Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-18
THE RECIPeUcITF PROVISIONS.

PHOFISlONS
Discussion in the United States senate
regarding the reciprocity provisions of
the tariff law was chiefly interesting rs
showing that the principle Of CONNER
cial reciprocity Is not dead. 1t is not a
matter Of much Importance what the
motive was that prompted the incor-
poration of these provisions in the law.
The practical fact is, as was stated by
Senator Dolllver in his speech IN the
senate n few days ago. that whatever
the author OF the law may have said or
done, "the congress Of the United States
did solemnly authorize the president to
enter into reciprocal negotiations with
foreign countries for the purpose Of ex-
tending American by the
simple expedient of reducing, not to ex-
coed 20 per cent, the duties assessed by
the tariff law and that portion of the
law Of 1897 is as distinctly a part of
the tariff policy of the United States as
any other part.
Those provisions were acceptable to
President Mckinley, thar whom the pro-
tective principle never had a more loyal
friend or more earnest supporter, and
he did not regard as an impairment of
that principle the treaties he caused to
be negotiated under the reciprocity pro-
visions. In his last public u%tterance
he made a forceful plea for reciprocity,
thereby reaffirming his approval of the
provisions of the Dingley law relating to
this. He believed it to be a policy
necessary to the extension of our for
eign commerce and one that would safe
guard rather than impair the protective
principle. In the senate discussion
Senator Aldrlch said: 81 am earnestly
for reciprocity, real, genuine reciprocity,
by which the United States shall Sc
cure reciprocal advantages in the trade
of the world, and not a reciprocity die
tated by the selfish motives of q few
interests in this country as against all
Others" The supporters of reciprocity
want only that which is real and genu-
Inc, sensible trade arrangements, as was
said by Mckinley, which will not in
terrupt our home production and will
extend the outlets for our increasing
surplus, but it is to be apprehended
that what Mr.. Aldrich regards as real
and genuine reciprocity would do very
little for the extension of our commerce.
This question must inevitably assume
increasing Importance with our growing
production. This is recognized by the
industrial and commercial interests of
the country. The National Board of
Trade, in session at Washington the
past week, adopted resolutions in favor
of establishing better trade relations
with other countries through such ad.
justments and concessions as may be
deemed mutually advantageous" II
urged legislation regarding reciprocal
trade relations along the lines laid
down by the late President Mckinley
and by President Roosevelt. We have
already referred to the recent action of
the Wisconsin manufacturers, endorsed
by those of Illinois, favorable to trade
reciprocity. 1t is a republican princi.
pie, which for a dozen years past has
been repeatedly affirmed by the party in
national and state conventions, II
will receive no recognition from the
present congress, except probably in the
case of Cuba, but it will not be aban.
doned and soone or later will become
operative.