The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-16
RECIPROCITY.

The DuD-commlttce VI .ho Soh"'iteoo
on ways and n neans having in charge and
under consideration bills relating to the
restoration OF reciprocity will, for the
purpose OF obtaining certain Information
concerning the effect OF the POLICY as i'm
augurated under the tariff act OF 1890, and
the effect Of the repeal or abandonment
of the same by the SD Congress, grant to
all persons desiring to be heard on the sub
ject an opportunity tor that purpose. The
hearings begin today. The sub commit
tee states that the hearings will be con-
fined exclusively to the subject OF reei-
procity, its effect upon our foreign ana
domestic trade, tho effect OF its repeal
upon such trade, and whether or not
since its repeal foreign countries have
Disseminated in any way against our
products when exported to such
countries
In connection with these hearings the
comm ittee has sent out to persons, firms
and corporations who may be supposed
10 have ideas on the subject the following
list OF questions
]. Give full! memo ana address Of firm or
company.
2. Lines Of manufacture.
8. Amount Of capital, number OF persons
employed, and value Of annual product.
T. Do you find your market at home or
abroad, and. IL both, in what proportionf
s. Do you sell direct to foreign dealers or
through commission hous'sS
q. Have you made any direct effort 10 ex-
tend your foreign trade. and, II 81, by what
mcars, with what success and IN what coun-
triesf
7. Are you aware OF any discrim nations Of
obstacles in the laws or lcustoms regulations
Of any foreign country that restrict or pre-.
won't the extension of your trade; and. IL so.
can you suggest any means By which they
may be removed2
5. What changes have tcsrtly occurred In
the tar.ffs Of for.ign countries so far as they
relate o your lines OF manufacturer
o. How far would tho removal or reduction
OF the customs duties imposed by foreign ma.
tions upon tho merchandise in which you
deal aid in tho extension of your export
trader
10. What Is the outIu Of your establish
ment compared with that of Fix years asoS
IL. How does the present cost Of production
compare with that of six years ago, including
wages, the cost of raw material, and trans
portation rat,s by sen and lBndf
I2. How do present selling prices compare
with those of FIX years sgof
49, What competition do you meet with
from foreign manufacturers, and in what
markets2
IA Wnat advantages do your foreign com.
potitors have over you In tho cost Of manu-.
facturo and In transportation charges to for
eiep marketsf
l5 To what extent can you compete with
foreign manufacturers In quality and prices ?
10. Has tho total product Of the United
States in your line Of manufacture increased
or decreased during the last six yearsf
II. What proportion OF the total pre- esent and
possible output In your lines Of manufacture
in tho United States can 10 absorbed by the
domestic market; and whist would be your
estimate OF the natural surplus for export IL
all manufacturers In your lines were produc.
this inquiry is to secure rs accurate an tsti-
mate rs possible Of the necessity for new
foreign markets to the manufacturers Of tho
United States.)
IL. Was the general ell. ct Of the reciprocity
treaties made In 1890 favorable or unfavorable
to the export trade Of the Unitod states, and
what was tho effect Of their ropealf
10. What wes the effect upon farm products
particularly
(If your replies 10 Inquiries IL and IS are
based upon actual experience, please give
details es fully as possible.)
80. Do you favor thu application Of the re-
ciprocity principle &c future tariff legislation,
and the enactment of general law authoriz-
ing tho President 10 nesotiatc reciprocity
treaties with both European and American
nalions. SO far as possiblef
1t is perhaps indicated by these ques-
tions that the committee has leaning
toward reciprocity at the outset Of its
Investigations dni, the brief experience
that was had with reciprocal trade
arrangements made with certain foreign
countriss justifie such a leaning. The
53d Congress wired out reciprocity along
with many protective duties and while
reciprocity could never Ggure in system
of free trade, there is reason for holding
tie opinion that in any revised tariff bill
reciprocity Will In the future be a factor.