Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-06-29
A NATIONAL RECIPROCITY CONVENTION

~ NNssONV1 RCOT NULL y CUNVENIlUN
Despite the reputation of the prin-
ciple of reciprocity by the Des Moines
Capital. the Burlington Hawkeye and
ether SATELLITES of the corporate in
terests, who assume on their own au-
thority b speak fr the farmers, rep
rescntatives' of the agricultural COM
irercial and livestock interests, met
Tuesday in Chicago to arrange for a
national reciprocity conference. The
meeting will take place in August It's
object as stated by the representatives
gathered together Tuesday, is the se-
curing of more advantageous trade
relations between the United States
ana other nations. The call for the
conference was signed by the Chicago
Commercial Association, the National
Livestock Association, the Chicago
board of trade, the Illinois Manufac-
turers' Association; the National Live
stock Exchange, the Millers' National
Federation, the American Shorthorn
Breeders Association and the Ma
tional Association of Agricultural
Implement and Vehicle Manufacture
erS.
Some Of these representatives ex-
pressed themselves Chairman Sam
ders. of the executive committee of the
International Livestock Exposition,
said:
We propose to ask our senators and
representatives to exercise their polit-
ical power, regardless Of party. In be-
helf of fairer trade relations with Eur
ope as well as with the orient. This
convention Is called for the purpose Of
crystalizing the growing sentiment in
the west in relation to the important
matter of broadening the markets for
our agricultural products in continent
tai Europe. Germany and her neigh
bors would take out Of this country
annually large tonnage made up of
surplus products from our farms and
feed lots if we. would but tote fair" in
our business dealings with them.
A. M. Compton, chairman Of the Chi
go Commercial Association, was am
ether who freely expressed his fear
that failure to carry out the policies
of Blaine, Kasson and Mckinley, means
loss to the agriculturalists and other
producing interests.
After the new German tariff goes
into effect the United States will fur
Eish very little of Germans vast inn
ports Of bread and meat" said Mr..
Compton, land our farmers will suf-
fer an enormous loss by losing this
market. We have been shut out of
France many years by a similar high
tariff. In 1912 and in 1918, owing
to short crops in France, their prohib-
tive tariff on our wheat was suspend
ed. In our fiscal year 1892 they took
more than 100000 bushels, and in
the year ending June 80, 1893, they
took more than 30,000,00O bushels.
Prices advanced considerably in this
country in both Of those years, SO that
Que. farmers not only had larger mar
ket, but received higher prices. This
experience with the French tariff dem
onstrates the Importance to the Unit
ed States of obtaining the most fav-
orahle markets possible for our agri-
cultural products, in foreign countries"
John E. Wilder, president Of the
Illinois Manufacturers Association,
said:
THE German government has made
no secret Of tho fact that it would like
to negotiate reciprocity treaty with
us in which Germany would remove
this discrimination against our goods.
Something certainly should be done by
cur government 1t seems that the
principal commercial nations which
have general tariffs on imports are
adopting the policy Of preferential tar
ifs. France has had a preferential tar
if since 1892 All our competitors pay
the minimum rates Of duty under the
French tariff but the maximum rates
are charged on goods which go to
France from this country. President
Mckinley sought to remove this dis
elimination by reciprocity treaty
with France, but the senate unfor-
tunately refused to ratify this treaty"
Take the witnesses.
Special Excursion
To 81. Paul, and Minneapolis, Satur-
dav July 90 1905, via Chicago Great