The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-02-28

definite step forward has been TAX
en- toward determining the future
| policy of this country in reference to
| foreign trade. Much credit is due to
the initiative taken by the New York
board of trade and transportation.
The convention at Washington on the
18th. 18th and 10th OF January proved
TO be large and important gathering
representing the views OF business
men in many of the states OF the
union.
Among the numerous subjects which
engaged the attention of the conven-
ton, as related to the broad question
OF foreign commerce the tariff was,
as a matter of course, conspicuous.
The action OF the convention relative
TO tariff and reciprocity is expressed
in the adoption Of the following pre-
amble aud resolutions:
Whereas. The adoption Of maxi
mum and minimum protective tariff
systems and the execution In connec-
ton Herewith of numerous reciprocal
trade agreements 10y various foreign
countries. notably In continental Eu-
rope, are rendering II increasingly
difficult for our exporters TO compete
successfully for business as against
specially favored nations; and
Whereas. our government is pow
erless. under existing laws, to provide
adequate protection To our foreign
trade in such instances; and
Whereas. IL has become vitality nee
essary 10 secure wider foreign mar
kets for our increasing agricultural
and manufactured products; and
Whereas. Canada. Mexico. Central
and South America. Asia. Australia
and Africa afford opportunities for the
sale OF our surplus under more favor
able trade conditions. Therefore. be
Il
Resolved. That this convention In.
Ntes the earnest attention OF congress
TO our foreign trade situation. and
urges early and favorable considera-
ton OF a maximum and minimum tar
IN schedule based upon a concession
up to 20 per cent. from the existing
rates OF duties under the terms OF
which the president may have au-
thority to enter into such commercial
connections OF agreements as may be
deemed essential 10 the Safeguarding
and extension Of the markets for our
surplus commodities; and be II fur
Their
Resolved. That in addition TO the
granting Of discretionary powers TO
-. q ~. 81 fak
ment OF a permanent. non-partisan ad-
visory board or commission. charged
with the duty OF studying at all times
our trade relations with foreign coun-
tries, with a view toward recommend
ing. from time TO time. such mOdiflca-
lions in customs duties or regulations
as may. in their judgment be neces-
sRry or desirable"
The resolution relating TO the crea-
ton of a non-partisan advisory com
mission may as well be left out OF
consideration. No such commission
ever can or ever viii be created. Non
partisanship on the tariff question does
not exist. II never win exist There
fore, there can be no non-partisan
commission.
The main thing accomplished by the
convention was TO give form and body
TO the question OF a dual tariff system.
II remained for Joseph G. Cannon.
speaker OF the house Of representa-
tiyes, to define once for all the dis
tinction between the two types OF
dual tariff. Speaker Cannon left no
room for doubt on that point. With
the clear head and undaunted courage
which have made him famous
among the distinguished men OF the
country throughout all its history. this
plain citizen OF Illinois made It per.
fectly clear what a dual tarin system
must be and must not be. His re-
marks to the 100 delegates who Wis
tied him are worthy to be craven in
letters of gold. No man has ever
spoken more TO the purpose or more
to the point. Il was the right time TO
speak; time that the right thing be
said.
What Speaker Cannon said was, In
substance and effect. that in adopting
a dual tariff system devised in the in
terest OF our foreign trade, we must
start with a minimum tariff as our
basis. a tariff that shall adequately
protect American labor and industry
against foreign competition. From
that adequately protective minimum
tariff there shall be no reduction or
concession TO any foreign competi-
tor. That. as Speaker Cannon points
out is the policy OF every country
which has two sets Of tariff rates. IL
must be the tariff policy OF this coun-
try. No intelligent man who believes
at all in the system of protection can
dispute the proposition that our start
ing point in arranging for a double
tariff must OF necessity be a settled
minimum. Upon that, says Speaker
Cannon, we may do precisely what
other countries have done and are
doing-build a schedule Of maximum
rates. perhaps ten, perhaps 20 per
cent, to apply TO the products OF
countries which shall refuse to grant
TO the exports of the United States