New-York tribune., 1901-11-19
BUSINESS MEN GATHERING
THE NATIONAL RECIPROCITY con-
vENTIoN BEGINS TO-DAY.
DISCUSSION OF THE SUBJECT FROM A
STRICTLY PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW
FxPEcTED-FREE TRADERS NOT
LIKELY TO CONTROL.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUSE.l

ExPEcTED-FREE TRADERS NOT
LIKELY TO CONTROL
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
washington Nov 1S--At 10 o'clock to-Inor-
,opv morning there will assemble in the auditor
fun Of the Raleigh Hotel one CT the most i'm
portant meetings in recent times OF American
business men. The assemblage viii gather un-
der the name Of the National Reciprocity Con-
Sention- In point of numbers the meeting VIII
not be as large the usual city. State or ma
fional political convention. but in the character
and p1rpose of its members it is expected to be
thoroughly representative OF the vast business
activities and expanding commercial spirit OF
the United States Men OF large affairs in every
important industrial centre of the country have
been arriving all day by train. and when the
convention is called 20 order tomorrow morn
ing il is believed that snapshot picture Of 1t
would show composite of the typical Ameri-
can business face All shades of political opin-
Ion will be represented. and this circumstance
;1enGs additional significance TO the convention,
isu view of the fact that the sole purpose Of the
sgathering is to discuss the subject Of Teciproc-
Eity and formulate some expression on that
theme for the assistance Of the national law
eIDakers who to meet for the discharge
s.ot their duties
NOT A POLITICAL GATHERING.
It is considered improbable that the conven-
government On the contrary it is believed that
F1he delegates will scrupulously avoid any utter
lance or action that will SAVIOR OF an attempt to
edictate either the executive the legislative
department of the government With the char
facteristic directness and brusqueness of bust
s1aess men-merchants, manufacturers and hnan-
Lciers-t is expected that they viii confine them
isef7es strictly TO a consideration of the subject
-vrIiich has drawn them together, and it is not
besserted that this convention is TO be in any
sseRse of partisan political complexion 1t is in
ferred that they will devote themselves wholly
70 business AS in such a company assembled
for such purpose, oratory would be out OF
.,lsce little talk is looked for. and few prac-
--fcal business men doctrinaires it would be
z1,rprEsfng If an effort essayed to enunciate
ANY new economic doctrine or fiscal policy In
brief it is confidently believed that the conven-
fion in its inree days sessions will give its at
sfeation wholly study of the theme Of reci-
fprocity in its business aspect only. going care
FULLY over the existing tariff schedules and COM
,oarins, the business conditions OF the country at
nresent with those which existed before the pas
sage Of the D;ngley law. holding in mind the
while the fact that reciprocity logically is
part of the protective system under which the
country has grown in wealth and prestige until
st now occupies place in the front rank OF the
worlds great nations and is causing uneasiness
sand outcry II Europe against its rapid strides
GUIDED BY MKINLEY's IDEAS
: As both Of the great political parties repeat
secIy have advocated reciprocity in their ma |
erio1al platforms, it is natural TO suppose that
the convention will consider these several dec
1aratiens, and, as the Democratic party still is
rbound TO its free trade idol, and is even now
ciarnoring for radical tariff revision. there will
he nothing for the convention TO 90 but reject
practicable and indorse the plan that is now
being natured by tbs Republicans. The broad
principle OF reciprocity, outlined in President
McKinley's great speech at Buffalo just before |
NE shot by the assassin viii be ct once
the guide and Inspiration OF the convention
President Roosevelt has declared 1t his purpose
10 pursue unbroken the policy Of his predeces-
sor, and, he has not Yet written into his first
message TO Congress his Recommendation for
reciprocity, ne may be guided in this work by
the deliberations and results Of the convention
which assemblies Tomorrow. At any rate, the
Presidents advisers are hoping and wishing
mat the convention will display the practical
wisdom necessary to deal with a question Of
such great and pressing Importance, and which
IS sure 10 guide the President, even If the con-
vention should attempt to hamper. rather than
.aid. him in a correct solution OF the problem.
II is expected, Of course. that the convention
viii not he free from jars and sensational at
femp1s 70 swerve il from the straight path of
business marked out for II into the wilderness
Of free trade tnnpracrcalities and Elusive al
luremcnts For days the rumor has been rife
that q scheme is on foot &c stock the convention
with insistent and explanatory free traders.
Already some Of them have made themselves
known in the hotel iobbies But it is not
thought they viii be able to accomplish any
more harm than be done by a bare airing
of their peculiar views and doctrines, the
majority Of delegates promise be of calibre
and character TO understand the Importance Of
maintaining uninpared the present fiscal policy
Of the government The fact that some of the
largest manufacturing industries Of the coun-
I-yr notably the Steel Trust, holding aloof
from the convention is generally regarded by
the genuine friends OF protection and its SUBJ
1irnated form. reciprocity, promise Of benefit
rather than Of injury. With such gigantic con-
Germs unrepresented, the claim cannot be made
that the conventions proceedings were domi-
mated and dictated by a single combination or
q group OF allied interests fer narrow, selfish
purposes
RECIPROCITY WITH CANADA
i is regarded significant that all the cities
which sent representatives TO Washington last
week to urge the President to recommend to
Congress a blanket policy of reciprocity with
Canada viii have strong delegations IL the con-
yention that viii favor so complete let
ting down Of the bars on the Canadian from
tier The Executive and Congress will thus be
enabled to see that the demand for wholesale
reciprocity with Canada is neither strong nor
50 intelligent as was MADE to appear the White
House last week. for even the far Northwest