Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-11-11
HILL TALKS on RECIPROCITY
Railway Nagusts Addresses ohicass Esr-
chants on Relations with Canada,
PROBLEM OF TRANSPORTATION DISCUSSED
There O. = shortage of Tracks aud
Terminals ~ wen 90 Of Cars
Favors ship Canal to
Calf

CHICAGO, Nov. johannes J. Hill ws4
the guest OF honor at the banquet of No
Merchants club tonight and delivered ~
extended address upon "Chicago's Interest
In Reciprocity with Canada"
Mr. Hin was introduced to his auditors
by Charles d. Norton. president. Of the
club, who said that Chicago IN It's history
had survived two great caiamities. the first
being the great Chicago fire. and that
other the fact that James ]. Hill passed
the city without stopping when he went
TO make his home in the northwest. ,.
After outlining the commercial greatness
of Chicago and giving some of the res-
sons therefor Mr.. Hiil said: ....
Today the entire country is suffering
from want of transportation facilities 60
move its business without unreasonable
delay. The prevailing idea with the pub
lio is that the shortage is in traoks and
terminals to provide a greater opportunity
for the movement OF the cars.
Problem of transportation.
The speaker declared that the country
today faced transportation problem
which only time patience and the expendi-
ture Of enormous sums of money will rem
edy, He asserted that there is a crying
need now for the construction OF a hfteen-
foot canal between 81. Louis and New
Orleans, and he said that the necessity
for this would increase with time. There
Is no more important general work for the
government to perform he said, than 10
construct a canal capable OF carrying YES
sells of tifteen-feet draft
Mr.. Hill cited. figures showing that the
trade with the people whom the United
States will be able TO reach. by the con-
struction Of the Panama canal amounts 20
only about -S54.5oO.0oO annually. while our
trade with Canada is over S2OOoOO.OO0 per
annum. He asserted that the conservation
and increase OF this trade is of greater
Importance than anything that will aecrue
TO the United States because OF the con-
struction OF the canal.
Argument for Reciprocity.
Concerning reciprocity with Canada Mr..
Hill said:
The plea for more liberal trade relations
is negatived only BY unreaEoning individ-
ual selhshness. The conclusive argument
for reciprocity with Canada always has
been and must be, the experience of several
American states, Had 1t not been prohib-
tied by the constitution each state Of the
union would have levied a DUTY on ell conf
merce crossing its boundaries. Yot all
the development of the United States has
been the commercial elimination OF state
| lines. Unrestricted trade between the
states has favored all of them.
Whatever commercial policy confers the
greatest benefits on the whole continent
| will best advance the various parts and
this city would receive and confer inesu.
mable benefits under a more liberal trade
| convention. Canada will IN any event. and
! developed. Would II then be disadvan-
! tageous for us to share I'M the products OF
the fields Of Manitoba, Alberta and saska
! tchewan?
The manufacturing interests of both
| countries are the first to raise an alarm,
! but there Is no danger here. We have as
much reason 20 dread Canadian compeuuou
| as Pennsylvania has to cry Tor protectioh
against North Dakota. Canada would be
no more In danger than is Montana by the
| competition OF Ohio.
The time Is opportune for a practical
| movement toward better trade relations
with, Canada, There has been increasing
! irritation toward our attitude ana already
| the fact that our average taitn against the
! Dominion Is 1873 while that OF Canada
against the United, States Is PASS causes
! comment and suggests reprisals
Free Trade with Canada.
In closing. Mr. Hin said;
What is the first practical step? The
wipIng out OF customs houses along the
northern frontier and the establishment
there of absolute free trade. II the time =
not ripe for that the least that u demap 10
ginning until We have fixed In our mind,
the desirability' OF a free tnterchange oi
natural products and raw materials; siyinf
TO the New England manufacturer his fue
and 20 the farmer OF the western plains MS
lumber, and TO the makers OF books and
newspapers everywhere their PRINT Papel
free from tho exactions which needless
taTiff now permits monopoly 10 impose
From this as a beginning work may go TOT
ward toward larger liberty by an enlarge
ment of markets and progress or pu5liI
sentiment that reciprocity once I'm operation
will assure.
Now Is the time 10 make your wants
l. A a M