New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-30
1JrMBERMEN AND RECIPROCITY.

A CONCESSION FROM ARGESTINA-oPPosiNo AN
AGREE TENT WITH CANADA.
w.,,,np,on DE. a-The lumber and other inter-
ests which might affected by reciprocity 'reateS
IRA watching closely through their representatives
here all that concerns them Tho principal repre-
sentative OF the lumbermen Is Theophilus Iuhis'
chairman OF the Executive Committee OF the Ma
,,onal Jumbermen's Association. He has had sew
eral interviews with Commissioner Kasson and has
received the following letter from him announcing
the success OF efforts to prevent Argentina from
striking blow at American pine
Washington. December a.
Sir Il may crafty you to know that an official
Buenos Ayres Informs us that the Argentine Cham
Der of Deputies has declined the Governments prop
s0n for yaes o o' 0" The bill the
further action CT the other chambers
Mr. Tunis has also been Informed that cable
dispatch from the Minister at Rio announces that
the Brazilian Government will remove the discrim-
nations against American -ship-o"ners. which
should result In the resumption Of the flour trade
with that port. He Is Of tho opinion that tho dis
eliminating clauses Of the Dingey bill caused these
decisions OF Brazil and Argentina.
The lumbermen are now chiefly apprehensiye that
their product may have to bear the brunt OF Cana
dian reciprocity negotiations. and Mr. Tunis to-day
authorized tie following interview on this phase OF
tho problem:
!: Is evident the Administration is bent on com:
ulerclal treaty Win canada under Section 4 OF
the Dingey bill AS chairman of tho Executive
Committee OF the National Lumbermen's Conven-
tion ! have said to Commissioner Kasson. what
est We represent. employing more than six hun
dred thousand workingmen and directly Supporting
population OF more than three millions OF people
asks for special privilege While they are will,
Ing to pay a duty for other manufactured goods
equal to " or 10 per cent of their value they only
ASK for their own less than 70 per cent. AS they
then said, they are unwilling TO be singled out Of
all the other manufacturing industries OF this coun-
try 10 test tho theories OF free trade They are
policy Of the Government looking to the extension
OF our export trade and will cheerfully 90 as FAR
In the contamination Of that policy AZ will any
other interest but are unacrably opposed TO shar-
Ing with coal and Ash the burden of a policy which
the great masses OF our people utterly indif-
ierent to- but which is urged on the Administra-
ton by few Americans interested in the seal
fisheries and few other American citizens who
are owners OF Canadian forests. As a matter OF
principle policy and business the average Ameri-
can student OF everyday affairs can see no more
reason, Justice or demand for reciprocity with
Canada than with her imperial mother our best
customer for our wheat corn. hay. cotton lumber
etc. all Of which she buys, not any sentimental
grounds but simple because she wants them
The danger to our interests lies in reciprocity
with nations located In the same temperate zones
as our own. and OF whose products we are entirely
independent The case may be different in the
countries In the tropics. producing things which we
need and which cannot be produced at home Rem
resentatives and Senators from the South regard
less Of politics realize that reduction In the duty
on white pine would be ms harmful to them and
their constituents as II is to the white pine hem
lock and spruce interests In Michigan. Wisconsin.