The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-15
MEETING OF MFRS
National Association Gives Its Work
Another Lift.
LIGHT CAST ON TRADE
President Discusses Reciprocity in
General md Cuban Case in
Particular.

Indianapolis, April 15.-The seventh
annual convention of the National Asso-
citation of the Manufacturers was called
to order this morning by y. M. Parry of
Indianapolis. President Search of Phila-
delphia, Charles A. Shieren Of New York
city, treasurer, and Edward H. Sanborn
of Philadelphia, general manager, were
present.
President Search read his annual re-
port. He called attention to the declining
exports of American manufactured prod
ucts, and urged manufacturers not to
neglect their foreign customers in this
era of extraordinary home demand, lest
in times Of depression they should find
their foreign trade destroyed and no ex-
port outlets for the surplus Of an over
stocked home market. Assuming the
doubtful chances of any action on the
pending treaties rof reciprocity with
France and Argentina, he declared that
further development of the reciprocal
trade idea depended upon the possibilities
of special legislation like that for which
the proposed concession to Cuba affords a
precedent. Mr.. Search said:3
The concrete proposition which now con-
fronts us appears to me to be about like this:
Is it feasible safe and expedient to under
take to adjust our commercial relations with
other nations by means Of special legislation,
dealing with each particular case or is it pre-
ferable from all points Of view to seek the
same end by delegating to the executive arm
OF the government the power to negotiate IN
ternational agreements for reciprocal con-
cessions Our treatment of the Cuban prob
lem furnishes the precedent for the, new
departure In reciprocity; but while we recog-
nize certain obvious advantages in this plan
we must not close our eyes to the dangers
that lie in such a course, We must recognize
oh of nro oa,,ra o.11,
invites g. continuous tinkering of the tariff
the possibilities of which we can, view only
with distrust and alarm.
Favors the Nelson Bill.
With regard to the proposition to Gre
ate new federal department Mr. Search
expressed qualification at the progress
that had been made towards the passage
of the Nelson bill, and urged more ener-
getic personal support of the measure by
the individual members of the associa-
ton.
The principle of direct government aic
to the merchant marine, as embodied ir
the pending ship subsidy bill was com.
mended.
Attention of the association was di
rected to the pending eight-hOur bill an(
| the "anti-iniunction bilI," both of which
Mr.. Search said very gravely concerned
I'M
| country, and should not be permitted tt
| become laws without having been mos
carefully considered in their bearing upo1
| manufacturing interests.
Mr.. Search recommended that the asso
| citation should consider the feasibility o
| organizing a system of examination ant
certifcation of commercial students upo1
! their completion of prescribed courses
of study, or the establishment of CORE
| spondence courses Of instruction as al
tentative plans to meet.the prevailing de
sire for larger facilities for instruction
in practical business methods, more par
ticularly those entering into international
trade. - ,> .2y4,sS z Ja1f sr3
| Mr., Search said that yther' oprevailin,
prosperity of the manufacturers and tn,
concentration Of their attention upon tn,
problems Of extraordinary business activ
ity made 1t exceedingly difficult to com
mand their. support OF such broad worl
as that for which the association wa
! formed. The greatest need Of the organ
iZation was a larger income with whicl
to carry on the increasing volume of worl
and he advocated the increase of the an
nual fee from $50 to 500.
| Mr.. Search suggested the holding O
semiannual conventions of manufacturer
and merchants for the consideration O
! special topics; such, for example, a
methods of extending export trade