The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-28
MEETING OF MANUFACTURERS.
THEIR NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
TALKS OF THE TARIFF.

RESOLUTIONS on the Subject RepOrted
by a Committee Bring ON an Inter-
estinE Debnte-The Resolutions
Declare That Duties should BE as
Low as Possible Consistent with
Adequate PrOtectiOn-Congre Al
so Urged to Rc-eStabIish ana EN-
tend the system of Reciprocity.
Philadelphia, Jan. 27-The convention of
the National Association of Manufacturers
in session here to-day adopted resolutions
taVorlng the Tennessee Centennial Expo
sitlon, which opens its gates on May /, 1897,
and recommending that the members Of
the National Association of Manufacturers
give it their most cordial support
The committee to consider the question
of tariff reported the following resolution:
Resolved, That it is the sense of the
National Association of Manufacturers
that the tariff law should be revised at the
earliest possible moment, in order that UNI
certainty may be removed, confidence re-
stored and business permitted to revive.
RESOLVED, That rates of duty should be
made as low as possible consistent with
adequate protection of our manufacturing
and agricultural Industries and the labor
they employ The tariff should contain
only specific duties or mixed ad valorem
and specific duties.
Resolved, That congress be invited to
re-establish and extend the system OF re-
ciprocity which may be employed to Sc
cure for US tariff favors in Latin American
and other markets, in which we are the
largest buyers, while Europe is the prefer
red seller, solely because of the lower
wage rates and lower general costs OF pro-
duction in European factories"
The resolutions caused a lively discus
sion.
MIR. Hamilton of California contended
that importers had no business in the con-
Vention, as their interests are directly OPP
posed to the interests of the manufachr-
ers of the United States. He asserted that
congress is composed largely of lawyers
and scheming politicians, who hold the
country up simply to get the popular
vote of the country.
Mr.. Hamilton said he had no use for
the convention if 1t did not demand ade-
quate protection.
Mr. Hamilton charged that the import
ers of the country are lobbying to have
the ways and means committee make the
duties in the new bill as low as possible.
Mr.. Hamilton spoke earnestly, as he
pleaded for high protective tariff, and
Mr. Hastings of Delaware, criticised
Mr. Hamilton's remarks as tending to
mislead, probably unntentionally the
convention as to the sense of the resolu-
tions.
Mr.. Hastings argued that the words in
the resolution SHOULD be made as low as
possible" did not mean that American in
dustries should receive full protection.
Mr. Hamilton replied to Mr.. Hastings.
and objected to the resolution being made
to represent the sense of the association
on the question of the tariff. Mr.. Hamil-
ton prophesied that the competition OF
Japan and other Oriental countries would
ruin the United States unless their goods
are barred out. Mr.. Hamilton asked that
the words ''as low as possible" in the
resolution, DO stricken out
In the course of his remarks, Mr.. Ha-
milton referred to Mr.. Hastings busi-
ness-iron plates-and Mr.. Hastings re-
piled that he did not want any higher Pro
lection in his business, and he believed he
voiced the wishes of all those in his
business when he said that the present
duty was high enough.
Heber Clarke replying for the commit
tee stated that the resolutions were pre-
pared with the idea of meeting the wishes
of all as far as happy mean between eX-
IRENE high protection and low protec-
ton.
Mr. Clarke explained that the word lad
equate" was intended to mean a duty
which would protect, for instance, II one
article wants 10 per cent. protection ana
another 100 per cent, then the association
asked for these duties. and so adequate
protection would be afforded each of these
industries.
Mr.. Tompkins of North Carolina, ar
gued against extreme protectionists, and
the free traders and favored the resolu-
tious.
]. F. Hanson of Macon Ga. a member of
the committee, argued at length in favor
of the resolutions. Mr.. Hanson commended
that a moderate tariff with fair protec-
ton should be asked for.
Mr. Soloman of Newark N J., regis
tered himself against the words "as low as
possible"
An amendment striking out the words
"as low as possible" and substituting the
words shall be as low as consistent with"
was offered On a vote the amendment was
agreed by a vote of 70 to 81.
on motion the words "rates of duty
were changed to read that duties shall be
ass etc.
The resolutions were then adopted
unanimously.
1t was agreed to send a copy of the res
olutions as passed to each member of this
and the next congress.
Inc lOliOWlhS iSSolueloh NV AiNit
the committee on resolutions was agreed
to after some debate: That the Senate
of the United States is hereby urgently re-
duested to enact such law as will allow
distilers to bottle distilled spirits in bonds,
so that the restrictions now placed upon
our manufacturers which prevents the ex-
portation of distilled spirits in bottles and
cases In bond may be removed, thereby
largely increasing our export trade to all
parts of the world, particularly in Central
and South America and Mexico; and at
fording our manufacturers opportunity for
successfully competing with foreign com
petitors, particularly Canadian distillers
who now enjoy this privilege TO the detrl-
ment of home producers.
RuUNsWICTk,S COMMERCE.