The Washington herald., 1907-01-15

Modification of the tariff to a certain !
extent, the abolition Of the tariff on pig
iron. a parcels post between the United .
States and foreign countries, a move in +
the direction of ship subsidy. the inn
provemeut Of the waterways, and the en-
couragement OF the manual training
schools-aH these things were advocated
yesterday at the first meeting Of the na-
uonal convention for the extension Of the /
foreign commerce Of the United States.
Hundreds Of representative manufacturers
and exporters and business men Of the
country and others OF national reputa-
ton are in attendance at the meeting
which is the most important asemoiage
Of its kind ever held.
The principal address delivered at the
afternoon session was by William Nc
Carroll. president of the New York Board
OF Trade and Transportation, which or
ganizatiOn brought about the convention,
He dwelt on the importance Of the United
States providing for its future trade with
foreien countries by spending "a part Of
its earnings at the present time for build
ing up this business. Mr.. McCarroll en-
phasized the fact that this country is
enjoying the greatest prosperity in its
history, and that the commercial men
should not overlook the opportunity Of
preparing themselves for the future.
Must Look TO Future.
He stated that certain amount of this
vast sum being earned by the maEufac-
turers Of this country should be expended
abroad and at home, with the result that
eventually, possibly when times are not
as good MS at present foreign trade would
be built I'D and the benefit derived when
the people here most needed IT,
He talked al length on The benefits 10
DE gained bv encouraging trade with
other countries. Commerce" he said.
.'is Co combine the worlds and assist in
The progress OF the human race Mr..
McCaroH stated that the business men
OF This country should center their
thoughts cl how to set q share OF the
worlds commerce. With the conclusion
OF lis remarks TWO immense American
flags were unf0lded from above the
speakers stand and the convention arose.
singing My Country. 'Tis Of Thee
Lewis Nixon. of New York. one of the
prominent members Of the organization.
began his address with reference 10 the
GeplJra5le condition Of the American
marine in foreign trade. Shlpouildlng and
Slipownilg Iog foreign TRADE are uupro-
tecreI il country whose policy is pro
tzc.iFe wi-l yle result that both langulsh-
-e said.
-FueI and steel are the great factors
ia controlling The lIsr cost 1t building
ssirs. tIE Nixon said The placing % dicu-
Eal ra the free IstWllL. ll spite opposition
10 i.- =-.-...-. production. control Ui-
-ul--I.- the -.li question. a grave danger eN-
t lists as To -lc cost OF steel. Steps are now
/ 8eluE taken that VIII soon place AT least
E So per cent ~ tine pig iron OF the United
( States iu the hands OF one interest The
result oI this VII be an advance in the
( price OF steel. To avoid this, it is absc-
EluteIy necessary that pig iron be placed
lon the free list
Haudicnps of ShipOwners.
Mr.. Nixon also spoke with regard TO
American shipowuers' han5icsps. Sub
-entions. subsidies. State-lOaned money,
md railroad discrimination must be Tecog-
llzed. he asserted. The railways are
,vertaxed in this country, and as "a REM
.dy NIr. 0IcCarrou suggested water trans
}ortation. with the canals owned by the
government
He is also in favor Of a parcels post for
.oue and f0reigu service. Another matter
uggested by lIr. Nixon was reform in
he consular service for The good Of
.merica AID its business abroad
James ". Van CIeave. president of the
,ational Association Of Manufacturers.
uring his address advocated an adequate
lerchant marine subsidy. lie believed
nat the waterways should be improved
lr several reasons, the principal object
{ which would be TO keep down railroad
ates.
With regard to the tariff he said that
iscoveries. inventions, and alterations ia
lshions had changed the industrial con-
itiOns so that the tariffs need revision
rom time 10 time. As q preliminary TO
3rid revision. Mr.. Van Cleave suggested
nat Congress appoint a commission. rep
ssented by both parties whose duties
would be to go over the tariff schedules
nd change them wherever desirable The
)mmission should also consider the ques-
on Of reciprocity, he thought
FavorS Manual Training.
lie particularly favored the idea Of the
lcouragement Of manual training, and
lat America should make better goods
AN its European competitors.
Many labor unions viii oppose the pol.
OF the manual training schools" he
i'd Labor unions constitute only one
tenth of the workers OF the United
States. and the proportion of oppressive
labor organizations is steadily and rapidly
decreasing.
AS against the naTTOwness and the ar
rogance OF the labor unions we mus
place the well-being Of the rising genera
ton of Americans who the unions would
shut out from the profitable employment
which they seek We must consider tn,
prestige and prosperity of the country
all OF which are assailed by the unions
proscriptve policy
ITO save American producers and manu-
facturers valuable foreign markets. and
build up outlets for the surplus OF thL
country was the text Of the address O.
Alvin II. Sanders, of Chicago. chairman
Of the American Reciprocal Tariff League
He advocated a joint resolution by Con
gress, authorizing the President TO con
cede for q periCO Of five years up 10 =
per cent of such existing duties as might
be necessary TO secure minimum. o.
nost-favOred nation treatment for q lik,
period, would give a maximum and mini
mum tariff without delay and without
general revision.
Discussion Grows Heated.
One Of the features of the Afternoon
session was rather heated discussion
over the appointment of q committee OF
resolutions 1t was suggested that th-
committee consist of one representstiv,
OF every State in the Union. Delegates
from the several trade and commercial or
ganiZati0ns Immediately entered a protes
against such action on the part of III
convention, setting forth the claim that +
such delegates should be appointed. thei
respective organizations would not D.