The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-10
TO Do UNTO OTHERS
SUBCOMMITTEE on WAYS AND
MEANS Has A BILL READY.

Reciprocity Measure Which Gathers Up
the Various Measures Hitherto Pro-
posed-To Bring Other Nations to a
Golden RuIe Frame of Mind by Giving
Each a Taste of It's Own Tariff SAUCE
Incidentally il Will Head on the III
Effects to the United States of MI.
ChamberIain's Customs Union scheme.
Washington, April s--The sdb-com-
LlirJee " ne COMMITTEES IN ways anc
means wii-ois has been conducting an N
vestization ito the results of the recent
reciprocity policy Of the government
has agreed TO report 10 the IG4I COM
nittee. as a substitute for the large
number Of measures that have been
proposed IN congress during this ses-
sion relating 10 reciprocity and retalia-
ton, a bill which was offered by Mr..
Hopkins in the house Of representatives
today.
The bill comprises five sections under
the caption Of "a bill 10 increase ana
equaIize the trade Of the United States
with foreign nations by the negotiation
of reciprocal commercial Arrange
menIs."
1t differs materially from the old re-
ciprocity provision OF the Mckinley acl
in that il does not offer lower rates
than those now established TO nations
entering upon the agreements, out
simply relieves them from the IMPOSE
ton of additional duties
WHAT THE BILL PROPOSES.
The first section recites that for the
purpose of edualizing the trade OF the
United States with foreign countries,
the president is authorized and directed
as soon as may be after the passage or
the act, TO enter into negotiations with
the several classes of countries, with
the view TO the arrangement or CONNER
cial agreements in which reciprocal and
equivalent concessions may be secured
in favor of the products Of the farm, for
ests, fisheries, mines and manuIactur-
les of the United States. These coun-
tries are those who export more 10 US
than We send 10 them; those whose ex-
norris are admitted free Of duty here;
those whose exports are admitted into
the United States at a lower average
rate than they impose on our exports
to them; those that impose higher duties
on our products than they impose on
those Of like character coming from 9TH
er countries, and those that impose I'M
Just, excessive and obstructive restrlc-
tons upon imports from the United
States. The second section OF the Dill
gives any such arrangement that may
be made by the president the force OF
law, upon publication The third sec
ton provides that if any country in
=. IL 70
enter into a reciprocal arrangement
proposed by the president, making such
concessions as he shall deem equival-
ent. the president shall by proclama-
ton announce the fact and thereupon
the highest rates of duty known in any
of our tariff acts since January l, 1850.
shall Immediately imply 10 the imports
from such country. The fourth section
of the bill provides means by which
any country on which the excessive du-
ties lie may secure their remission by
making concessions deemed sufficient
by the president, and entering into an
agreement. The last section provides
that the act shall go into effect imme-
dbately upon its passage.
HOPKINS EXPLAINS.
In explanation Of his bill Mr.. Hopkins
said tonight;
THE bill Is intended to anticipate the
possible adoption of the policy proposed
for Great Britain by Mr.. Chamberlain,
as well as to meet the Instructions that
are being continually offered by other
governments in the form Of high tariffs
and restrictive regulations against the
Importation Of our merchandise.
with the governments of such coun-
tries and colonies the president is au-
thOriZed to negotiate reciprocity ar
rangementS which viii equalize trade
and secure for our products in their
markets the same advantages that their
products enjoy in ours. 1t is not in
tended 10 demand that other nations
shall revolutionize their commercial
systems or abolish their tariffs. but that
they shall be asked TO make cOnces-
sions IN our favor that are at least
equivalent TO those We have already
made in their favor, and II they decline
to do so. It viii simply be common jus
tice 10 our own interests 20 revoke what
we have voluntarily offered them, and
reimpose the duties thar were assessed
upon their exports 10 US.
This bill contemplates no reduction
in the duties now charged upon import
ed merchandise by the laws OF the Unit /
ed States. 1t removes no protection. II [
imperils no interests. As Mr.. Blaine ed- /
vised, it proposes to use the tariff TO I
trade on, and ask our foreign neighbors I
to adopt the golden rule n commercial ,
reciprocity"
PETS IN The LUMBER CAMPS. !