The Globe-republican., 1902-05-29
HOW TO RECIPRoCATE
NATIONAL MANUFACTURERS DEFINE
THEIR POSITION
They Declare Favor such Trade
Treaties WIN Not Injure Any
Domestic Interest of Manufa curing,
Commerce O Farming.

COupdAy III SpI4nS1OtOs OH1O,
writes the American Economist in
part as follows:
There is a growing sentiment among
a large number Of manufacturers OF
this country to reduce the degree or
per cent OF Protection and adopt
more liberal policy in opening up
foreign trade, and there is danger of
radical protectionists fighting reci-
procity and making no concessions to
those that favor reciprocity bringing
about the results that you fear The
manufacturers of implements, farm
machinery of all kinds, also the manu-
facturers of some other classes of
goods, receive practically little or no
protection, and if they are to be an
tagoniZed by radical protectionists in
fighting reciprocity you will find in
time greater tendency to break away
from absolute or radical protective
measures.
1t is to the class of manufacturers
represented by the writer of this let
ter-those who receive practically lit
tie or no protection, because, operat-
ing under patents, royalties or other
special conditions, they have no for
eign competition-that the idea of
wide open reciprocity appeals with
particular force. Not being themselves
directly the benef1ciaries of protec-
tive tariff-though themselves built up
by and because of the operation Of the
policy of protection, though they have
a full share in the general prosperity
which protection always brings, and
would suffer in equal proportion from
the business depression which a lapse
toward free trade always brings
these manufacturers urge a relaxation
of the principle and per cent of pro
lection all along the line. They ask
that other Industries thriving
under protection, and which would
suffer through a reduction of duties
sent to "a more liberal policy in open
ing up foreign trade'-that is, that
these industries shall offer themselves
up as a sacrifice for the benefit Of a
few other industries which have moth
ing to fear from foreign competition
They take the position that while
these industries will undoubtedly suf-
fer from the proposed liberal policy
the latter will not suffer so much as
the other industries will be benefited
Mr. Deering, a manufa cturer Of farm
implements Protected by patent laws
and hence not in need Of Protection by
Tariff laws, put the case precisely in
this way at the national reciprocity
convention in Washington last Novem-
Der. I'VE know said he, that some
of you people would be hurt more
less by lower Tariffs, but you would
not be hurt much as we would be
helped" The pickpoc1et might use
the same plea he takes your purse
MY FRIEND he could say, Il know
you will miss this money and mourn
its loss; but just think how much good
it will do mel" Some such thoughts
must have flashed through the minds
of the 500 delegates who heard Mr..
| behring's fatally candid statement, for
| they burst into roar of ridicu1e, and
from that moment the Deering scheme
| Of reciprocity was laughed out of the
/ convention.
| The National Association of manu-
facturers in convention at Indianapolis
! last week declared itself in a manner
| that leaves no room for doubt concern
} ing the attitude of the general body of
1 industrial producers of this country on
| the question Of assassinating some in
| dustries for the benefit of some other
| industries. This convention, without
| a single dissenting vote, adopted the
| following:
Resolved %, That this convention
| Of the National Association of Manu-
facturers heartily commends the action
| of the committee that arranged the
| reciprocity convention; CD, That we
| fully indorse the resolution adopted
| by that convention, providing a
plan that may secure all possible bene-
! fits from fullest operation of the prIn-
| ciple of reciprocity, by the careful pre-
pairing of safe and practical PROPOSE
tions for such notifications of our
Tariff laws, from time to time, as may
to the commerce of the United States
and the development Of its manufac-
turing and agricultural interests.
In order that our friend from Spring
field may know precisely what the Ma
tiOnal Association of Manufacturers
means when it advocates the careful
preparing of safe and practical propo-
sitions'' for Tariff notifications with
reference to extending our foreign
trade, we quote in full the resolution
adopted November 20, 1901, by the
Washington convention and ratified
and Endorsed April IT, 1902, by the In
| dianapo1is convention
Resolved ID, That this convention
recommends to Congress the mainten
ance of the principle of Protection TO
the home market and to open up b,
reciprocity opportunities for increases
foreign trade by special modification
OF the Tariff in special cases, but onI,
where it can be done without injur.
to auv of our home interests of mar