The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-11
The Manufacturers Wrestling
With the Cheap-Goods
Question.
MIR. sONNTAGs ABLE REPORT.
A Move Made to Call the Attention of
Congress to the Threatened
Danger.

The board Of directors of the Manu-
facturers and Producers Association YES
terday took up the matter of the dangers
arising from the importation of cheap
Japanese-made goods. At the last meet
ing Messrs. Sonntag, Saroni and Sproule
were appointed as a committee to confer
with the other commercial bodies of this
City and ascertain if it would be advisa Bile
to call mass-meeting to discuss the situa-
ton. If at the proposed meeting the sem
tlment was that the industries of this
coast and the United States were
threatened, petition should be sent
to Congress from the business men of this
City calling attention to the impending
danger and asking for Government relief.
The committee failed to carry out its
instructions because of difference of
opinion between Committeeman Sonntag
and Saronl. Mr.. Sproule was sick and un-
able to attend to the business. AS re-
suit of their differences of opinion the
two decided to present to the board per-
sonal reports upon the question. Mr..
Sonntag's report is as follows:
Referring to the matter of importation by
the united States of goods manufactured in
the japanese empire, would say that the
press OF this State has taken the matter up
voted TO 1t pro and con.
l desire TO particularly dwell upon an article
published in THE CALL, December 8, written
by prominent citizen OF this commonwealth
in which was stated that s'the japanese were
not original but were initiative, and referred
10 the last war between Japan and China,
where the tactics pursued by Japan were those
employed in Germany" That Germany to-day
is recognized as being the most thoroughly
equipped nation for warfare in the world is
conceded by the highest military authorities,
md a To n f,,I1 al fun tn or
ton, and by employing German natives
they conquered Their navy is modern
as far as their vessels go. They, have
only within the past fifteen years adopted
laws of modern civilization, and what is the
record Astounding. The article further stated
that Il nation inferior in thought and educa-
ton could never compete with the civilized
nations OF the world.
say it is only aQuestion of few years when
Japan will be recognized as one OF the power
ful nations Of the earth, and her force will be
felt. II Is said that they are nation OF only
10000, 900 souls; that the machinery within
the United States and England is equal to $780,
1000 people. This statement is appalling.
What is TO become of the American workman
with such figures staring him in the face. and
the little brown man to contend against? l
could go on with this subject great deal
longer and enter into Details but / do not
deem it necessary, for do believe, my fellow
directors that you see the necessity for prompt
acton on our part, and would suggest that
committee of two be appointed from
from the Chamber of Commerce with view of
holding a mass-meetirg in this City before
February l, 1896, to present to the Congress OF
the United States petition to have Congress
appoint q commission 70 fully investigate this
Japanese question, both as to manufacture and
immigration, and urge our delegation in the
United States Senate and House OF Representa-
tives to frame a bill covering the provisions in
corporated within the petition and have this
commission report its conclusions to the pres
ent Congress or the one TO convene in Decem-
in ~ n
this evil; and. in conclusion, firmly say that
it is the duty of this association to take the in
/ tiative in this movement.
Mr.. Saronis report was in substance
that he is opposed 10 the association tax
ing up the anti-Japanese cheap goods
movement, as it is foreign to the objects
for which the association was organized.
1t is q matter. he maintains, that properly
belongs to the United States Congress, and
he added that the members of the associa-
ton cannot afford to enter into the tariff
questions. Among other points he made
was that the exclusion of japanese goods
from these ports would result in reaction
and the exclusion of American goods from
Japan. Mr.. Saroni's main protest was
that the question is outside Of the scope of
the objects of the association.
Mr.. Sonntag, in reply, stated that it is
not matter OF tariff, and that this ques
lion comes directly within the scope OF the
hdHUIaCltiFeTS ASSpCiallOil 1lueS. Jdpdll-
csc manufacturers are sending agents to
every city in the United States who sell
hundreds Of thousands of dollars worth of
CHEAP goods which come il most direct
petition with American-made goods.
Such q competition the American laboring
classes cannot stand. especially when
japanese laborers earn only - 81 and So a
month. He believes that the association
should go into governmental matters
when the occasion demands.
Saroni endeayored to carry the point he
had MADE by introducing resolution that
the matter does not properly come before
the association, but he was not successful
Mr.. Sbarboro moved that the committee
be discharged because it had not per-
formed the duties for which it was APP
pointed, by endeavoring to learn whether
or not the other commercial bodies desire
a mass-meeting held for the discussion OF
the question. and upon taking a vote his
motion prevailed.
Director Mclaughlin stated that while
he recognizes the dangers ensuing from
this class of imported goods, there is an
other point to consider. The United
States cannot discriminate between ma
tons who manufacture cheap goods sim
ply because one nation makes articles
cheaper than another. To shut out cheap
Japanese made goods means that the line
must be lmpartially drawn upon other
countries whose cheap productions enter
into. competition with American-made
goods.
After considerabl BILE wandering argument
being INDUCED in it was decided, at the
suggestion of Director Sonntag. that the
secretary should be directed to send a let
ter to the president OF the Chamber of
Commerce requesting that he appoint
com mlttee of three to confer with like
com mittee from the association. The con-
ference OF the six would be to discuss
whether or not it would be advisa BILE to
call the attention of Congress to the COM
petition with Japan
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