The age-herald., 1897-10-15
l SPECIAL COMMISSION
To Look After the Reciprocity
 Sections
OF THE NEW TARIFF ACT
Named by the President in the Person of John 
 ! A. Kasson of lowa-What His
 Duties Are.

Washington, Oct. 14.-The president missioner with plenary powers to carry into effect the reciprocity provisions of sections 8 and of the tariff act, approv- ed July "A, 1897. Ut was found, upon making an Investigation of the matter, that the regular force of the depart ment of state is a present so overcrowd- ed with pressing, business that serious delay in carrying out the expressed wish of congress would inevitably follow, if, in addition to the usual routine work of the department, its officers were re- quired to perform the special examina- lions and negotiations essential to carry out the will of congress as expressed in the sections above referred to.
 Moreover the pressure for early and consistent action in the arrangement of measures of reciprocity have been very great from foreign countries as well as from our own cifenS. The interest of the president in reciprocity is especially keen, and durng his connection with the tariff legislation of 1890, while chairman of the committee on ways and means of the house of representatives, the inclu- sion was conclusive of his determina ton to further aid and promote American industry and commerce by these means.
 In view of the facts, the president has designated the Hon. John A. KaEison of Iowa, ais such special commissioner, with Mir. Chapman Coleman of Ken lucky, as secretary, and MT. John Bah Osborne of Scranton, Pa, as assistant secretary.
 The commissioner is charged partic- ularly to look after the agricultural in- terests, both north and south, not for getting the large and consantly increas- ing manufa curing interests east of the AneghemnieS.
 MT. Kasson has had a varied experi- ence in diplomatic negotia tions and has shown much ability in all with which he has been connected.
 He was minister to Austria from June Il, 1877, to May, 1881; minister to Germa- ny from July 4, 1884, to March, 1885. He was also one of the commissioners to represent the government of the Unitsd States at the conference held in Berlin concerning Samoan affairs and is one of the slgnatori.s of the Berlin general act concluded January IA, 1889. He was then commissioned as special envoy and LIlliilSltT piSItpOlChlioiy, Aio Soiiii-o" sion bearing date of March IS, 1889. Pre- ceding his diplomatic servic+ MT. Kas son was for many years a member of the ways and means committee of the house of representatives and in that place became thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the tariff question and de- bates on the subject.
 Mir. Osborne has also been connected with the diplomatic service of this gov ernment. For number of years he was secretary of the United States embassy at Berlin, where he entered the service as second secretary. He is a dep stu dent of economic questions and lin- guist of more than usual ability. He is master of the German tongue, both spoken and written. He was strongly recommended to the president as consul general at Berlin. Because of his expe- seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeshrdlu hrdlu taocmfwy rience he is expected to render valuable service to Mr. Kasson in dealing with this question: MT. Osborne nails, as has besn stated, from Scranton, pa., and has also studied the questions that will necessarily arise in covering the question raised by sections and of the tariff law. His father was a warm per- sonal fri@nd of the president, but is neither directly nor collaterally con nected with him.
 It Is expected that the commission will be speedily organized and promptly be- gin its important labors. It will b., es- tablished in the department of state, where suitable quarters have been as- signed by. direction of Secr=tary Sher- man. sss