The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-12

United States. or the respective and
minimum rates on such principal ar
ticles. Neither was the commissioner
prepared, when questions We're asked.
to show the amount Of goods import
ed from France last year on which It
is proposed TO lower the rates Of duty
for the benefit of the manufacturers
and exporters on such articles and
goods when impaired into the United
States.
be was not supplied with figures
showing the exports TO France from
the United Kingdom, Germany and
the United States. respectively. of ar
ticles which win be required to pay
the maximum rates of duty even in
case the treaty shall be ratified and
become operative. or the respective
maximum and minimum rates on
said articles which. If imported into
France from the United Kingdom,
Germany and all the other countries
of Europe except Portugal enjoy the
advantages of the minimum rates.
OF course. the information and facts
above are essential to any intelligent
consideration Of the pending treaty
by cctgfess and the Commissioner
promised to supply them as soon as
practicable, in respcnse to the re-
quest of the committee.
Mr.. Kasson's arguments in favor Of
the treaty is said to have been earn
est and skillful as well as strong in
some respects. One statement he is
aid to have made, however. which
viii be sharply challenged by the re-
publicans in both houses of congress
who were actively identified with the
tariff legislation Of 1897 and that was
that many Of the rates were purpose
ly made higher than necessary in or
der to make it easier and more de-
sirable TO negotiate commercial re-
ciprocity treaties with France and
some other European countries.
Several members Of the finance COM
m!itee Of the senate and the ways
and means committee Of the house
have already declared themselves
rointedly and emphaucally in private
conversation against that or any sim
liar assumption which they say is
wholly unwarranted by facts.
Of course the members of the
finance committee are deeply con-
ceTled in the fate of the pending trea-
ty and several Of them are Of the
opinion that as this and other reci-
proc:ty conventions refer exclusive
ly to tariff provisions and raise Of
duty, they should have been referred
to the finance committee in the first
instance instead of TO the committee
on foreign relations. Chairman Da-
Wis, Of the latter committee, appears
to have realized that there was JUS
tice in this contention when he sug-
gested to Chairman Aldrich Of the
finance committee, that he appoint a
Subcommittee to attend to today's
and other hearings with a view to CO.
operate in consideration and action.
The suggestion did not bear fruit,
none Of the members Of the finance
committee being present at the hear
ing except Senator Wolcott, who is
also member Of The committee on
foreign relations.
Later conference was held at
which most Of the republican members
of both committees were present and
the subject was discussed and con-
sidered. Out Of this will probably
come harmonious action on oil the
treaties by the two committees most
deeply concerned.
What members Of the finance COM
mlttee most want are facts such as
have been outlined above, showing
what advantages will be reaped by
the parties to the respective treaties
and whether the French treaty or
any or all Of the pending treaties, If
ratified and carried into effect will
probably result to the advantage Of
the United States. Members of the
committee ON foreign relations are
equally anxious to obtain information
on these essential if not vital points
before they decide whAG action 70
recommend.
The committee on foreign relations
has not yet taken up the Argentine
treaty which, to become operative,
according to its terms must be rati-