Arizona republican., 1901-11-25
WEEK WAS WASTED
Nothing Will Come of Reci-
 procity Convention
It is Quite Certain That Congress Will Ratify None of the Proposed Treaties or Otherwise Seriously Disturb the Tariff.

respondence. .)-The reciprocity conven-' ton which assembled in Washington this week was a striking manifestation of the desire of certain interests for tariff concessions from foreign coun- tries and a consequent extension of American materials. It is strictly q manufacturing convention, agricultural and allied interests were not represent ed. hence the convention is not fully representative of the industrial activ- ity of the country as a whole and in this fact lies the difficulty of securing action in congress.
 Trade reciprocity between the Unit ed States and other countries is ap- parently a local issue. Senators and representatives are willing to concede reciprocity so long as duties are affect ed upon products other than those pe- culiar to their districts. The represen- tation from Massachusetts finds no bar to reducing the import duty on oranges but the California representatives dis cover therein a deadly blow to one of the great industries of their state. California finds no objection to reduc- ing the duty on knit goods. but the Connecticut members exhibit no such indifference.
 Other members of congress opposing reciprocity treat the subject from q broader point of view and hold that the making of treaties affecting the reve- nue of the nation is not properly function of the executive from a con stitutional point of view. Regardless of party lines there has never been topic up for discussion before the leg lative branch of the government upon which there is wider difference of opin- fll, variety of plans of procedure have been suggested.
 It is generally believed in Washing ton that the result of this confusion will be that congress will take no deh- nite action this winter. None of the present treaties in contemplation will be ratified, no changes will be made in the present tariff law and in fact no positive legislation will result upon the subject now under such wide discussion and controversy.
 Ther are many reasons for believing this to be the probable outcome. The conflict between various industrial in terests in fierce and confusing par ty lines tend to promote controversy Local interests are earnestly defended. Republican leaders deprecate raising the tariff question just before the con gressional elections. Prominent men have expressed themselves as afraid of the effect of tariff agitation upon the country at time when all is well and disturbance unnecessary. Many can be found who woIld prefer nothing posi- tive done at this time while it is diff ficult to find even d few members of congress who have thrown down the gage of battle and are ready to fight to a finish.
 As a compromise between doing noth- ing and doing something congress may enact some tentative measure. This might take the form of a tariff commits sion before which all interests should have a hearing and from which con- gress would expect a recommendation in favor of some particular measure to be evolved by the commission from the knowledge gained in the hearings.
 Special attention would be given by such a commission to the maximum and minimum plan which is growing in favor every day. A maximum and mini mum tariff law such as prevails in sev eral European countries ana under which law those countries have been able to formulate reciprocity agree ments with the United States is regard ed as the fairest and most scientific solution of the problem.
 Haphazard legislation upon specific
 
 which no man could see the end. The opposition to the proposed reciprocity treaties appears to be unsurmountable. , The proposition to pass maximum and minimum tariff law. after an in- ves'tigation by commission, appeals D St only to all who conservativeiy fa- vof reciprocity, but also those who wouic breathe easier at this qua raT tee CT indefinite delay. Such tentative leg iSIit;on would be in a direction some wish to go and would De looked upon as a happy expedient by others. Should such a commission be ;7- pointed it is possibl that it would be instructed to confine it's Iabors to es- tablishing a high an low tariff .cvei, both of which would be understood % be as fair to all interests and industries concerned. A tariff measure along these lines would enact a high tariff level which would probably be the Diugley scedule, this level to prevail until the lower level, also authorized by congress, was promulgated by tlie executive in return for similar con cession from foreign countries. The tariff situation in regard to trop- ical products has materially changed since the Spanish war. Growing sugar cane and sugar beets are now great in dustries in the United States and the sugar producers protest against the eff | forts of the sugar refining trust to use the raw material as a trading basis for reciprocal relations. Coffee is now q product of the United States territory and a subject for a revenue tariff which would also as a slight protec- tion it has come under consideration in figuring upon tariff changes. Fruit is affected almost in the same manner. Tariff revision is feared by the politi- clans but the demands of the industrial and commercial worlds will probably lead to the compromise suggested which will take the form of a thorough investigation preliminary to the adop- tion of a maximum and minimum tar