The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1906-05-05
American Reciprocal
Tariff League.

DICKINSON, N. D., April 80, "
To The PRESS: desire to ca il u
attention Of the readers of the PRESS to
the report of the official board of the
American Reciprocal Tariff League, be-
lieving that it is of paramount interest to
the people of our state, which is the fore
most in cereal and stock-raising, and
also realizing that the PRESS is the best
medium for calling public attention to
the request This matter was sent to
me as was the sole delegate from North
Dakota to this gathering. The letter re-
ferred to is as follows:
Chicago, ILL.,, April 7, 1906. is. Let's.
Dear Sir: AS you have kindly advised
us of your interest in the movement
which we are advocating in favor of bet
ter reciprocal trade relations with other
nations, we desire to call your attention
to the fact that prospective candidates
for congressional nominations are now
beginning to seek recognition. Congress
sional conventions are now being held
throughout the country and no more eff
cient work could be rendered by you in
behalf of this movement than to actively
seek and require of such candidates to
fully declare themselves upon this ques-
ton. Their constituents should know
absolutely where they stand and what
they will do if elected.
We are not advocating any radical
tearing up of present conditions or vio-
lent revisions Of the tariff law, but we
are insisting that it is the patriotic duty
of men representing the great dominant
party in national affairs to see to it that
the pledges of that party as adopted in
national platforms over and over again
and as enacted into law as in ssection
of the Dingley act, shall be honestly and
faithfully carried out to legitimate and
proper conclusion.
AS it is, this pledge has not been kept,
and has been absolutely crucifed when
ever efforts have been made to make it
vital force. We believe that while we
are prosperous is of all others the best
time to prepare for dangers which
threaten that prosperity in the very near
future.
We beg leave to remind you that the
last election was carried largely by the
statement that the tariff "ought to be re-
vised by its friends" and that it "oueht
to be revised when changed conditions
in connection with. any schedule de-
manded revision" Leading members of
the party concede the inequalities and
injustice largely borne by the agricul-
turists as result of retaliatory measures
on the part of foreign nations. We,
therefore, urge upon you to take the op-
portunity offered in the congressional
campaign now about to begin, to see to
it that men who can be depended upon
to redeem their promises are sent as
your representatives to congress.
We call your attention to the resolu.
tons of the reciprocity conference of last
August:
Resolved: First-That this conven-
ton, recognizing the principle of protec-
ton as the established policy of our
country, advocates reciprocal conces-
sions by means of dual or maximum
and minimum tariff, as the only practical
method of relieving at this time the
strained situation with which we are now
confronted.
Second That eventually the question
of the schedules and items to be con-
sidered in reciprocal concessions prefer
ably be suggested by a permanent tariff
commission, to be created by congress
and appointed by the president, which
shall consist of economic, industrial and
commercial experts.
Third-That it is the sense Of this con-
vention that our present tariff affords
abundant opportunity for such conces-
sions without injury to industry, trade or
the wages of labor.
Fourth That we urge upon congress
action at the earliest time possible.
Certainly this method of adjusting our
foreign commercial relations cannot be
criticised, and as means to this end
and as beginning of the system out
lined in these resolutions, we cordially
commend to your consideration the ress-