Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-04-17
BUSINESS MEN MEET.
Convention Of the National Astocia.
ton Of Manufacturers.
REPORT on RECIPROCITY TAKEN UP.
Nr seabury Believes There Should Not Be
Any Politics In the Question Of Rect.
procity Establishment Of . Depart
Of Commerce Favored.

Indianapolis, Ind, April 16.-The an
nual convention of the National AS
ISOLATION of Manufacturers met here
yesterday. W. II. Hart, state auditor,
made the address OF welcome for the
state instead of Gov. Durbin, now en-
gagged in prison investigation at
Michigan City. The welcome from the
city of indianapolis was extended by
Mayor Charles A. Bookwalter The
discussion Of President Search's adj
dress, which forms an important part
Of the programme of the convention,
was taken up ut the afternoon ses-
sion after hearing reports from the
treasurer and the bureau ON trade
and transportation. George ]. Sea-
bury, of New York city, opened the
discussion, speaking to the part Of
the report on reciprocity, in which
Mr.. Search said: "The concrete
proposition which now confronts us
appears TO me to be about like this:
Is it feasible, safe and expedient to
undertake to adjust our commercial
relations with other nations by means
Of special legislation, dealing with
each particular case, or is it prefer
able from all points Of view to seek
the same end by delegating to the
executive arm Of the government the
power to negotiate international
agreements for reciprocal conces-
sions?'
Mr. Seabury said he had given much
study to the question Of reciprocity.
He did not believe there should be
any politics in the question of reel
procity and did not believe that any
one man in the United States should
undertake to formulate reciprocity
treaties unless he be thoroughly
practical man, unless he be one Of
u.s." said Mr., Seabury. lie said he
believed in reciprocity and did not
believe that the work and industry
should be annihilated by reason of
the enactment OF such treaties. "The
tariff should be left Alone" said he,
"and when making reciprocity
treaty with a nation only such arti-
cles should be allowed to be entered
free into this country which are pro-
duced here without fear Of COMPETE
ton. am ready to admit that l
am perfectly willing to let down the
tariff bars on all manufactured arti-
cles, but is it right for me, who am
able to stand alone, to favor that
which would bring ruin to other in
dustries?"
Mr.. Seabury did not believe either
in the president of the nation or con
gress having the unlimited power to
make reciprocity treaties, but he be-
lieved that the revision OF the treaties
already existing and the making OF
new ones should be given over to
committee, say of 500, OF the CONNER
cial men of the country.
Charles +. Carpenter, Of Philadel-
phia, did not coincide with Mr.. Sea
bury's views on politicians. He de-
clared that no organization with
power to settle such important mat
tiers as reciprocity treaties could ex-
list without the consent of the politi-
clans. For one, he believed that I'M
der existing conditions the making
Of such treaties should be placed in
the hands Of the chief executive Of
the nation,
On motion Of William T. Tildcn, of
Philadelphia, further discussion of
the question was postponed until
after the committee on resolutions
reported.
The part of the presidents report
In regard to the establishment of
department Of commerce was taken
up, Gen, II Barbour, Of Detroit, max
ing the first speech Many members
spoke urging the association to do
all in It's power to secure the passage
Of the bill now before congress.
A SERIOUS HITCH.