Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-10
Agitation of Commercial Relations
With Foreign Countries.
THE POSITION OF THE PRESIDENT
Proposed Revision of the Tariff by
Mr.. Babcock.
D is Gu SSION DEPRECATED

Since the day when the late James G..
Blaine smashed his hat in the room of
the Senate finance committee in his vehe-
mence while advocating the principle Of
reciprocity in connection with a pending
tariff bill there has not been as much in
terest in reciprocity as at present.
There Is every indication that this sum-
mer and fall prior to the assembling of
Congress in December will witness a dis
cussion of reciprocity and so-called tariff
REFORM that will stir Industrial and politi-
cal circles to the center. The President
himself started the ball rolling on his west
ern trip by his carefully worded references
to reciprocal commercial relations with
foreign countries. There has been a daily
increasing amount of agitation in the pub
lie press which has served to arouse the
politicians and the defenders of extreme
high tariff are rallying to resist the ag-
gressions of the "reformers."
The Presidenfs Position.
There has been considerable contention
as to the actual attitude of the President;
that Is, as to the extent to which he would
carry reciprocity and permit it possibly to
encroach upon the protective tariff system
now in operation. A visiting Frenchman
who interviewed him not long ago went
away with the idea that the President was
receding from the position which he took
as the author of the Mckinley bill in ad-
vocacy Of high protective tariff.
No one has presumed to speak for the
President, who, it is said, will probably in
the next public speech he makes, effectuaI-
ly clear away any ground for misappre-
henSion upon this score. In the meantime
it is asserted that the Presidents present
position may be assumed to be in line with
the declaration of the republican platform
upon this subject, announced lust a wear
ago and follows:
I'VE favor the associated policy of reci-
procity so directed as to open our markets
on favorable terms for what we do not
ourselves produce in return for free for
eign markets.
Il is pointed out that in this declaration
there is distinctly saving clause which
should reassure the American manufac-
turer that the republican party is not
bent upon Withdrawing protection from any
point where it is needed, even in exchange
for a greater foreign market.
The course of the last Congress was in
line with that policy. The West Indian
reciprocity treaties, pending in the Senate,
did, it was alleged, threaten the beet sugar
industry of this country that has thrven
under the protection of the tariff. The
West Indian treaties could not get day in
court in consequence. Another treaty, pro-
posed with France, was more favorably re-
cefved because it contained no provision
contemplating material reductions of tariff
that is, extensive in effect.
AfoPVsSu AufAA kNeNISkou
Associated with this subject Of reciprocity
that is just now attracting much atten-
ton is the proposed revision" of the tariff,
especially on articles whose manufacture
and distribution are controlled by alleged
monopolies. The same men who advocate
the principle of reciprocity are the most
vigorous opponents of the proposed revision.
Reciprocity, they say, presupposes bar
gain, the getting of something in return for
a concession. The revsers who favor Mr..
Babcock's bill, 1t Is alleged. would merely
make market in America for foreign
procity would, it is claimed, open our mar
kets for what we do not ourselves pro-
duce," thereby sacrificing in. no way Ameri-
can labor. The most serious charge made
against the Babcock revision is that 1t
would react Immediately upon American
labor.
Officials of the government. especially those
who are concerned with collecting the reve-
nue. and keeping account OF the receipts
from customs duty. deplore the apparently
inevitable reopening OF the tariff question.
1t unsettles business, they say, to serious
degree Importation falls off when there Is
uncertainty as to what Congress Is going
to do with the tariff, and that means de-
crease in the revenues.
There will undoubtedly be strong effort
in the beginning of Congress to lay this
troublesome question. Some Of the older
members Of the ways and means committee.
having in mind the serious effects OF a pro-
longed tariff discussion, and at the same
time looking out primarily for the integrity
of the Dingley act. are expected to attempt
to secure a conference OF republicans, prob
ably not approaching the formalty of a
caucus, to deprecate further talk about the
tariff and put an end to all uncertainty.