Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-17

thirty years OF continuous prOtectlOn.
great many parties interested in these
industries have declared that the slight
est reduction of the duty would compel
them to close their works and discharge
the employees; and others have even
gone so far as to assert that they would
be forced to 60 out of business if the
rates OF taxation are not increased. At
the same time the laborers in those in
dustries are complaining of insufficient
wages, repeated SUSPENSIONS of work and
general condition of uncertainty.
These laborers, fully realizing the fact
that this system has wholly failed to in
crease their earnings or improve their
condition in any way, have been com
PEELED to organize trades unions and re-
sort to other methods of combination
and cooperation for self-protection and
these various organizations now afford
the only efficient means at their COM
mand for the preservation even OF the
existing rates of wages"
The report states that the remedy
proposed by the majority is the imposi-
ton OF more taxes upon every article OF
foreign origin which the people OF this
country desire to buy, and for which
they are ready and anxious to exchange
the cotton which they cannot spin, the
corn and wheat they cannot consume,
the Oil they cannot burn, and many
other products.
Let the Majority Explain.
The majority bill is framed upon the
assumption that as our industries grow
older they grow weaker, and more de-
pendent upon the bounty of the Govern
ment. 1t devolves upon those advocates
now to explain, if they can, why it is
that after the low tariff policy has been
abandoned more than a quarter OF
century, and the high tariff policy sub
stituted in its place, the manufacturing
| and mechanical Industries of the coun-
try are less able to maintain themselves
than they were when the change was
made; and when this is done, it will
still remain for them to show upon what
can be periodically subjected to addi-
tional taxation for the exclusive benefit
of private business enterprises.
Pertinent Criticisms.
The silk bounty is severely criticised.
The report says the bill will increase
the taxes on woods and woolens $15, $780,
900 per annum, according to last years
importations, but really to much
greater sum, while taxes on tobacco to
the amount of $8,S60,994 are abolished.
The minority cannot agree to do this at
the price OF an increase on necessaries.
The report attacks some of the details
of the bill. Among other things it says
one grade of coarse cheap blankets will
be required to pay 106 per cent, but the
finest blankets pay 72 per cent; the
cOarsest and cheapest woolen hats will
be subject to duty of Ill per cent, and
the finest to 66 per cent. women's and
children's cheapest dress goods, with
cotton warp, are to be taxed
ITO per cent, and the finest n
per cent, the lowest grade of woolen
clothes will pay 125 per cent, and the
highest grade Sc per cent, etc.
! On the metal schedules the report says
there are many increases and scarcely
any reductions. The report says: "We
have long time been endeavoring to
increase our trade with the people of
Central and South America and Mexico,
and an international conference is now
being held to devise means for the ac-
complishment of this result In the
midst of its consultations, and when it
was earnestly hoped that some practical
plan might be agreed upon for the estab-
| lishment of closer commercial relations,
this bill is reported, containing provis-
ions which will not only retard recipro-
cal arrangements for the future, but will
destroy the larger part OF the trade now
existing.
Numerous Absurdities.
"The bill proposes to make large in
crease on the duties on carpet woods, and
suject lead contained in silver ores to
duty, not because we need revenue, but
for the sole purpose OF preventing these
articles from being imported into the
country"
Speaking of the wool schedule, the re-
port says: ''These increases are made
principally upon the demand of a few
large f1ock-masters in the State of Ohio,
and are defended by the majority upon
the alleged ground that they are bene-
fetal to the farmers of the country who
keep sheep. The fact is wool is one of
our least important agricultural products
in point of actual value, and by compari-
son with Others"
Speaking of other duties imposed on
agricultural products, the minority says:
'It is impossible to protect the farmer
against foreign competition, and the in
sertion or retention of these articles in
| tuO 4dIIA Ulll3 10 d ucNlCc WHICH, WILL OC-
ceive no one who gives moments
thought to the subject. During the last
fiscal year we exported 69,592,9 1929
bushels of corn, and imported only 1888
bushels"
The same proposition is quoted
on wheat and cornmeal and
the minority adds: "This showsMow
futile it is to attempt to afford protec-
ton to farmers by imposing duties upon
the importations of these products, and
this large and intelligent class OF citi-
zens cannot be reconciled in this way to
policy which increases the taxes upon
their clothing, tableware carpets,
earthenware, glassware, agricultural i'm
plements and other necessary articles. :"
How Are the Farmers to Be Helped?
The minority asks how the farmers
are to be helped by an increased duty
on the rods used in the manufacture of
fencing wire, and iron or steel for hoops
or ties for baling purposes, and says if
the bill passes the farmers will be the
first to demand the restoration Of the
old rates or an abolition of the duty.
While the imposition of duties on live
animals and other agricultural products
oonpO< ,,ooo,h1xy do tbo f,,,,,o o,, o,,v OOOI