Evening star., 1896-03-30
FOR RECIPROCITY
MIR. Smith Of Michigan Introduces
a Joint Resolution.
A COMMISSION OF FIVE PROVIDED
The Ways and Means Committee
Considering a Bill.
THE SAME OBJECT IN VIEW

The subject OF reciprocity is receiving a
great deal Of attention at the hands of
members Of Congress. Among republicans
there is very general belief that the for
eign trade of the United States can best be
extended by means of wisely drawn rec:-
proc:ty treaties.
Representative William Alden Smith, the
young Michigan member, who has taken
quite a prominent part in the deliberations
of the republicans of the House since he
entered the present Congress, has given
considerable thought to this subject, and
today introduced the following joint reso-
luton in the House:
Resolved by the Senate and House Of
Representatives of the United Statos of
America, in Congress assembled, That there
shall be, and is hereby created arfd eslab-
Hshed, a commission to be known and
designated as a reciprocity commission,
consisting of five members, not mere than
three OF whom shall be of The same polite
al party, to be appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Senate, who shall
hold their offices during good behavior, un-
less sooner removed for cause by the Presi-
dent.
Sec. 2. Said commission shall be consti-
tuted IS follows: One member shall be APP
pointed on account of distinguished diplo-
matte or consular service, one member
shall be appointed familiar with and exper-
fenced In the administration Of the customs
laws OF the United States, and three mem
bers shall be appointed distinguished Tor
their ability In commercial and manufac-
turing experience.
Organize after appointment and confirma-
tion in the city Of Washington, and shall
devote Its entire and undivided attention
10 the work OF originating and pcrfecting
trade treaties with European powers and
the governments Of the western hemi-
sphere, such treaties TO be promptly SUBJ
mitted to the President Of the United States
for proper action.
thorize1 and empowered to hold its sessions
at such times and places as may. in its
judgment. be necessary to accomplish the
purposes of this act. and they shall be paid
imbursed their actual and necessary ex-
penses by them incurred in the discharge Of
their official duties.
The subcommittee on reciprocity of the
ways and means committee of the House
has also been considering this subject OF
extending the trade Of the United States
by securing special concessions from for
eign countries by the granting OF equal
privileges. Representative Hopkins of
Illinois, the chairman of the subcommit-
tee, has held hearings on the subject with
view to drafting bill for the appoint
ment OF a commission, similar TO that
proposed by Mr.. Smith of Michigan. To a
Star reporter today Mr.. Hopkins said nc
had been amazed at the way in which the
United States is Disseminated against In
Its commerce. He believes as docs Nr.
Smith, that there should be a special COM
mission, the members of which would
make 1t their business to discover these
determinations and to propose remedies
In The way Of reciprocity treaties. which
would be recommended to the President
for his action. There is a favorable feel
Ing toward this class of legislation in Con-
gress. and 1t is likely that before the pres.
eht session is over an effective effort will
be made to secure legislative action.