Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-23
RECIPROCITYPAYS
According to the Ideas OF Theo-
dore c. Search,
FROM A BUSINESS POINT OF VIEW.

Regular Gold Mine for Uncle Sam-Much
Gained and Little Given the Other Party
in Return-Some Figures From the Case
of Cuba-President Cleveland Extends
Civil Service Classification Over the In
dian Bureau-Banx Reports.
WASHINGTON, March 23.-Letters from
persons interested in the re-enactment OF
reciprocity laws continue to be received
by the subcommittee of the ways and
means committee on reciprocity and conf
mercial treaties. A communication from
the National Association of Manufactur.
ers signed by its president. Theodore Z.
Search, Of Philadelphia, is considered by
the subcommittee one of the most impor-
tant that has yet come to hand. Speak
ing for the interests represented by this
association Search says he desires to pre-.
sent arguments bearing upon the advan-
tages of reciprocity as general principle
in international trade. my view OF this
matter" he says, ''is taken from purely
business standpoint, without regard to
any political considerations, for there is
probably no feature of our tariff system,
past or present, that has come SO near as
reciprocity to being n purely business
matter"
Regular Bargain Counter for Us.
He refers To what he regards were bene-
fits derived from the act of 1899, and says
that it requires but glance at the condi.
lions under which the treaties of CONNER
cial reciprocity were negotiated to reveal
now much was gained by this country
and how little was given in return. The
varying effects of the trade with Brazil
under the treaty and after its repeal are
cited. 1t Is in our dealings with Cuba,
however" says President Search, that
the benefits of reciprocity have been most
strikingly shown. Sugar, which formed
the largest item in our imports from
Cuba was placed upon the free list con.
ditional upon the reasonable treatment
OF American products III those countries
from which sugar WAS imported into the
| United States. Under normal trade con
| ditions Cuba would have looked to the
| United States for her supply of bread
! stuffs, etc, but in order TO control the
| trade of her West India colonies Spain
| imposed Il duty OF nearly S5.5 per barrel
| upon American -four.
Increase in Imports and Exports.
"Undcr the reciprocity treaty the duty
! on flour was reduced to 81 per 22J pounds
| and large reductions were made in tho
| duties on other brcadstuffs; the duties OH
fifteen leading commodities were reduced
onc-half and about forty items We're added
to the free list" Under three years of re
ciprocity, it is stated, our trade with Cubc
reached the highest point ever touched
| showing an increase of 5000 00J in eX
ports Sli,01O000 in imports. Upon tht
| passage of the customs law of 1891, which
| compelled the abrocation of this treaty
| Spain Immediately rctaliatcd by incrcas
ing the duty OH -four to $40 per y.
pounds, which caused Il great falling Of
III our exports of that article.
! Matter Of Sclf-PrOtection.
President Search argues that rcciprocit,
commends itself as a sound and judiciou
business principle; that it should be con
sitercd upon Il strictly non-partisan basis
that reciprocity treaties, particularly Will
Latin American countries, are necessar.
as n matter of self-protcction, for treatic
of this character are being or have beef
negotiated between European govern
ments and the South American countries
'In behalf of the enormous industrial in
tercsts represented by this association,
the letter concludes, u desire to urg
with all possible emphasis the necessit
: for such treaty relations with foreign ma
lions rs shall ensure the utmost posSibl
! favor to American products in the ma,
kets of the world"