The morning call., 1894-01-15
FORTIFIED WINES.
Vineyardists Demand the Elimination
of Untoward Clauses of the
Wilson Bill.

Early in the week C. j. Wetmore, as
representing the yiticulturists of the State,
will leave for New York and Washington.
While the purpOrt of his visit East is to
further the interests OF the vineyardlsts of
this State generally, there are several
points Of specific interest which are being
agitated in connection with the Wilson
tariff bill.
Under the terms Of the Wilson bill an
ad valorem duty of 100 per cent is levied
On wines instead of the specific tax OF 90
cents per gallon which has hitherto OBJ
tanned. At first glance. particularly to
those unacquained with the intrcacies OF
the trade, an ad val0rem tax Of 100 per
cent would appear to be a sufficient safe
guard for the wine industry Of this country
and of California particularly. On closer
investigation such does not appear to be
the case. Upon being applied TO yesterday
relative TO this and other points at Issue,
Mr.. WetmOT6 said:
Just look how things are at present IN
France. The last vintage yielded 1,300, ,000,-
600 gallons of wine, which has forced the
growers to sell the surplus for what they
could get. Their cellars were full; the
cOoperage facilities were inadequate, and
ban kTuptCy of prices was the inevitable
result. TIE surplus stock has been sold
for 10 cents per gallon, and just as like
as not the man that purchased two pun
cheOns would nave a third thrown in for
good luck. This wine, though not ready
for consumption, Is ready for shipment,
and under the ad valorem rate would be
entered at New York as wine worth z
cents gallon, when in reality it would be
worth very much more, the special circum-
stances having compelled TO sell at such a
nominal figure. The following year wnen
ol nrrfn frNv IN Of sfafp
wines it Will be to find the Eastern I'M
poTters loaded down with this cheaply
purchased wine. OF necessity California
growers must suffer.
This is one illustration of the in njuslice
of applying an ad valorem tax to a product
that is so fuctuating in price. Further
more, what foreign Consul can certify to
the invoices presented to him? Wine NAV
be imported at ten cents a gallon that
really is worth fifty cents. Then, again,
when there is no surplus in the years
vintage wines of inferior and numerous
grades may be shipped. and it is absolutely
impossible for a Consul TO verify tie in
voice.
THE large and stable Eastern i'm
porters are with us in the demands we
are making, and 80 it is not a contest be-
tween California and the East. Let
France dispose of her surplus vintage the
same as we have to 90. California S
vintage this season was 10000, 900 gallons,
as compared with 100000 gallons last
year. Our growers have been caught as
the French growers were, but we object TO
having the surplus foisted upon this coun-
try under false pretense and our market
ruined.
Another matter that our Congressional
representatives will require to be posted
upon is the provisions of the Wilson bill
permitting the adulteration OF sweet wines
with sugar and alcoholic spirits. This
clause of the bill ought to be eliminated
In the East coDcoction of glucose, tartaric
acid and corn spirit with a small quantity
OF fruit juice IS termed wine, when it is
simply a manufactured compound into
which the juice of the grape does not
enter. We, IN this State, have the right 10
fortlfy pure sweet wines as a matter of
necessity, and Western growers do not
object to the small quantities of wine
made in the East being fortifed-as pro
vided for under the Mckinley act-with
California brandieS shipped in bond for
the purpose.
The raisin-growers of the State, too
want relief The greatest hardship they
have been lab0ri1g under has been the
hgurlng on the free list of currauts. The
II cents placed on raisinS was not applied
likewise to currants-which are simply
seedless grapes or raisins-through an over
sight This omission ought to be, and
doubtless will be, rectified."
Dir. Wetuore hopes to be able to leave
for New York on Tuesday. Then he will
confer with the representative of the
Nlne-dealers' Association of this State
and the leading importing firms as TO The
course Of action to be pursued. They are
as one on the several propositions ad-
vanced and after all necessary information
has been gathered Mr.. Wetmore will pro
ceed 20 Washington and advise with Rep
reSentatlves Mcguire and Caminetti, who
have already taken some action regarding
the elimination of the clause 10 the Wilson
bill permitting the aduiteration Of sweet
wines by Eastern manufacturers.