Evening star., 1901-11-21
Effect Of Reciprocity Convention on
Pending Treaties.
A MAXIMUM and MINIMUM TARIFF
The Idea VIII Be Discussed in
Congress.
PROTECTIONISTS IN POWER

In the opinion of many senators and rep
resentatives the action of the reciprocity
convention, whose sessions in this city have
just closed, will be used with effect in Con-
gress by the opponents of the pending recf-
procity treaties. The advocates o. those
commercial arrangements are not very
hopeful of favorable results at this session.
The recommendation of the convention
for ''the maintenance OF the principle of
protection for the home market, and TO
open by reCiprt city opportunities for in
creased foreign trade by special modifca-
tIon Of the tariff In special cases, but only
where II can be done without injury to any
OF our home interests of manufacturing,
commerce or farming" is construed TO Gep-
recate any reciprocity scheme that would
be practical Strict adherence TO tho wishes
of manufacturer as thus expressed. would
not leave any commodity of foreign produc-
ton, except tea and coffee, = subject for
reciprocal arrangement.
Trade Expansion Coming to the Front.
1t is sald however, that the subject of
trade expansion will come to the front for
consideration and that 1t cannot be
silenced. 1t has been asserted often that
the United States cannot always continue
TO sell everything and buy nothing. While
the theorists are contending over the best
way to settle the problem thus raised
the protected industries Of the country Will
be content TO go right ahead with their
business under the protection Of the Ding
ley tariff act
One of the propositions that may be
brought forward this session is the mini
mum and maximum tariff" plan. A whis-
per Of this was heard last session. Sena-
tor Aldrich, the greatest living tariff ex-
pert of the republican party and the idol
OF the high protectiOnists, contemplated
introducing a resolution last session to
carry out the idea of the minimum and
maximum tariffs. He intended to oppose
the reciprocity treaties with the resoIu-
tion, If the former became imminent.
Senator Aldrfchs plan was to adopt the
Dingley tarin rates as the minimum tariff
then, II a nation Disseminated against
the United States, a maximum tariff 25
per cent higher than the DingIey rates.
should be imposed upon imports from that
country.
The trade expansionists said that plan
would never work; that it was a slap in
the face to nations seeking closer trade re-
latiOns with the United States. Finally
Senator Aldrich was brought around to the
point of considering a reduction from the
Dingley rates the minimum the decrease
being still within the lines of reasonable
protection, however.
Maximum and Minimum Tariff.
Some very prominent members of the
Senate and House have discussed this sub
ject in the last week or two, and 1t is prob
idea will be talked about not a little this
session. One of the leading republican SEN
ators on the finance committee said a day
or two ago in private conversation that In
his opinion this would be the final solution
of all the tariff agitation. Some members
of the House ways and means committee
are also looking into the question with care
p Nearly all European nations have a maxi
mum and minimum clause in their tariffs
and in most cases IL Is said to work satis-
2 1actorfiy. The proposition to apply the
principle In this country has not yet gone
beyond the tentative state and American
economists, IL is said have not familiarfzed
themselves with It's workings outside of a
lew OF the most famous tariff experts.
High Protectionfsts in Power
The high protectionists are in undisputed
power in the House and Senate, In the
former body it is likely their position will
be further strengthened by the addition of
two members to the ways and means COM
mittee, both of whom will be high tariff
men. They are determined to prevent any
action this session that will In any way
infringe the principle of protection as they
construe 1t. They are confident the Presi-
dent Will not advocate departure from the
stand they are assuming.
There Is an element In the House and
Senate. however. in the republican ranks
very uneasy over the tariff situation They
say there Is great unrest in the west over
the high rates in many cases, and that
there is a growing sentiment among re-
publ1cans of that section favorable to re-
Eislon- Some of these men are among the
shrewdest politicians in the republican
party and they say that the party will ul-
tlmately have to recognize the demands of
the west or lose prestige