieren and Twelve,