The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-21
MUCH HERALDED RECIPROCITY
CONVENTION RUNS TO WINDY
DeDGING
PROTECTION BARoNs HAD IT
Resolutions Adopted for an Alleged
Reciprocity Scheme With Real
Reciprocity Left Out of
the Game
TEXT FOR THE PR0TECTIoNIsTs
GLOBE WASHINGTON BUREAU,
Post Building, Room 10.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Nov. 20.-The
best evidence that the protection interests
have secured control of the so-called reci-
prGcity convention in session here is
found in the resolutions adopted as the
official recommendation to congress. Tha
resolutions declare for two things on
which the ultra protectionists of New
England have been making a fight; nanle-
ly, the kind of reciprocity which shall be
without injury to any of our home in
terestS of manufacturing, commerce, or
farming" and a commission to 'ascer-
tain the influence of any proposed treaty
on our home interests.
The commission is particularly the plan
of Senator Orville Platt, of Connecticut,
and of his New England colleagues who
have been fighting the pending treaties.
The high protection people feel quite con-
fdent that they can control any commits
sion which may be appointed; they know
that in the game of give and take which
is the essence of reciprocity some inter-
est will be hurt. The kind Of reciprocity
which would be satisfactory to every fn-
terest in this country would never 6e
accepted by foreign countries. 1t is the
reciprocity of the ultra protectionsrs,
which is no reciprocity at all.
AS already told in these columns it IS
the policy of the ultra protectionist to
congress. To accomplish this a commits
SION is to be appointed which is to kill
time for a while and then report adj
versely on all pending reciprocity deals
on the ground that they will injure some
home interest. This, it is believed, win
take the curse off the failure of congl ess
to act and will steal the thunder from
the Democrats, who are planning to make
it an issue in the next congressional
campaign.
The action of the convention was nearly
unanimous This was only in conse-
| ouence of the complete surrender of the
| real friends of reciprocity. One of them
said afterward that the fight was so
hopeless it seemed best to lie down. The
Importance of the action today lies IN
the fact that it will give the Republican
pretectionists in congress their text fof
opposing tariff tinkering.
Canada's Trade Worth Something.
The views of the Boston Chamber Of
Commerce on the subject of reciprocity
with Canada were presented in a paper
by Mr.. George H. Coppins. There was,
he said, no escape from the conclusion
that Canada should be included in any
general scheme for reciprocal treaties-no
logical escape. Our interests were more
nearly touched by the future of that
country than by the future of South
American states. Canadians last year had
bought from us at the unparalleled rate
of $40 per capita. If an impossible trade
barrier was raised between the two coun-
tries Canada could face the changed con-
ditions with comparative ease, for her
foreign markets are now established else
where; but with us a stoppage of trade
would mean the closing down for want
of orders of thousands of American fac
tories and workshops. We should cult
vate such good customer and not in
cur his hostility.
Hon. John Charlton member of the
Canadian parliament, spoke earnestly III
favor of some reasonable concessions i'll
trade relations to meet the liberal treat
ment accorded the United States by Can
and free trade in the natural products of
both countries.
William Irvine, of Chippewa Falls,
Wis, largely identified with the lumber
interests. discussed the attitude of the
lumber interest on the question of reci-
procity of Canada. He believed that the
lumbermen of the United States would
voluntarily agree to the same concession
proposed by the Canadian high joint COM
| missioners provided those who are en-
gagged in the manufacture Of the things
consumed by the lumber men in the man
ufacture of lumber would agree to SIM
liar reduction of the duty on their prod
duets.
A resolution was adopted requesting
that delegates have their home Boards of
Trade adopt the resolutions passed by the
convention to be sent later to the con-
gress of the United States.
A motion was adopted referring to the