The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-12-07

While the double tariff feature Of thp
tariff law Of 1909 has been amply iusti
fed by the results achieved In remoy.
ing former and preventing new undue
determinations against American com
merce. it is believed that the time has
come for the amendment of this fra.
ture of the law in such way rs Ia
provide graduated means Of meet.
ing varying degrees Of discriminatory
treatment of American commerce in
foreign countries as well MS To pro-
ie,t the financial interests abroad of
American citizens against arbitrary
and Injurious us'trentinent on the part of
foreign governments through either
legislative or administrative measures.
IL would also seem desirable that
the maximum tariff OF the United
States should embrace within It's pur-
view thr free list. which is mt the
case nt the present time. In order TINT
It might have reasonable Significance
10 the governments df those couririrs
from which the importatIons into tho
United States are confined virtually
to articles on the free list.
Record Of Highest Amount of FOREIGN
Trade.
The fiscal year ended June 80. 1911.
shows grent progress i'm the develop
inent of American trade. lt was note.
worthy as marking the highest record
Of exports of American products to
foreign countries. the valuation being
In excess of S2.O00.000000. These ex-
ports showed gain over the preced-
ing year of more than $300.000000.
Crying Need For American Merchant
Marine.
| need hardly reiterate the convic.
tion that there should speedily be built
up an American merchant marine. This
is necessary to assure favorable trans
portation facilities to our great ocean
borne commerce as well. as to supple
ment the navy with an adequate re.
serve Of ships and men. 1t would
have the economic advantage of keep.
Ing at home part of the vast sums now
paid foreign shipping for carrying
American goods. All the great com.
mercial nations pay heavy subsidies to
their merchant marine. so that II is
obvious TINT without some wise mid
from the congress the United States
must lag behind IN the matter OF mer-
chant marine in its present anomalous
position.
eNtension Of American Banking to For.
eign Countries.
Legislation to facilitate the extension
OF American banks to foreign countries
Is another matter in which our foreign
trade needs assistance
Improvement Of tho Foreign Service.
The entire foreign service orgnniza-
tion Is being improved and deyeloped
with especial regard to the require
ments Of the commercial interests OF
the country. The rapid growth OF our
foreign trade makes it of the utmost
Importance that governmental agen.
cies through which that trade Is to be
aided and protected should possess n
high degree Of efficiency. Not only
should the foreign representatives he
'-'''''''"fh'N upuh StHcIOuS scale III
SO Tar as salaries and establishments
are concerned. but the selection and
advancement Of officers should be def.
nitely and permanently regulated by
law 80 that the service shall not fail
TO attract men OF high character
and ability. *t 1t is my ear
nest conviction that tne enactment
into law OF the general principles of
the existing regulations cannot fail to
effect further improvement In both
branches Of the foreign service by pro.
viding greater inducement for young
men OF character and ability TO seek
a career abroad in the service of the
government and an incentive to those
already IN the service to put forth
greater efforts 10 attain the high
standards which the successful conduct
OF our international relations and
commerce requires.
I therefore again commend to the
favorable action Of the congress the
Enactment Of law applying 10 the
diplomatic and consular service the |
principles embodied IN section l7aa of
me rev sed stNtutes Of the United |