Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-17

come, that the principle OF reciprocity a last
is to be given its rightful place in eco-
nomic system, we yet must recognize the nee
cessfty of proceeding carefully, intellgently
and scientifically. 1t is easy to propose but
difficult to execute: we must avail ourselves
Of the highest Skill the ripest knowledge
and the broadcast experience in modifying
old or framing new legislation.
whether or not 1t shall appear that tho
maximum and minimum tariff system is
advisable, as some of us are inclined to be.
lieve, the country will demand that the
whole problem shall be considered by im-
partial experts. This duty rests primarily
upon the members of the national House OF
Representatives.. 1t is to them that We
should be able to look for relief. If. how.
ever. by reason of improper control. sec.
tonal considerations, prejudice or partisan-
ship there are not to be found in that body
men whom the people can trust, we must
look to the executive to find them.
president Roosevelt has been tested and
proved equal to the task Of such discovery.
The character of the commission to invests
gate and settle the coal strike gives suf-
ficient evidence of that. His influence in
the struggle for Cuban reciprocity commit
ted him long ago to this cause had IL not
been for his resolute advocacy with Com
gress would not enjoy with Cuba the
measure of reciprocity that we enjoy today.
Practical Scheme for Reciprocity.
I'm the working out of a practical scheme
of reciprocity. the country will need the
of the farmer, the merchant, the manufacs
turer, the financier, the shipper, the miner,
the wage-earner, the professional or sail
aired class, well the counsel of the
specialist, the colonial administrator, the
wise diplomat of the order of the lamented
John Hay. All these interests should be
effectively represented in the committee or
commission to be charged with the duty of
instituting an economic system which shall
be equitable, permanent and flexible.
Such a commission as this would COM
mand public confidence and the support OF
all parties. Congress would hesitate to
ignore the findings of such body, sup>
ported by the intelligent interests and app
prevail of the country. There might be
gress, which would be wholly proper; but if
the spirit of the legislation recommended
by the commission were violated or Its
beneficent purpose destroyed. the President.
in his inevitable veto, would know that he
had the country back of him
Let us not deceive ourselves regarding
the German situation. 1t is not Germany
alone with which we have to deal, but all
Europe, all of the civilized world. Germany
is only the leader. / believe, broadly speak
ing, that the peace and prosperity of the
twentieth century Is dependent in great de-
gree upon the wisdom and skill with which
statesmen meet the situation with
which we are now confronted. In the direc-
ton of greatest breadth and liberality lies
the guarantee of universal peace"
At the close OF Mr.. Foss' address Michael
Ryan Of Ohio spoke for five minutes In
favor Of a reciprocity arrangement between
this country and Europe, and the meeting
then adjourned until tomorrow.
Pamphlet Caused Excitement.
Considerable excitement was caused be-
fore the proceedings started by the dis
tribution of pamphlet signed by Albert
Clarke, secretary of the Home Market
Club of Boston, assailing the reciprocity
movement and backing up the attack with
an alleged letter from John M. Carson.
chief Of the bureau OF manufacturers In
the Department of Commerce and Labor.
The Carson letter was dated July Y. ana
declared: The department has no infor-
nation regarding the adoption by the prin-
cipal nations of continental Europe Of high
tariff rates"
The communication further set forth
that the department had no copies OF the
new German tariff" This admission was
taken by Mr. Clarke the basis of an arr
gument seeking to show that there was no
need Of reciprocity conference.
man employed in distributing thesq
pamphlets was shown to the door by F. Ma
Skinner of the executive committee of the
conference and strict instructions were tss
sued that he be kept out during the sesS
sions. But nearly a hundred copies were
distributed among the delegates.