The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-16
FREE TRADE
WITH CANADA
Mr.. Fletcher Thinks the Northwest
Must Make a Stand for
This Policy.
eff We Stand for Free Trade Well
Be Nearer Getting What We
Really Need"
D.. 70 L n . E -
A Side Light Thrown on the Enor-
nous Profits of the Steel
-. = 80 H. go !; =
II Trust. 49,. -


From The journal Bureau, Room 46, Post Build
ing, Washington. rs2 "a r. <t.. g . f.
Washington, Jan. l6.--"I'm rapidly
coming to the opinion that free trade with
Canada is what the northwest must stand
for said Congressman Fletcher to-day.
$50 far as reciprocity, is concerned it does
not seem possible, as: the situation stands
at present, and there are no indications of
any change: If we stand for free trade,
Wen be nearer getting what we really
need w. So 5s. or -
Other members of the Minnesota dele
CATION agree with Mr.. ~ Fletcher.
They. think there is not even a re-
mote possibility of reciprocity, and will
not be until the sentiment in congress
radically changes. Both bodies remain
under the domination of the old and expe-
rienced eastern members whose long SER
vice has given them not only wisdom, but
the control of the committees, and the
work of congress is nearly all done in
committees. =" IS" -. ~I - -
r. Steel Trusts Enormous Profits.
The ways and means committee has be-
gun hearings on the Lowering drawback
bill and has heard a number of witnesses
representing heavy exporting concerns.
The testimony as whole had a signifl
cant although indirect bearing upon the
| trust question. w. H. Seaver, represent
ing the National Wire corporation, said.
| 1OI 1HSlduCt, IlldL Ills COIlCeIH 1LlpOIICO
nearly all it's raw material, and yet, after
paying ocean freights and the high steel
duty Of the Dingley law, found the fin
ished product cost less than if made from
home raw material. Evidence of this
sort throws an interesting light on the
question Of the steel trusts profits.
| 49,, The Cuban Treaty. = -
The outlook for the Cuban treaty: still
seems good, although there are not want
ing those in both houses who predict that
its ratification is out of the question. If
the treaty should be defeated the demo
Gratis will be responsible, for all the repub-
lican senators are understood to have been
brought into line for it,. The word from
the democrats is contradictory, and in the
absence of any official canvass Of their
strength, it is not possible to know what
the opposition vote will be. 1t is known
however, that a good many democratic
senators are planning to support the
treaty, and this ought to insure its ratifi-
cation. Bacon of Georgia and Bailey OF
1 Texas, both of whom are against the
treaty, privately admit that they look fol
i it's ratification. At the same time, the
friends of the treaty will not be easy unit
i ratification is an accomplished fact.
l. J.. Mr.. Lowry's Trip. .
Thomas Low1y's hasty trip to Washing
/ ton has placed him in the light of not be
ing a constant reader Of the newspapers
and a good deal Of quiet fun is enjoyed
here at his expense. He came over from
New York to say something in favor O.
the passage Of the bill for the removal q
the duty on coal, leaving New York latt
Wednesday, before receiving word tina
the bill had gone through both houses
on that day. Arriving in Washington
early yesterday morning he went hllr
/, Eriedly to his hotel, a tie breakfast, and thel
~
> Minnesota delegation in favor Of the bill
D He did not find out his mistake until h
began to sound the members. whereupol
he smiled and said he guessed he'd re
turn to New York on the afternoon trail
and come back to Washington early mex
week. ,.-... .....:.
Mr.. Lowry's interest in free coal come
through the connection of the 500 roa
: with the Canadian Pacific. The Opinion
Of the best men in Washington is that tn
removal of the duty on coal will not in
crease the supply Of that article from
Canada. It might do so If it were know
that the duty would not be replaced a
the expiration of one year. But for
years. trade 1t would not pay Canada
coal owners to increase their plants an
E go to the heavy expense incident to in
. creasing their output. = --... - J.
Dock Bill Is Dead. + s.
The London dock bill is dead for thi
: session of congress. Representative
e Fletcher admitted as much to-day, afte
l., he had spent some time trying to asce1
. tain the sentiment of the committee O
j.. interstate and foreign commerce on tn
,, question of favorably reporting the senat
= dock bill. There has been no meetin
Of the committee since the holiday re
cess and there will be none except I
consider purely local matters. Befol
Chairman Hepburn will call such a. mee
ing he will require assurances that no al
:, tempt will be made to bring up gener;
legislation. The dock question ma
therefore be dismissed until next white
W. W. Jermane.