The herald., 1896-03-23
REQUESTING RECIPROCITY
THERE IS MUCH TO Be GAINED AND
LITTLE To LOSE
The American National Association Of Farn-
ers, by Its President, Asks for Free Trade
Under Another Name-Importance Of the
Trade With Cuba
Associated Press Special Wire.


WASHINGTON, March 22.-Letters from
persons interested in tho re-enactment of
reciprocity laws continue to be received by
the subcommittee of the ways and means
committee on reciprocity and commercial
treaties. That Of the American National
Association of Farmers, signed by it's
president, F. c. Zarich of Philadelphia, is
considered by the subcommittee one of
the most important that has yet come to
hand. Speaking for the interests repre-
sented by this association, Mr.. Zarich
says he desires to present argument bear
ing upon the advantages of reciprocity as
general principle in trade.
''My view of this matter" he says, "is
taken from purely business standpoint.
without regard to any political considera.
ton, for there is probably no feature of
our tariff system, past or present, that has
come 80 neay as reciprocity to being
purely business matter. To this fact may
be attributed the enthusiastic support
which the principles of reciprocity have re-
ceived from mon Of widely differing politi-
cal views"
He refers to what he regards were the
benefits derived by the act Of 1890, and
says that it requires but a glance at the
conditions under which the treaties of COM
mercial reciprocity were negotiated to re-
veal how much was gained by this country
and how little was given in return. The
varying effects of trade with Brazil under
the treaty and after its repeal are cited.
"It is in our dealings with Cuba. however,"
says President Xarich, "that the benefits of
reciprocity have been strikingly shown.
Sugar. which formed the largest item in
free list conditionally upon the reasonable
treatment of American products in those
countries from which sugar was imported
into the United States. Under normal
trade conditions Cuba would have looked
to the United States for her supply of
I-k.v rk. tx.vks l<,-t t-- -.1k H.
trade of her West India colonies, Spain
imposed a duty of nearly $3.50 per barrel
upon American flour. Under the reciproc-
ity treaty which Secretary Blaine nego-
tiated with Spain, the duty on flour was
reduced to 81 per 22O pounds; large re-
breadstuffs; the duties on fifteen leading
commodities were reduced one-half and
about forty items were added to the free
list.'
Under three years of reciprocity. it is
stated, our trade with Cuba reached the
highest point ever touched, showing an in
crease of $S,OOO.OOO in exports and $14.-
100000 in imports. Upon the passage of
the customs law of 1894, which compelled
the abrogation of the treaty, Spain inn
mediately retaliated by raising the duty
on flour to $4.75 per 22O pounds, which
caused great falling Oft in our exports of
shat article.
II wish to give particular emphasis to
the importance of our relations with Cuba
under the reciprocity treaty." President
Zarich says, "because that island Is our
best customer to the southwark. With the
advantages enjoyed under reciprocity the
United States was assured the practical
control of the Cuban trade.''
Mr.. Zarich argues that reciprocity COM
mends itself as q sound and judicial busi-
ness principle; that it should be considered
upon strictly non-partisan political basis; !;
that practical application demonstrated
the ability of reciprocity treaties to extend
and enlarge our foreign trade under ex-
ceedine favorable conditions; that they
rendered valuable service in effect
ing more cordial relations be-
tween the United States and other
nations; that reciprocity treaties, particu-
larly with Latin American countries are
necessary as q matter of self-protection
for treaties of this character are being or
having bsen negotiated between European
governments and South American coun-
tries.
'In behalf of the enormous industrial in
terssts represented by this association
desire to urge with all possible emphasis
the necessity for such treaty relations with
foreign nations as shall ensure the utmost
possible favor to American products in the
markets of the world.''
Other replies favoring reciprocity have
been received from various sections of the
country, the west being represented.
Replies favorable to reciprocity were
also received from persons interested in
manufacturing flour, carpets, drugs, street
cars, engines, iron, steam generators, lin
seed oil, mattresses, silk, harvesters, tri-
cycles, etc.
The Cleveland (Ohio) chamber of corn.
merce, Sioux City Commercial association.
other commercial bodies replied in favor
of reciprocity.