The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-27
BIG TESTIMONIAL
TO SENATOR FRYE.
rlaine Senator Talks on Trade and
Commerce, and Tells How Our
Growth Has Been Attained.

or Maine, chairman of the SJnited States
senate committee on commerce, was
given a dinner last night at the Waldorf
Astoria. as a testimonial for his efforts
In obtaining Off New York city the i'm
provements allowed in the recent river
and harbor bill passed by congress.
The dinner was given by the follow
Ing associations Produce Exchange.
Marine association of the port OF New
York the steamship interests, Cotton
Exchange, the Chamber OF Commerce.
Merchants association, Board OF Trade,
Board OF Marine Underwriters, National
Board of Marine Underwriters, Coffee
Exchange, Metal Exchange and the
Stock Exchange.
Ex-AIayor William l.. Strong was
chairman of the general committee OF
200 and Gustav II. Schwab was secre-
tary.
Governor Roosevelt and Senator Platt
made addresses previous TO the one de-
livered by the guest OF the evening Mr.
Frye said In part:
THE more | see OF this world the more
1 am delighted with this republic. Cod
scattered his gifts here with prodigal
hand. These gifts were bestowed upon
Intelligent, resourceful men. who made
fairly good use of them. Since the close
of the civil war our progress has been
the marvel OF the world. We have out
stripped the nations in agriculture. In
mining and manufacturing. Our growth
n wealth and population has surpassed
cur widest dreams; out home market
became the best on earth, actually alb
sorbing almost our entire product. This
operated i'm one respect TO our disadvan-
tage; IL tempted us to contentment. in
duced US to neglect foreign markets.
their requirements and necessities.
When, through a bitter experience. we
learned that our product was q third
larger than our consumption; that our
surplus would surely increase year by
year; that we must have a foreign mar
ket or, crab-like, progress backward, we
found ourselves face 20 face with a most
serious problem. Our commercial rivals
were strongly entrenched everywhere;
with subsidized steamship lines entering
ali the great ports OF the world with
banking facilities. business agencies
long established. and a thorough ac-
quaintance with trade requirements
We entered upon the solution Of the
problem with courage and Intelligence
The manufacturers OF our country
formed an association. embracing MEM
bership from nearly every state in the
Union. What has been accomplished?
Last year We imported in round num-
bers S767 900 OF goods, and exported
sl,s02, 100000 or our products. leaving a
balance of over $500. .000. 900 I'm our favor
Our exports exceeded those Of the United
Kingdom.
1T is easy to account for our exports
OF agricultural products; hungry people
bought our wheat, needy manufacturers
our cotton, craving appetites our to-
bacco. But the products OF our manu-
factories were compelled TO meet the
fiercest competition. To seek che same
markets sought by England, Germany.
France Belgium In this COM
mercial war the advantages were not all
with us. our coal and iron were acces-
sible, while our rivals sought them deep
down in the bowels OF the earth. Our
working rpen were better fed, clothed
housed and peid than theirs did more in
telllgent work and accomplished greater
results. The inventive genius OF our
mechanics was decidedly superior 10
theirs. We had another advantage.
Transportation was lower with Us than
with them-a very important item in the
cost OF the finished product.
What of our future? Our success
last year is post gratifying. but our
necessity for foreign markets is certain
TO increase. our wonderful inventive
genius, the brain power of our working
men. our present and our prospective
machinery, the sagacity enterprise and
skill of our manufacturers, all promise
still greater advance. In few years
we shall have n population OF 100, ,000, 600.
What shall this increase do? Farm?
Only a small percentage; for now we
produce enough for our own, and can
supply the necessities of Europe. while
Europe Is steadily increasing her agri-
cultural acreage, rendering her depen-
dence upon us less and less IL is safe
To say That 60. 900 900 of our people will,
In that time, be dependent upon non
agricultural pursuits.
The commercial war upon which the
world has entered will become flor cen.
and fiercer. Germany will be our most
dangerous rival. Her wages paid are
not one-half OF ours. Shall we reduce
ours 20 the plane OF hers? That might
breed a, discomfort which would endan-
ger the republic: would certainly reduce
the purchasing power OF our people. and
still more increase the surplus. Shall
We run our mills on onc-third or one
half time? That would reduce our pur-
chasing power and largely increase the
cost OF our product ! do not believe that
our railroads can reduce freights much
unless new motive power Is found, but