The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-03

voluntarily and gratuitously set our
doors more or less widely ajar and per-
NIT more freedom of Importation, in
the hope that other countries will set
their doors more or less widely aJar
and give US greater freedom of expor-
tation. Some of you gentlemen are i'm
porters, and after this meeting adjournS
L would like to inquire whether you, in
making your purchases abroad. give
preference to those countries which
favor US with an open door, or do you
buy where you can obtain the desired
article to the best advantage? Do you
purchase your silks, for instance, in
Great Britain because she buys $780,
000, 900 of our gross exports without the
imposition of customs duties; or do you
purchase in France and Germany, not
withstanding tariff exactions upon
goods coming from the United States?
We have tried this experiment with
Brazil. We annually buy of her moro
than $40 0O0, 600 free merchandise, more
than 40 per cent of NIL she has to sell.
and sell her $10,000,000, 10 per cent OF
what she has to buy.
Another way suggested is TO TRACE
complimentary exchange trade priv
ileges-to set our doors somewhat ajar
for the special advantage of one coun-
try on condition that 1T shall set ITS
doors ajar for the special advantage OF
our people. Considerable has been said
along this line, but not very much has
been actually accomplished
''I do not wish to discuss the merits OF
either of these methods, but do wish 10
suggest a third. and i sincerely believe
the only method by which we will ever sc.
our share of the commerce OF south
American and South African countries
anc of the islands lying south of the equa-
tor. The policy which resulted IN creatlng
the commerce of the Pacific slope was
subsidizinS lines of communication WITH
the Pacific slope. When the first trans
there was not sufficient commerce to ray
operating expenses. to say nothing OF
dividends on invss~ mehts Few business
eminent aid to transcontinental lines dur
ing the DEVELOPMENT period OF the COM
merce along these lines. These railways
need no assistance now. NO business iI.a1
MERGE of our navigable rivers, ana no po-
lftical party objects to large expenditures
on non-navigable streams. improvements
to rivers and harbors is subsidy 10 tne
ever secure the trade of the countries 10
which | have referred, we VIII hrSt Sc
cure regular lines of communication with
these countries, and II we ever Secure
these lines assistance must be afforded:
Who of you, owning a ste lmship, Would
divert It from participation in trans-At-
lantic commerce where there rs lnuch 70
be done. and send it on regular trips 10
countries where we have little or no
commerce?
''Do not misunderstood me. ] am not
mourning the defeat of any snip SUBSIDY
bill but I shall mourn exceedingly the de-
feat of bill. If any such shall ever De
introduced, which, If enacted. would IN
sure regular lines of American ships. ny
ing the American flag, and carrying Amer
lean merchants and commercial travellers,
with their wares and merchandise, tne
product of American labor. into these
countries to which 1 have referred Such
a bill must offer special advantages to
ships plying between our ports and coon-
| tries where our trade is undeveloped.