New-York tribune., 1902-01-03
CHAMBER HITS 1T HARD.
CRITICIsEs THE ATTITUDE oF THE RE
CENT NATIONAL RECIPROCITY
CONVENTION

The Chamber OF Commerce at its first monthly
meeting IN the new year. yesterday adopted
resolutions disapproving the action Of the recent
National Reciprocity Convention in Washington.
When these resolutions were presented to the
Chamber last month they were laid over when
Il evident that there considerable OPP
position to their passage. Gustav H. Schwab
the chairman OF the committee foreign COM
rnerce and revenue laws. brought them up again
yesterday with a report advocating their pass
age The action of the National Reciprocity
Convention to which objection was made was
the adoption Of a resolution recommending to
Congress the maintenance of the principle Of
protection for the home market, and to open
up by reciprocity opportunities for increased for
eign trade by special modification Of the tariff
in special cases. but only where it can be done
without injury 10 home interests Of manu-
featuring. commerce or farming"
In its argument for dsapproval OF this reso-
luton the report Of Mr.. Schwabs committee
said in part:
The particular kind OF reciprocity recommended
by the Reciprocity Convention is reciprocity that
trade arrangement with other nations impossible
as CONCESSIONS IN taTln rates are OF the very es-
1erstood between commercial nations at the pres
would be Of any value Whatever to the nations
contracting them cannot be concluded without to
manufacturing. commerce or farming. The great
treaties is TO create new and enlarged channels
of trade. while preserving our own home interests
from serious injury. AS President Roosevelt said
IN his address at Minneapolis six months ago. we
must remember in dealing with other nations, that
benefits must be given when benefits are sought
The report referred TO the attitude Of the
Chamber Of Commerce toward the ratification
OF reciprocity treaties in the past, and particu-
iarly the treaty with France negotiated by John
"a Kasson. The report then continued:
SAYS THE SITUATION IS SERIOUS.
s e9%9T g b tie ODinS3 Of gG1s s0mt9a
voices heard especially in the great West, de-
manding a reduction in our high rates Of duty,
demands through reciprocity treaties, the time in
the opinion OF your committee will - inevitably
viii be demanded By sweeping majorities.
nIo6s @ bse 90 Ie Of efe5i alarm nos
tile 10 the American trade, and multiplying signs
OF retaliation against our exclusive tariff rates.
or retso the 4 former le preng many "a 4eW
lets for our productions. the latter involving tariff
wars and disaster to our own growing export trade
The resolutions favored by the committee
were these:
Resolved, That this chamber hereby expresses
its dsaPProval Of the action taken by the NaQnal
verober 90 as siIbe-siye Of ali aTtennts 70 hiring
about closer trade relations with our sister nations,
pTeduets; and; be t further -.
hension the policy advocated by the Reciprocity
Convention likely TO invite hostile legislation
ests
In moving the adoption Of the resolutions, Mr..
Bchwab said he thought possible injury to GER
tain industries was 50 small compared to the
great good which would result TO the country at
large from reciprocal treaties as to be not worth
considering.
C A SCHIEREN DEFENDS CONVENTION.
Charles A Schieren who was the delegate Of
the Chamber Of Commerce to the Reciprocity
Convention. said he objected to any reflection
who composed that convention" he said, "were
the very who responsible for the great
prosperity Of the country. We can compete
with foreign countries because Of the quality Of
the goods we manufacture. So long have
labor, which makes our goods what they are.
If the duty is taken of, shall have to cease
employing the skilled mechanics"
Charles Stewart Smith declared that what
was wanted was not free trade, but freer trade.
Z. c. Moore offered substitute resolution rec
o-nmending reciprocity where it can be done
without injuring any Of products or
manufactures" Isidor Straus said the attitude
OF some Of the member was like that of the
proVerbial mother who told her son he might
go In swimming, but must not go near the
water. At the end Of the discussion Mr.. Moore's
substitute was voted down and the resolutions
recommended by the committee were adopted.
The Chamber also passed resolution inviting
venient time before he returns to England. Two
guests of the Chamber were entertained at
luncheon after the meeting. They were NJ. La
Eare Weller, a representative OF the French
Government. and Ludwig Max Goldberger, a
representative Of the German Government.