The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-14

increased. We want the faisin, prune,
almo and walnut let alone. We want to
be able to produce our fruits here and to
land them in New York so that they shall
be exactly on the same footing as the pro-
ducts from Mediterranean ports. We want
nothing more. We simply want a tariff
duty to eQualize products in the Atlantic
seabOard cities.
Il have been interested in producing
olive oil for many years. | would like to
be IDLE to place my olive oil in New York.
having incurred in doing so the same ex-
pense as that of the European producers.
1t should be the same with our raisins,
figs and citrus fruits. We want to con-
slider thu needs of apples, raisins, prunes.
figs, oranges. lemons, lines. almonds. wal
nuts and olive products"
Mr. Cooper's remarks were greeted with
loud applause.
recess was taken until P. NJ to en-
able the following committee to report
programme for the afternoons delibera-
tions: EiIwoOd Cooper, A. L. Hatch, X. G.
Kells. }. Fl. Thomas. j. l.. Rowland,
W. c. Hammond, f. A. Kimball, j. T.
Bogue, F. L. Owen and William Johnston.
The afternoon was passed in the dis
cussion Of topics assigned to the several
speakers, who gave their views in regard
to the tariff needs OF special branches of
fruit culture.
Mr.. Cooper opened the discussion. his
special topic being the olive. He said the
black scale was the bane of the California
olive-grOwers. It's rapid spread and in
crease had not only retarded the growth
of the trees but had also impaired their
fruit-bearin0 powers. The cost Of picking,
drying. manufacturing the oil and boiling
it was very heavy. Even with the induce
ment of paying dealers the cost of the
freight on the first shipment foreign deal
ers were able to undersell the California
producers one-half. He could not afford
to sell his olive-oil for less than S12 case.
The Spanish oil. which did not begin to
approach it in purity, was placed on the
market at 81 case. The freight from
San Francisco to New York was ST. case
more than the rates from Mediterranean
countries. The cost for labor abels and
corks was much higher in California. Even
with the old tariff Of 81 gallon our pro-
ducers were not on an equal footing with
European producers.
'All the warmer interior counties in
this State were capable of producing olive
oil, but there was no inducement to en-
gage in the business. The Mckinley bill
reduced the tariff on olive Oil from 81 to
35 cents gallon. If the rate were raised
to 81 40 or 81 30 California producers
would be placed on an equal footing with
were admitted free. California growers
cannot afford to ship them. A duty of 30
cents gallon would give them chance.
F. A. Kimball of National City spoke for
the citrus fruit interest He demanded a
protective tariff to meet the foreigner and
his cheap labor. He closed by promising
to prerare statement in writing.
B. M. Lelong was heard on behalf of the
fig industry. He claimed that the tariff
should not be lowered. 1t was now 2R
cen Is pound. Ten years ago very few
figs were raised In this State. The first
shipment to New York was made four
years ago. They were white figs. packed
in bags, and brought cents pound at
auction. The expenses represented by
commissions, freight. ETC., after being de-
Quoted in the account sales, left very little
for the grower .
The California producer receives less at
cents a pound than his foreign Compel
itor received at half that price when the
wages paid in Asia are considered to-
gether with the foreigners lower rates of
freight. The freight from California To
New York was ten tim es greater than the
freight rates from the Mediterranean. The
California production Of figs was not
extensive.
Mr.. Maslin suggested that absolute free
trade was not wise. The pauper labor of
Smyrna was, however, more than Offset by
the deftness and skill OF California
growers.
j. l.. Mosher advocated the cultivation
OF only the choicest fruit and the mos,
careful packing. In this way fancy prices
could be obtained. The trees in Asia,
though planted in poorer soil. produced
heavier crops because they were Older.
Mr.. Holman of the Pacific Press OBJ
jected t. Mr.. MasIin's statement that tar.
IFS did not affect prices.
The remark was followed by such an
outbursl of applause that Mr.. M~sIin rosa
to explain that he did not intend to speak
on the tariff question.
A. L. Hatch had nuts for his theme. He
said that California could not compete
with Eurore II lower tariff was adopted
With The praaant duties Q fairly profitable