The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-16
HUNDREDS MEET
FOR RECIPROCITY
National Conference Opens in Chi
cago with the West Well
Represented.

Chicago, Aug. 16.-The national reci-
procity conference began a two-day
session today at the illinois theater,
600 delegates from all parts of the
country having assembled to discuss
reciprocal trade relations with other
countries, amendment of the Dingley
tariff law, alterations Of the interstate
commerce laws and kindred matters.
The west sent large delegation, the
tries Of the west being especially well
represented. Manufacturers from the
eastern states are also well represented
at the conference.
A notable feature of the conference
was the attendance of foreign consuls
resident in Chicago, representing near
~ every country in the world.
Sanders Outlines Purposes.
The conference was called to order
at l0:l5 O'Clock this morning by A.
D. Sanders Of Chicago. He said:
The establishment Of fairer trade rela-
lions with foreign nations Is a matter
that affects directly the prosperity of
every farmer, stockgrower and exporter
in the United States. One by one, the
European governments are Tightening the
coils Intended to strangle the American
export trade in agricultural products and
manufactured goods. We are today face
to face with new and prohibitive Ger
man tariff, designed tot keep out every
pound of American breadstuffs and provi-
sions. Retaliation has been tried at tre-
mendous cost to our producers and manu-
| facturers. and Is a failure.
Inc long roll of delegates attending
th1s convention, 1t seems to me, supplies
proof at once convincing and complete
that there is real demand from the
| business interests of this country for
congressional attention to the needs of
our foreign commerce.
"@~. Non-PartIzan Movement.
The committee of arrangements has en-
deavored to make this conference abso-
lutely non-partizan. Moreover, We have
no pet plan of bringing about the desired
results. We distinctly disclaim any at
! tack on the protective tariff principle, or
upon any particular interest.
| We believe that our great basic indus
| try, agriculture, the backbone of all our
prosperity, cannot safely be neglected
further, and that its welfare at this juno
| ture can be assured by suitable congress
sional action without detriment to any
other legitimate American Industry. It
is idle to say that nothing can be done
Where there Is a will there is a way.
W14Qer Is Cla1TMdO. d..
Mr.. Sanders nominated as temporary
chairman of the convention John T.
| Wilder, president of the Illinois Manu-
facturers' association. The nomination
was unanimously accepted.
William r. Corwin Of New York was
chosen secretary pro TEN. Of the con.
vention, and Frederick Larrabee of
Iowa assistant secretary pro TEN.
Governor Charles S. Deneen Of Hi
nois was introduced, and said:
cit has not escaped the notice oil
the American people that several of the
nations Of continental Europe are rails
ing. up discriminating and prohibitive
tariffs against the products of our fields
and factories. They call us 'the Amer
lean peril and seek to quarantine
against US.
"What are we to do about it's Shall
we resort to the law of the talon OF
meet proHered concessions with conces
rslons 81 Such are the questions which
you are met to consider. It is not toe
much to say that the nation hopes tina
out OF this conference will come sug
gestions and recommendations which
will meet with the approval of ou1
president and the congress, and lead tx
the enactment of laws and the negotia
ton and ratification Of treaties Which
will not alone enable us to retain tn,
foreign commerce we already have, bu
to enlarge it,