The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-11-19
Two Hundred Delegates to
the Convention.
IT DOESN'T START WE'LL
Too Much of a Tendency to Indulge
in "Scraps."
PART MINNESOTA is PLAYING
Her Delegates VIII 'Lay Low" I'm
less Certain Conditions
Arise.

From The .Jomrasat BursaU. Roont AS. Pess
BUU3i'ag5 Washington
Washington, Nov. 19.-Messrs. Shevlin,
Mcknight and Smith. the Minnesota lum-
Der delegates to reciprocity convention,
which began its session to-day, say it is
not their intention to take active part in
the deliberation unless something should
come up demanding their attention. The
convention as they state it, was not got
up by northwestern people or by the lum-
bermen but rather came about as a result
of the feeling of disappointment over the
results of the convention held not long
ago in Chicago.
Several matters of interest did not come
before that convention, or were treated
there with scant courtesy, and the Wash
ington convention is the result, with the
added idea that by holding 1t at this par
ticular time and place, congress may be
induced to take an interest in it. The fact
that there are a number of members of
both houses of congress in the city and
that practically every one of them is going
to attend one or more sessions of the con-
vention will give congress full informa-
tion as to what the convention does.
The Minnesota delegates are here mere
ly to keep sharp lookout for any mat
ters of interest to them that may come
up If these matters do not materialize,
they will not be heard from. If they do,
then there will be all kinds of doings by
Shevlin, Mcknight and Smith
1t is believed that the convention will
accomplish much more than was accom-
plished in Chicago, but it might do that
of serious consequence.
Canadian Reciprocity Dubious.
That part of the proceedings which will
most deeply interest the northwest is the
| discussion of reciprocity with Canada. 1t
is there that the lumber question will
come in, if at all. There is so much divid-
ed sentiment in the northern border states
that it will be very difficult, not to say
out of the question, for any common
ground of action to be reached which will
| impress congress.
Senator Burrows is opposed to Canadian
reciprocity. This is because. some of his
principal constituents, the Blodgetts OF
Grand Rapids, the Canfelds at Manistee
and others on the east shore of Lake
Michigan, are opposed to it. The big
lumbermen on the opposite side of the
lower peninsula own large tracts of
stumpage in Canada and want reciprocity
very badly
Too BeIIigerent.
The convention does not start out we'll.
There is a decided tendency on the part
of delegates to "scrap." 1t is observed
that the convention is pretty evenly di-
vided among three antagonistic groups
ultraprotectionists, free traders and mild
revisionists. These groups cannot har-
monize.
The tendency to fight was we'll illus
trated early to-day. A democrat, after
there had been a good deal of preliminary
sparring, offered a resolution and asked
that it be read. Immediately there was
an uproar. After the controversy had
lasted ten minutes, it was by accident
discovered that the resolution was simply
formal message of greeting to President
Roosevelt. Then the ''scrappers' were
ashamed of themselves.
Last night the delegates representing
the New England Tariff League, were in
session at their hotel until after mid
night debating whether or not they should
attend the convention. Their decision to
attend gave the convention its ultra pro-
lection contingent and established a
balance among the three groups referred
| to.
May Accomplish Nothing.
1t is not believed that the convention
in it's resolutions can harmoniously go
farther than a general Endorsement of the
principle of reciprocity. This will be ac-
ceptable to all the delegates, for the ultra
protectionists are theoretically very much
in favor of the principle. 1t is only when
there is an attempt to. make a practical
application of it that there is trouble.
The more glittering the resolution gener
alities and the more there are Of them the
better the ultraprotectionists will be
pleased.
The Minnesota delegates were present
at this mornings session. Congressman
Tawney was with them. 1t is their judg~
ment that the convention will accomplish
nothing of Importance, save as a general
discussion of reciprocity may have all
educational status.
w. w. Jermane.