Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-20
NEBRASKA Has ACTIVE PART
Delegates from This State Prominent at
Chicago Reciprocity Conference.
KENNEDY OUTLINES EXACT POSITION
Believed, with Colleagues, and stin
Believes, that Dual Tariff f.
Not the Best Method
of solution.

Nebraska played a far more prominent
part in the national reciprocity conference
at Chicago than the Associated Press dis
patches showed. The Chicago papers of
Friday morning devote considerable space
90 the attitude and speeches OF the dele
gates from this state, who we're led by Con-
gresham Kennedy as chairman Of the del
egation and Edward Rosewater.
Nebraska contributed the chief source of
opposition TO the final and binding acts Of
the conference, but after defeat fell into
line on the broad spirit Of the enterprise.
The Nebraska delegates and Govern or
Cummins' forces differed on two essential
points. On the first the former contended
that the conference should not commit IT.
self solely TO the minimum and maximum
tariff idea, but should also go on record
for reciprocity in its widest sense. the
method Of reaching the objects sought be-
ing left to conditions and expediency Tho
Cummins people insisted upon the mini
mum and maximum expression and won.
Nebraska desired the executive committee
composed Of one delegate from each state,
but lost again and the Cumnins demand
for committee of fifteen, appointed by
the chairman. was approved.
Kennedy No Coward.
Congressman Kennedy. in particular as
chairman of the delegation, voiced the sem
timent Of his delegation and occupied con-
siderable time on the floor. He took occa-
sion TO repute the fling that congressman
are towards" and de1ed anyone to place
him in that category. Said he:
I'VE cannot afford to declare in favor Of
dual tariff and not in favor Of reciprocity.
We in Nebraska are in favor of tariff re-
vision, dual tariff or anything that will re-
lieve the situation, but we do not want to
ignore reciprocity. 1 have heard a great
deal about the cowardoe Of congressman,
but am here to say that am not cow
ard on this proposition. What 1 say here
am ready to say on the floor Of congress"
After Kennedys speech Texas and other
states fell into line with Nebraska, but the
Iowa people had the majority well in hand
Outline of NebrasI1a's Position.
Congressman Kennedy on his return to
Omaha gave out the following statement
as a clear outline of the position OF the
Nebraska delegates and his own views Of
the Importance Of the conference:
The national reciprocity conference was
called in Chicago to urge the wisdom OF
principle Of reciprocity for that of exclu-
sion and retaliation. The signers Of the
I'VE care not whether the future of our
foreign trade be safeguarded by means of
direct reciprocity treaties or under the pro-
minimum tariff law"
The committee on resolutions reported
that the convention advocated reciprocal
concessions by means of a dual or maxi
mum and minimum tariff as the most ade-
quate and practical method of relieving
the strained situation with which we are
now confronted. That resolution was not
satisfactory to Governor Cummins Of Iowa
and the committee accepted his amend
ment, by which in effect the convention
declared in favor Of a dual or maximum
and practical method OF relieving at this
time the strained situation. When the con-
ference adjourned Thursday noon the Ne
braska delegates met at the stratford hotel
ana unanimously agreed to present a sub
stitute for the resolution referred to, ad-
vocatlng reciprocal concessions by the most
immediate, adequate and practical method
either by reciprocity treaties or a maxi
was In direct line with the cali for the con
ference and advocated action by reciprocity
treaties or maximum and minimum tariff
as the one or the other might prove TO be
most immediate, adequate and practical
The The Cummips resolution recognized only
the one method, the maximum and mini
mum tarin, and excluded reciprocity, ex-
cept as reciprocal relations might be estab-
mum and minimum tariff After a spirited
discussion the conference adopted the Cum
minis resolution.
Permanent League Demanded.
the committee on resolutions recon-
formed under the style of The American
reciprocal Iariff league, and that a COM
with full power to organize and nTosan1,t
the work. The Nebraska delegates unanIo
1g SsSFeed upon d substitute for the
ing Ior a committee of one from each state
hnu territory, the members to be appointed
delegates from the several states After
considerable discussion. the plan of the
eommittee was adopted. creating a commit
tee OF fifteen only.
The delegates from Nebraska believed
have stil ipeneVe, that the conference should
ties, as well as the maximum and minimum
tariH because while the present treaties
nrmed the tariff will probably soon he
revised and new powers given TO the presi.
other words, we feel that the conventieT
should nave advocated both methods 90
s anal %ShIich n method might prove most
we are in complete sympathy with tbss
Te.e,ilprocity movement and while differing
with the majority of the convention as re
means We are with them in obtaining the
desired result We feel satisfied that the
i ssy0IaE WOULD receive broader and more
mlttee had been enlarged on the lines sug
sebsted by us. yet we will cooperate with
thering the objects of the Organization
While the agricultural and stock Interests
the movement i is an N my Judgment
eral desire for tariff revision. and will have
la5 IeeaaChlh4 erect. The men who COM
posed the convention were earnest and
energetic, and If the permanent organiza
uon carries on the work with spirit ana
materially advanced wa 'e
Speaking for myself, l favor the i'm
inedlate revision OF the tariff because No
tarin based upon conditions existing eiEbt
years ago, no matter how wisely laid can
De iair and equitable as applied to present
conditions Such action should be taken
pow when the country is prosperous, and
Will stand the necessary changes without
serious disturbance TO business There
should be no change In the principle on
protection, but only In its application I be-
policy. ''''''
81. Paul and Return
N260