Evening star., 1909-02-01
Material Reductions in Rates.

enact a new tariff bill, in which there
| will be material reductions in the rates
of duty upon certain articles, and the ad-
| vocates of reciprocity are trying to per-
| suade the committee of ways and means
| to take advantage of the situation and
provide that these reductions shall not
apply to the imports from any country
| which does not make similar or equiva-
| lent concessions in favor of the exports
| of the United States.
| 1t has been intimated and it is gen
| orally understood, that the committee will
| adopt new form for our tariff schedules
and fix two rates Of duty-a maximum
and minimum rate-which shall be ap-
piled to imports from foreign countries
according to circumstances from time to
| time. at the discretion of the President.
Such an arrangement would permit a
practical and effective application of the
reciprocity principle without diplomatic
| negotiations or special legislation. But
the effectiveness of the arrangement
would derend entirely upon the manner
in which the principle is applied and the
officials of the American Reciprocity
League have devised "a plan. and have
recommended it to the committee, which
they think will be of great advantage to
the farmers and manufacturers of the
United States.
The reciprocity league is an organiZat ION
representing about 210 agricultural, man
ufacturing and mercantile associations,
of the reciprocity principle in our foreign
trade: and, although it extends through
out the country and includes among its
members some of the most influential
men in the United States. it has thus far
failed TO accomplish any practical results
In the way of legislation. At the same
time ii has been educating public opin-
ion in a very effective manner, and has
taken an active part In campaigns against
the reelection of members Of the House
of Representatives who have been espe-
cially active in their opposition to reci-
procity. Several prominent members of
the present House owe their defeat for
the next to the retribution of the reci-
prOcity league.
Views of Reciprocity League.
Mr.. Alvin II. Sanders. editor of the
Breeders Gazette, and president of the
Reciprocity League, has submitted to the
committee Of ways and means and to the
finance committee of the Senate PROPOSE
tions embodying the views and recon-
mendatiOns of that association.
''The gist of our content:on,' said Mr..
Sanders the other day, lis that any reduc-
tions which may be made In existing
schedules. instead Of being freely given
to the nations of the world at large
should be made the basis Of obtaining
concessions from countries that now re-
strict, hamper or entirely exclude Ameri-
can products through the operation of
nigh tdrluS OF Otnet governmental regu-
lations.
Most of the great commercial nations
are now applying the protective tariff
principle through some form of the dual
tariff system. They will all be willing
enough to seek the best possible terms
with the United States; so that by with
holding our new tariff until satisfactory
propositions can first be had from them,
we will. in the end. not only bring 10
the relief Of the American consumer
whatever of benefit he may derive from
reductions made In the schedules. but we
will have gained at the same time new
outlets abroad for surplus products of our
farms and factories.
Submits Several Propositions.
Il have, therefore, submitted the fol-
lowing propositions:
81. Revise the schedules on the basis
of according adequate (but not excessive,
protection to all American Industries
This many are inclined to believe would
probably result in considerable reduce
tons of duties in certain lines.
-. Place the application of the revised