Evening star., 1901-11-28
OUR FOREIGN TRADE
Representative Bishops Views on
Reciprocity Treaties.
FAVORO CONCESSIONS TO CUBA
Would Make Liberal Approprla-
tions for the District
THE COSTA FL ATS

Representative R. P. Bishop of Michigan
| a leading member of the committee on riv-
ers and harbors, in conversation with a
Star reporter this morning said:
While | strong protectionist, In
case there is new legislation on the subject
! of reciprocity during the coming session OF
| Congress I would vote for bill enlargine
the present scope of our law if It's provis-
/ ions are reasonably guarded. l realize the
fact that the continued prosperity of our
| country largely depends upon broadening
the scope of our foreign trade. We have
strong competitors in Europe, and if we
can enlarge the extent of our trade by re-
| ciprocal relations with other countries l can
see no reason why it should not be done. 1
am not as broadly in favor of bill as some
| have claimed to be. and 1 would want to
| be assured before voting for any new meas
ure that we were to receive substantial
! benefits for any concessions granted by
such trade relations.
Favors Reciprocity With Cuba.
There will be considerable debate of the
question, as l know of many OF our own
party who are opposed to reciprocal treat
les, claiming that it is step In the direction
of free trade But there is a vast difference
between free trade and an exchange OF
commodities. Almost the entire South and
Central American trade today Is In the
hands of German and English manufactur-
ers. They have proceeded largely upon the
theory of give and take. This trade should
by every tie Of friendship belong to the
United States. These countries are within
the sphere of what is known as the Monroe
doctrine, and they are to a certain extent
under the protection of our own flag by rea-
son of that doctrine. And l believe that
the time has come when by reason of new
laws of traffic and new rules OF trade we
may be able to break up the monopoly
which these European countries have had
with our sister republics to mutual benefit.
Take the case of Cuba. She is today de-
manding concessions with us that she may
find market for her products in this coun-
try. 1 would be glad to concede to her In
the broadest measure provided she Is will
ing to make concessions to US in like eX-
tent. We produce the very articles sne
most needs, especially cotton, flour, meats
and others, many of which she buys in
Europe Yet Cuba is but single instance
of the benefits which would accrue to us
as a result of broad reciprocal treaties with
the other countries lying south Of her..
The AnacOstia Flats Improvement.
Mr.. Bishop was asked If he thought his
committee would report at this session an
adequate appropriation for the improve
ment Of the Eastern branch.
II have noted with interest the untiring
ment of this portion of the District he
said, 'and l wish it were in my power to
say that a sum sufficiently large to meet
the occasion would be voted, but unfortu-
nately. 1t Is not 1 am strongly in favor of
such an Improvement, and my position on
the committee of rivers and harbOrs has
brought me in touch with the public-spir-
tied citizens of Washington, who have so
often pleaded with Congress to meet their
demands; but, 1 regret to say, in vain. 1t
is my impression that small sum was ap-
propriated at the last session for some pre-
iiminary cause I think, but 1t was like an
appropriation for a dust brush as compared
with the amount really needed.
The flats are a menace to the health of
the city and a standing eyesore. / will
vote for any reasonable measure tending
toward their Improvement. In fact, l am
willing to go further and vote to give the
lands to be filled in to such responsible par
ties as will reclaim them in return for the
land thus secured. l understand that there
are responsible parties who stand ready to
take them under such circumstances. OF
course, proper provision should be made
as to the channel-width, retaining walls,
etc, but these are mere details, easily ar
ranged once an agreement was reached.
THE government Is spending millions of
dollars upon navy yard upon tide water
which it seems to be unwilling to improve.
This is an inconsistent but a very import
ant element in this matter. If the govern
ment Will not act in a problem the solution
of which Is as easy as Is this one, and give
Washington what her people demand, and
are way within their rights in insisting
upon, then let private parties do it. Let
the government reserve as much land as
may be necessary for its requirements at
the navy yard and the arsenal 1t has no
urgent need for the surplus.
No Stint In District Matters.
I'm fact l believe and have always MAIN
tanned that the District is entitled to as lib
eral appropriations as can be consistently
accorded it. When it comes to dealing with
| things which affect the capital Of the nation
1 do not believe in stint and false economy.
/ want to see here large and suitable build
| ings for government use. 1 would like to
see the sentiment which fostered the ap-
| preparation of S25OO,OOO at the last session
| for the Improvement of the water supply
| carried out In other directions, even though
| they may be of comparative trifiing i'm
! portance, because in Washington we are
| building for all time The District has
many needs of an urgent nature which will
| be pressed upon Congress, and 1 hope that
| the recommendations of the Commissioners
will be literally construed. 1t has been
my pleasure to have been a resident of
gress each. winter, and I take a personal
interest in the welfare of the city,
AIR. Bishop added that he could see no
reason why We should accord statehood to
a state like Nevada, with its handful of
population, and deny it to Oklahoma Ari-
zona and New Mexico, when the first now
has population which would at once en-
title II to two representatives in Congress,
and he believed that Oklahoma, II not all
of the territories claiming admission, would
be let in.
The Chinese exclusion act he said, should
| not only be extended, but should be made
| as strong as 1t was possible to make 1t.
| And in 1t, he said he would include pro-
| vision empowering this country to exclude
undesirable immigrants of all nationaiities
| The immigration laws, he thought were
| too lax in this regard. and the time had
| come to discriminate in bestowing the priv
| ilege of American citizenship.
READING FOR GIRLS.