Evening journal., 1898-09-02
QUEBEC CONFERENCE.
Commissioners Had a Busy
Day Yesterday.
AMERICAN BUSINESS MEN HEARD.
United States Representatives Listen e
the Lumber, Pulp Paper and FISH
cry Men-Jolnt Session as
Secret as Ever.

the Lumber, Pulp Paper and Fish
cry Men-Joint Session as
Secret as Ever.
QUEBEC, Sept. 2.-Yesterday was the
busiest and most important day so far
In the history of the Quebec conference.
During the forenoon the representatives
II four leading interests Of the United
States were heard by the American
commissioners, and at 2 y. m. the joint
session began at the parliament build
ing and lasted until late In the evening.
The three important industries which
were heard yesterday morning were the
lumber industry. the New England fish
cries and the pulp paper industry. The
men representing these industries all
talked for the same thing-viz., that the
present duties affecting their respective
industries be not changed. They asked
the American commissioners not to en-
.er into any agreement with the Cana
dian government whereby their own
lines Of trade would be disturbed. The
Boston Chamber OF Commerce was also
given a hearing before the American
commissioners, but the argument Of the
Boston men was along entirely different
lines. They asked for a modification OF
the trade relations with Canada and
that relations as near to absolute reci-
procity as possible be secured. The
Chamber of Commerce was represented
by Osborne Hawes, II. Hall and e. c.
Preston Mr.. Hawss, during a talk aft
er the hearing, said:
What we desire is a chance to sell
our manufactured goods in the Cana
dian market. We believe in asking this
OF the Quebec conference. We are
speaking the sentiments of 20O, 900 work
ingmen along the Canadian border Of
the United States. In Massachusetts
alone we manufacture 5000, 1000, 900 worth
of goods each year and we want mar
ket for these goods. We do not fear
competition, for we have the greater
wealth and facilities on our side"
Mr.. Hawes said that the. Boston men
realized that the members of the joint
high commission must keep in mind the
greatest good for the greatest number,
but he hoped they would find il possi-
bic TO establish a better trade basis be-
tween the two countries. The manufac-
turers of the New England states were
particularly deslrous Of getting their
goods into the Nova Scotia and eastern
Canadian markets.
But these were the only representa-
tives from the United States who ask
ed for general reciprocal relations. The
Gloucester fishermen were represented
by Sylvester Cunningham and Sylvanus
Smith. Speaking for the New England
fishermen, Mr.. Cunningham said they
desired the laws governing their indus
try to remain unchanged. He said they
could not afford to do away with the
present duty on Canadian fish for the
Of try inf
foundland waters for bait. ''To estab-
lish free trade in the Atlantic fisheries
now" he said. would mean the certain
transferring Of the American fishing in
dustry TO the Canadian borders"
The United States lumber industry,
represented by Smith s. Randall Of
Maine, Charles w. Goodyear Of Buffalo
and S. T. Mcknight Of Minneapolis, ask
ed for the same action on the part OF
the conference. The present duties i'm
posed upon Canadian lumber should re-
main. To remove the duties would well
nigh destroy the industry in the United
States, and to lower them would mean
serious injury to the American inter-
ests.
Hon. Warner Miller, representing the
pulp paper interests, made a similar ar
gument. He asked that the tariff on
pulp and paper remain as now fixed.
The American commissioners listened
10 the arguments as presented, but gave
no mtimation as to what action would
be taken concerning any of the subjects
by the joint commission.
It Is said that in the joint session the
Alaskan boundary question has contin-
ued to be the subject Of discussion.
Senator Fairbanks was asked last
night If he could indicate what the out
come OF the conference promised. He
replied that so far the work had been
satisfactory and all that had been ex-
pected by either side. The attitude OF the
/ delegations which have appeared here
in opposition to any steps in the way of
reciprocity cause some of the Canadians
/ to predict that the commissioners viii
be unable to accomplish all they have
undertaken to do. They say that Can
ada wants reciprocity above all things
and that the United States does not de-
/ sire this but merely wishes to adjust a
few troublesome questions leaving the
general trade relations as they are.