Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-13

facturers Association in this city to-
night. Congressman Charles H. Gros-
venor of Ohio. was unable to be pres
ent, ana the address on Lincoln was
delivered by the toastmaster, Congress-
man James +. Burke. c. A. Fleck, UNI
der secretary Of state of prussia, and
+. w. Gutbrod of the German en-
b&ssy at Washington, who are visiting
some OF the industrial plants in the
city, We're also guests
The banquet assumed somewhat of n
national interest by reason of the pres
ence OF Congressman Littleficid and
Mr. foss, and the fact that their
speeches. We're to he in the nature of
a debate on the tariff question. Mr..
Foss was Introduced as Il Well-knoWn
iron manufacturer OF New England and
one OF The foremost opponents of re-
ciproclty, as We'll as the vice president
OF the tariff Reciprocal League.
Mr.. Foss in opening his speech said
this was the iron age and Pittsburg
as the iron city was in one dominant
aspect Tue metropolis of the era. He
said the greatest factor in the I'M
rivalied growth Of the city was unrc-
stricted reciprocity with As most pros
porous and progressive states OF the
earth. Continuing, Mr.. Foss said:
Il peheVe in Il trnly protective and
not restrictive and reactiOnary policy.
believe in Il tariff that will overcome
the difference in the cost OF prOduc-
ton here and abroad and give every
workman Il reasonable advantage IN
our markets; that will protect him,
in whatever sphere he is found, in
stead OF discriminating against him as
our present tariff does in many particu-
lars.
Il also believe in reciprocity. l be-
lieve in it as complement and counter
balance of the policy of protection. ]
believe in tariff which recognizes the
special relation to us of contiguous
ana other countries on this continent;
tariff that does not ignore the de-
slrablllty of commerce and maritime
enterprise the world over; 4 tariff that
docs not permit the mass of our citi-
zons to be exploited for the pecuniary
bellett Of few greedy Institutions"
AIR. FOss then took up the principles
of the late James G. Blaine, to whom
he referred as the father and founder
Of the system of which I am an ex-
pOnent"
The speaker presented number of
comparative statistics and said:
Our commercial attitude toward
the world is and for more than a gen.
Grafton has been one of exclusion"
lie sketched the attitude of the
United States towards the world and
in turn the worlds attitude towards
the United States. He touched upon
the stand-pat policy, saying:
The stand-patter acts on the theory
that there is no sentiment in trade"
He then referred to the McCleary
bill in Congress and said:
1T was fruit of several stand-pat
conferences" and it was a "retaliatory
measure pure and simple"
In closing Mr.. Foss said:
we have admired reciprocity as an
academic question but as one of our
leading Republicans says, we have
coddled it in conventions and crucitied
it in the halls Of legislation. We will
yet be awakened rudely to the fact
that the policy of reciprocity is abso-
lutely necessary to our future peace
and prosperity"
Mr.. Littlcfield spoke on "Our American
Business interests lie held that Ameri-
ca was for Americans and likewise the
American markets for the American nro-
Queer. He said the greatest industrial
and commercial development that the
world has ever seen involved two great
factors. First, vast and unlimited we'll
nigh inexhaustible resources: second.
transportation facilities in their charac-
ter. their cheapncss, their facility IN
edualled anywhere.
Il am not able to agree with nv dis
tnguished friend that the prosperity of
the city of Pittsburg, exceeding i'll
amount as it does the prosperity of any
spot the round world over. is the result
Of reciprocity with other portions of the
United States, because. / submit to you
with great confidence. that the term re
ciprOcal or reciprocity as applied in tho
development of Pittsburg and its c3nncc-
ton with the balance of this country is
not only n misuse but abuse of the term
Mr.. Littlcfield said reciprocity involved
commercial agreement between two
countries by which one country comedies
advantage to another. and continuing
said:
And not a dollar of the trade of Pitts
burg either III sale or in purchase. involv
ed any concession to any other section of
the country. or the result of any couces-
sion by it to any other section Of the
country
The sneaker then presented statistics
to bear out his contention
At the conclusion both speakers were
cheered and applauded.