The Dickinson press., 1905-08-26
RECIPROCITY.
The Meaning ofthe Chicago Convention
BY ]. S. LET'S, DICKINSON.

BY ]. S. LET'S, DICKINSON.
Thesubjecto Reciprocity" is a newly
intensified perception OF National policy
demanded by the following repre-
sentative classes of the Unit-d States,
to-wit: The National Live Stock associa-
ton, the American Stock Growers asso-
citation; the Corn Belt Meat Growers
association; the Live Stock Exchanges;
the Cattle Raisers' association; Ameri-
can Breeders association; American
Angus Breeders association; The Amer
lean Breeders association; the Ameri-
can Galway Breeders association; the
American Hereford association; the
American Millers' National Federation;
the Chicago Board of Trade; the Chica-
go Commercial association; the Illinois
Mfg Association; and the National AS
ISOLATION of Agricultural Implement
Manufacturers. represented by 600 dele
gates in the Chicago Reciprocity con-
vention.
This impressive lineup is n of the
most important moral avalanches of
movement in the interest of American
industrial protection that has been
brought to the attention of the general
public in years.
The matter is one of real interest to
the farmer of the west, who, as in all
countries. constitute the lords of creative
wealth, by converting Tin harmony with
nature) the clods of earth into the domes-
tic intrinsic values of all commerce.
Practically. that in matters of legisla-
ton and of tariff regulations, the time
has come when their voices should be
heard and respected by their represent
atives in our federal Congress, and
especially so at the present time when
all our meats and live cattle are about to
be practically shut out of continental
Europe by prohibitive tariff tinkering.
The Merchants association of New
York says: "lmportant changes have
taken or are about to take place in the
tariff systems of nearly all the continent
tai systems of Europe. which have
adopted, or have under contemplation,
the adoption of high protective tariff
duties On imports"
Most of those nations have adopted a
dual tariff system, under which they
apply a maximum or general tariff on
ordinary imports, and minimum, separ-
ate, or conventional tariff duties to those
nations which make reciprocal conces-
sions in their rates of duty, the difference
in the w rates running from IS per
cent to IS per cent.
The result of these new systems will
be most disastrous to the export trade OF
j, the United States.
/ In addition to those prohibitive rates
imposed upon us, our products will mee'
{ with the severe competition Of othel
nations to whom the minimum tariff
rates are conceded.
The seriousness of the situation will
i, be realized when it is considered that GU
y exports during the year 1894, which ex
, ceeded one billion, ffty-seven million
dollars, of which the United Kingdom
received s215,ooo,ooo, France S65,ooo.oo<
. and Italy s]35,ooo.ooo. is now %seriousl.
imperilled.
The New York association wisel,
recommends that in accordance with thu
K last words of President Mckinley WI
seek to establish reciprocal trade rela
tons with all the countries of Europe
e and with our neighbors on the north ant
a south.
O The Merchants association of New
" York voices the sentiment also of tn
l. Chicago Reciprocity convention in re
n commencing all trade organizations (ant
d it should have said farmers association
also) to take prompt and active steps t.
impress upon President Roosevelt, ant
to urge upon our senators and represent
d atives in Congress, the importance O
o establishing reciprocal trade relations
o with the countries of Europe in order t.
preserve our trade and to enlarge it.
The Merchants association also ask
that copies of all letters sent to or re
n ceived from public officials On the sub
ject be sent to their association.