The Washington times., 1901-11-19
FOR EXTENSION
OF OUR TRADE.
Advocates Of Reciprocity to
Meet Here Today.
MEN OF VARYING TARIFF VIEWS.
ter-Harmonious on
the Subject of Increas-
ing Commerce.

More than two hundred business men,
representing widely diversified interests
in different sections Of the United States,
will meet at the Hotel Raleigh today to
consider and discuss methods for in
creasing trade with foreign countries. To
augment commercial transactions with
the people Of other nations they recog
nize the fact tha. governmental assist
ance is necessary.
The conference, for such il is 10 be. is
to devote its attention to the subject of
reciprocity. This problem confronts the
manufacturers of this country: They are
able to produce vastly more goods than
Ire required for consumption by the
American people; American people want
articles which other countries are able to
export and which are not produced with
in our own borders, or are not produced
in sufficient quantity to meet the de-
mands
We have things to SELL and there are
things which we wish to purchase from
others; that which virtually amounts to
what the Yankee terms a swap" is sug-
eested TO meet this contingency. but the
tariff barrier prevents the eonsummation
of the deal. The Government must have
revenue to maintain itself How to in
crease trade without causing a deficit in
the Treasury is a scheme which the dele
gates to the convention hope to evolve.
What Constitutes Reciprocity.
This scheme they term reciprocity, and
consequently the conference today is TO
be known as a reciprocity conference.
There is yet another matter to be con-
sidered in connection with this PROPOSE
ton, and that is not to so far reduce the
protective tariff duties as to cause injury
10 American industries and American la
bor or to handicap these two great fac
tors in the production of wealth when
competing against foreigners.
The convention is held under the aus
pices of the National Association OF Man
ufacturers, of which Theodore C. Search
is president. 1t was decided upon at a
meeting held in Detroit last June, and
the National Capital was selected as the
best place for holding such a meeting.
Only those actively engaged as principals
or executive officers in manufacturing
firms or corporations are to be allowed
TO participate as delegates. Agents and
attorneys in purely mercantile or profess
sional pursuits are barred.
NOn-Pnrtisan in Tone.
The conference will be strictly non
partisan and non-politicaI. Instead, it
viii be strictly business. 1t is, however,
somewhat of a heterogeneous gathering,
composed OF proteetionists, moderate
tarih men, low tariff men, and free trad
eCs, but their opinions are harmonious
10 the extent that means should be
adopted whereby commerce and foreign
trade may be increased. How this much
to-be-desired result should be attained is
a matter upon which there are naturally
some differences.
There was a meeting of the executive
committee last night TO make some pre-
l.minary arrangements and prepare pro- |
Eramme. Today there viii be q discussion (
OF reciprocity with South American coun- /
tries Tomorrow the matter of reci-
procity with European countries ana Can
ada viii be discussed, and following that
IFc general subject Of reciprocity.
Mr.. Oxnard's Letter.
President oxnard, OF the American Beet
Gugar Association in declining an invi-
cation to participate in the conference,
las written the president of the body his
reasons for suca action. The convention,
according to his information, would be
composed, he said. in part, of free trade 4
leagues or organ izations whose economic !
affiliations are and long have been radi- (
csliy antagonistic u the principles of both I
prJsec1ivh and reciprocity, as defined by /
the last Republican, \NationaI Convention; (
would contain num9ous delegates rar--
sfuting the manufact--ars - nave long
been beneficiaries OF the protective tariff .
but row desire TO broaden reciprocity. re .
gardless Of its effects on developing home 4
industries in order to secure additional .
raw material at lower duties.
A. the several elements mentioned
would probably constitute a majority OF
the convention, and would combine TO ig-
more or broaden the limitation on an ap-
plicaJion OF reciprocity as defined by the
last Republican National Convention,
hich ne understands is the purpose OF
ihc convention 10 the extent Of allowing
sugar to be made the basis for reciprocity
agreements. the attendance OF delegates
from The American Beet Sugar AssOcia-
lion, he says, would be necessarily pre-
cluded