The San Francisco call., 1901-12-04

and that reciprocity be
sought for. so far as it
can safely be done
without injury to our home Industries. Just
how far this is must be determined according
to the individual case, remembering always
that every application of our tarin policy TO
meet our shifting national needs must be con-
dtioned upon the cardinal fact that the duties
must never be reduced below the point that will
cover the difference between the labor cost
here and abroad. The well-being of the wage
worker is a prime consideration of our entire
policy of economic legislation.
Subject to this proviso of the proper protec-
tion necessary to our industrial well-being at
home, the principle of reciprocity must COM
mand our hearty support. The phenomenal
growth of our export trade emphasizes the ur-
gency Of the need for wider markets and for a
liberal policy in dealing with foreign nations.
Whatever is merely petty and vexatious in the
way of trade restrictions should be avoided.
The customers to whom we dispose of our sur
plus products in the long run, directly or indi-
reetly, purchase those surplus products by CIV
ing something in return. Their ability to
purchase products should far pos
sible be secured by arranging our tariff as
to enable US to take from them those products
which we can use without harm to our own
industries and labor, or the use OF which will
be of marked benefit to US.
1t is most important that we should main
tain the high level of present prosperity.
We have reached the point in the devel-
opment of our interests where not only
able to supply our own markets but to pro-
must find markets abroad. To secure these
markets utilize existing duties in any
where they are longer needed for the
purpose of protection, or in any case where the
article is not produced here and the duty is no
longer necessary for revenue, giving US
something to offer in exchange for what we
ask. The cordial relations with other nations
which are so desirable will naturally be pro-
NOTED by the course thus required by our
own interests.
The natural line of development for a pol
icy of reciprocity will be in connection with
those of productions which longer re-
quire all of the support once needed to estab-
lish thSm upon a sound basis and with those
others where either because of natural of
economic causes we are beyond the reach Of
successful competition.
1 ask the attention of the Senate to the
reciprocity treaties laid before it by my prede-
cessor.
marine is such as to call for immedite rene
dial action by the Congress. 1t is discredit-
able to us as a nation that our merchant
marine should be utterly insignificant in COM
parison to that of other nations which we
overtop in other forms of business We should
not longer submit to conditions under which
only trifing portion of our great commerce
is carried in own ships. To remedy tlis
state Of things would not merely serve to build
up our shipping interests, but it would also
result in benefit to all who are interested in
the permanent establishment of a wider mar
ket for American products, and would pro-
vide an auxiliary force for the navy. Ships
work for their own countries just railroads
work for their terminal points. Shipping
lines, if established to the principal countries
with which we have dealings would be Of
political as well as commercial benefit. From
every standpoint it is unwise for the United
States to continue to rely upon the ships OF
competing nations for the distribution of
our goods. 1t should be made advantageous
to carry American goods in American built
ships.
At present American shipping is under GER
tain great disadvantages when put in com
petition with the shipping of foreign coun-
tries. Many of the fast foreign steamships,
at q speed of fourteen knots or above, are SUBJ
sidized; and all ships sailing vessels and
steamers alike, cargo carriers of slow speed
and mail carriers of high speed. have to meet
the fact that the original cost of building
American ships is greater than is the case
abroad that the wages paid American Of
fcers and seamen are very much higher than
those paid the officers and seamen of foreign
competing countries; and that the standard of
living on ships is far superior to the
standard of living the ships of com
merca rivals.
Our Government should take such action as
will remedy these inequalities. The American
merchant marine should be restored to the
ocean.