The record-union., 1895-05-17
Important Meeting of Business
Men at San Francisco.
LUBINS PLAN BROUGHT BEFORE
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Resolutions Adopted PIedginR the
Efforts of That Body to the Further
ance of Union Between Shipping
and Agricultural Interests in an
Endeayor to Secure Equitable Pro.
lection for Both at the Hands of
the Government.
Special to the REcoRD-UsIos.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN
SAN Francisco, Nay 16.-The Cham
ber OF Commerce was well filled this
afternoon with merchants who consider
that bounty on exports of agricultural
staples and a tonnage bounty or differ
ential duty in favor of American ship
ping are vital issues of the day. About
100 representative business men listened
to an interesting discussion for three
hours on the necessity Of affording pro-
tection to the industries named.
The meeting was called to order at 1:3O
o'clock by Hugh Craig, who stated that
President w. II. Dimond was unavoid-
ably detained elsewhere.
A letter was received from A. P. Roach
of Watsonville, stating that he was un-
able to attend the meeting in person. but
that he was there lin spirit"
II deeply regret my inability to be
present." wrote he ''as the most pro-
found interest now centers on the propo-
sition you are about TO discuss, because
of its far-reaching mag nitude and the
multiplicity of beneficial effects its
speedy adoption and practical enactment
into laws would observe. Our
merchant marine has lost its former pres
tige and our flag has well nigh been
driven from the seas through various
removable causes, chiefest OF which was
unfriendly legislation. l fully know the
ills by which agriculture is beser, and
it yours even remotely approach ours 1t
cannot fail to produce bond OF union
which should unite both industries 10
ceaseless effort in the direction of
emancipation, which efforts should never
be relaxed till the same measure OF justice
and equality before the law is vouchsafed
to US as that enjoyed by all other pro-
tected industries"
The first matter considered was the fol-
lowing resolution, offered by David
Lubin of Sacramento:
"WHEREAs, Agricultural staples being
exported cannot be protected by tariff
on imports as are manufactures; and
whereas, American ships in the foreign
trade being built of protected material
and under protection wages are al q dis
advantage in the worlds competition
with ships constructed and operated in
cheap labor or free trade countries. such
disadvantage being beyond the reach OF
protection by tariff on imports. There
fore be it
..Resotued, By the Chamber of Com
merce of San Francisco that the depressed
condition of the staple agricultural and
shipping interests demand the enact
ment of such legislation as Will put both
these great industries upon footing of
equality with those now especially fos-
tered by the Government. BE it further
''ReSotUed, That since neither of the two
great unprotected industries can derive
any benefit from tariff on imports, we
call upon Congress to squalize the prtOec-
tion system by extending to agricultural
staples and American shipping that just
measure of protection which they are en-
titled to, as long as protection is the con-
trolling and public policy OF this nation,
and that this be done by an export
bounty on the staples of agriculture, and
to American shipping in the foreign
trade either by bounty on tonnage or
diflerential duty which shall discrimin-
ate in favor of American against foreign
ships, all to the end that restoration
may be brought about of our merchant
Inarine and that the independent, land
owning farmers OF the nation may not be
driven into bankruptcy and ruin by the
competition of the cheap land and labor
countries of the world. Be it further
''ResolUed, That the efforts of the Cham
ber of Commerce be pledged to the
furtherance of a union between the ship
ping and agricultural interests in an en-
deavor to secure equitable protection Tor
both at the hands of the Government"
LuDlu SPOKE NJ upon tu6
benefcent effect upon industries of every
description OF a protective tariff. He
maintained that without tariff upon
foreign goods American labor and indus
tries must necessarily be reduced to the
same level as those Of foreign countries.
I'VE are now selling staple products"
said he, s'in competition with the worlds
price. If there are two Industries in
America and only one protected IL neces-
sarily follows that the one which lacks
protection must suffer. Let US protect
our agricultural staples. for in doing so
we will insure the prosperity OF the
farmer. / venture the statement that in
the light of many recent statistics none OF
the advocates of free trade in former years
would now jump into the breach and put
their principles into practice, even if they
had the power. Look at the financial de-
preston and its result. Labor walking
about seeking in vain an opportunity OF
exercising itselfin the Improvement of our
Nation. Capital stands in the background,
fearing to invest funds because they
lacked confidence in she stability of pro-
posed investments. 1t is distressing
state Of affairs"
Mr.. Lubin spoke of the effect of intro
ducing agricultural machinery in foreign
countries, which further reduced wages
where they were already ridiculously
low.
This served to affect the worlds price
for agricultural staples, and we of Cali
fornia must meet them. or hold our
goods. Mr.. Lubin's address was quite
eloquent and practical and was frequent
ly interrupted by applause.
He was followed by Captain Nelson,
who spoke on the protection which
should be given American shipping.
Colonel John z. Irish defended the
principle of free trade. He stated that he
agreed with many features of the argu-
ment advanced by Mr.. Lubin. He de-
sired to know if the placing of q bounty
on agricultural staples did not constitute
tax on the American taxpayer. The
question, in Mr.. Irish's judgment. was
one simply of supply and demand. Too
great u supply, with too little demand.
necessarily cheapened the price of prod
ucts. He felt that Mr.. Lubin's theory
was wrong, because it advocated legisla-
ton in favor of one class at the cost of
another.
Several speakers then took the floor.
including Mr.. Lubin, who delivered a
striking reply to the arguments ad
vanced by Colonel Irish.
The Chamber of Commerce indorsed
Mr.. Lubin's plan.
PRESBYTERIANS