The Washington times., 1901-11-21
FARM VERSUS
THE FACTORY.
Two Interests Clash at Re-
CiprOCity Convention.
PEACE SOON RESTORED, HOWEVER.
Delegates Finally Agree to GO
After All Markets, Both Home
and Foreign - Department. of
Commerce Warmly Favored.

The knitting needle and the hoe were
crossed in tariff combat yesterday in the
arena Of the Reciprocity Convention. The
one made thrust to pierce reciprocity,
and the other struck to break down high
protection.
Thus the knit goods man and the agri-
cultural implement maker faced each
other and fought it out on the floor OF
the convention, not to the death, as it
seemed they had started ont to 90, but
rather to bring about an amicaole under
standing.
The two Industries took opposite sides
of the question under debate with the
iewelry men supplementing the stocking
and jacket making men. and the shoe
RI makers and carriage builders and several
Others coming to the aid of the plow-
makers. They harangued and wrangied
during the greater part of the day. but
last night, when the convention aG-
journed finally, all their differences had
been healed. and the conference ended
with jubilee and hurrah for what it
had accomplished.
Home and Foreign Markets.
II had agreed by resolutions to have
both prote tien and reciprocity, to do
things and not do things. TO keep home
markets and get foreign markets, not to
jnjure anybody, but to help and love every
body. They also found common ground in
advocating the creation of another office,
that of a secretary, member Of the Pres
ident's Cabinet, in charge of depart
ment Of commerce and Industries.
During the morning session some things
were said which were not entirely com
piImentary to Mr. John A. Kasson be-
cause of the treaty which he negotiated
with France. The knit goods men were
all out with their needles To pick him.
During the afternoon session there were
some stirring speeches made in advocacy
OF reciprocity. James peering, young
man. but the head of one of the largest
factories making farme-s' implements il
the country, lei CT. and showed a mas
teriy understanding o. the subject.
He pointed Out how Germany's new
tariff was framed so as to compel other
nations to make terms with the Kaiser's
Government or forego trade with the
Fatherland. He referred. too, to Russia
retaliatory tariff measures. American in
dustries. he ayerred, were no longer in
fants, but had on long trousers, and If
taken out OF the cradle would hold their
places in the forefront of the worlds
trade.
Day OF ENcIusiveness Gone.
Richard Young delivered a ringing
speech on the same lire, advocating lib
erality and the creation OF 4 department
of commerce. The Gay Of exclus.yeness,
he said. had passed. Other nations would
treat them fairly.
Then Theodore F. Miller, Of Philadel-
phia, maker Of socks, leaped into the
arena to fight for protection, with q
declaration that modification meant lacer-
alton OF wages for the wOrkiHgman and a
closing of factories. At This juncture the
committee on resolutions came in with a
bundle CT suggestions under the arm Of
Mr.. Tonspkins Of North Carolina, chair
man. He read all the resolutions the com
mittee had received and blsndly remarked /
that the committee did not consider any
of them Just the proper thing. Then he .
read the committees own handiwork. I
minus the pream5les, as follows:
Resolved a., That this Government I
recommends TO Congress the maintenance
OF the principle of protection for the (
home market. and TO open up by reci- /
proeity opportunities for increased for
eign trade by special E-rdiiications of the /
tariff, in special cases. oJt only where it |
can be done without injury to any of cur
home interests of manufacturing, COM /
merce, or farming.
"(2j That in order to ascertain the /
influence of any proposed treaty on our |
homo interests, this convention recon- |
mends to Congress the establishment of !
a reciprocity commission which shall be |
charged with the duty Of investigating the |
condition of any Industry and reporting /
the same to the Executive and to Congress /
for guidance IN negotiating reciprocal |
trade agreements"
Department of Commerce.
The second resolution favors the es-
fahl'TrWer| gi department of Com |
md blows:
3D. els convention recon-