Evening star., 1901-10-22
Growth of Movement to Emphasize
Trade interests.
FREE SILVER Is PROBABLY DEAD
Many Subjects to Be Included
in Department Of Commerce.
MANUFACTURERS TO MEET

To those who see politics in the work-a-
day affairs of men there is a most interest
ing Kaleidoscope formation of national po-
Htical issues going on at the present time.
These issues are forming by the drawing
together of various commercial interests of
the country, each with view Of perpetual
ing present conditions and perfecting minor
details. 1t is apparent that there Is no one
great political object to be sought by the
business world. None of these interests
fear an attempt to make silver an issue,
and all can unite under one broad banner
Of commercialism.
There are many features in this connec-
ton which. will doubtless be brought to the
front in the next national platform of the
republican party-features, which in the
nature of things formed minor part of
that platform in the last campaign be-
cause Of the greater evils to be combatted.
Commerce, however, will be the keynote.
To emphasize this, and to properly provide
for the continued care of it's every interest,
department of commerce, with an addi-
demanded. That this demand will be ac-
ceded to on the part of republican party
leaders there is no doubt.
Under it's head would be grouped many
interests now separated and distributed
among various departments of the govern
ment.
Good roads. which are the first necessity
of the countrys commerce, would naturally
form an important bureau in the new de-
partment Likewise also could all the vari-
Gus ramifI cations of commercial procedure
be represented and looked after by experts,
coming directly under the eye of the ex-
ecutive through his secretary of commerce.
The construction Of the Nicaraguan canal
Is also one of the commercial developments
of the country which is ripe for considera-
tion and action, and which will doubtless
be heard from in politics.
A Manufacturers' Convention.
Perhaps the most apparent indication of
united action along the line Of commercial
progression at the present moment is the
gathering of representative manufacturers
from all parts Of the country in This city
November IL, for the purpose of discussing
the expediency and practicability of the
broader application Of the principles Of
commercial reciprocity as a means of ex-
panding foreign markets for American pro-
ducts.
A preliminary meeting to complete ar
rangements for this convention was held
in Philadelphia yesterday. 1t was decided
that none but manufacturers would be al
lowed to participate in the reciprocity con-
ference. and that no lawyers, merchants
or professional men will be allowed voice
in the deliberations.
1t was stated by President Theodore c.
Search of the National Association of Man
uIdCtuTSTS, WHO pT6Slu6u at the meeting
yesterday, that the convention was not to
be a promiScuouS or disorgan1Zed mass
meeting, but thoroughly organized con-
vention Of properly accredited delegates,
and that the deliberations would be limited
exclusively to reciprocity.
Text of the Call.
To this end the following call was issued
by the committee yesterday:
"In pursuance of a suggestion advanced
hy tha National Association of Map,fac-
turers at it's annual convention in Detroit
in June, 1901, and subsequent action by
the executive committee of that associa-
tion, arrangements have been made for the
holding of a national reciprocity conference
in Washington on November 10. The sole
purpose Of this conference is to discuss
the eXpediency and practicability of the
broader application of the principle of COM
mercial reciprocity as a means of expand
ing foreign markets for American products,
without sacrificing the interests of any Of
our industries.
1.-The object of this convention is to ascer-
tain accurately the views of representative
manufacturers on this subject and to form
ulate, If possible, some practical sugg,s-
tfons for such legislation or diplomatic ne
gotiation as may be necessary to establish
more intimate commercial relations be-
tween the United States and other nations.
Your organization is invited to partici-
pate in this reciprocity conference by the
appointment OF delegates, who must be
named in accordance with the foregoing
statement Of purposes and the accompany
Ing rules to govern such appointments.
This is a matter OF such vital impor-
tance to the entire business interests Of
the country that it is hoped that you will
give your earnest aid in making this move
ment success and to that end appoint as
delegates men who are thoroughly interest
ed In the matter and willing to attend the
convention and participate in its delibera-
tons"
The results Of this convention will doubt
less form one OF the strong links in the
chain of commercialism which is binding
the country together into a community of
interests. the needs of which will only have
to be engrafted into harmonious whole to
form political platform which will prop
erly make a revised edition of the last
declaration Of principles of the republican
party.