The Forrest City times., 1901-11-22
Assembling of the National Reci-
procity Convention at the
National Capital.
A PERMANENT ORGANIZATION EFFECTED.
Chairman Theodore C.. search, Of
Philadelphia. Outlined the Work
Before the eCOnventiOn-Many Nam
ufacturing Industries of the Unit
ed states Represented.

Washington, Nov. 20.--Many of the
manufacturing industries of the Unit
ed States were represented at the
National Reciprocity convention,
which began its sessions here. There
were 200 delegates present in re-
sponse to call issued by the Nation
al Association of Manufactures, at
meeting in Detroit, last June. The
convention is representative of all
sections and its object is to give ex-
preston to the views of manufac-
turers generally on the subject OF
reciprocity. ID. A. Tomkins, of Char
chairman, and Theodore c. Search, of
Philadelphia, permanent chairman.
The organization was completed by
election of the following: Nice-C Chair
men, Gen. W. f. Draper, Massachu-
sets; T. l.. Hickman, Georgia.; Chas.
IL. Harding, Pennsylvania; Jas. Deer
ing, Illinois; Titus Sheard, New York
city, and Robert j. Morgan, Ohio.
Secretaries: Edward II. Sanborn,
Pennsylvania, and f. p Wilson, Gin
cinnati.
The convention adopted resolutions
of greeting to President Roosevelt,
pledging its support and expressing
its confidence in his administration.
Mr.. Search, in taking the chair, out
lined the work before the convention.
He said in part:
Our aim has been to forestall tariff
agitation, not TO encourage it. 1t is
the duty of this convention to harm
onize as far as possible the widely-dif-
fering opinions Represented in this
body and TO reduce to clear and force
full expression such principles as we
hold in common. We are here to
harmonic our views, not to empha-
size our differences.
This is no time or place for senti-
ment, for theories, or for statements
that can not be fully substantiated
by facts. | take it we are all agreed
as to certain general propositions,
such as these: That some of the du-
ties embraced in our present tariff
are no longer needful for the exist
ence of the Industries for whose pro-
lection they are imposed.
That many of our industries have
reached stage in their development
where the home market alone can not
absorb their entire product and con-
sequentlY new outlets are necessary
for their continuous operation, and
the steady employment of their oper-
atives.
THAT the establishment of more
cordial commercial relations with
other nations by means of an ex-
change of tariff concessions would en-
large the foreign outlets of those in
dustries for which increased export
trade is necessary.
THAT if such applications of the
principles of commercial reciprocity
eould be made without injury TO any
If our industries and consequent eX-
pansion of our foreign trade would
be beneficial to all our commercial
and industrial interests.
Coffee and tea are about the only
great staple articles of commerce
which we do not produce, and if rec
iprooity be limited to the use of
these two commodities as basis for
negotiations we can not expect to
make much progress. TO insist upon
strict adherence TO such principle in
making application of reciprocity is
virtually to oppose its use in any
practical form.
THE reciprocity that is wanted to-
day is a reciprocity that means some
thing and promises something in the
shap of tangible advantages for our
commerce, not merely expressions OF
kind sentiment toward all The busi-
ness world. but an actual giving and
taking of concessions that will open
wider for us the markets of the
world and broaden the distribution
Of our products"