The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-27

least five times greater than it is under similar
conditions in England. 1 am not able to quote any
authority OF corresponding weight on relative totals
OF the other branches of taxation, but can give
Inany instances of public expenditure that are I'M
necessary and preiudeiai, such as the payment OF
salaries to City couDselors. County supervisors,
mem bers of the Legislature and Of Congress- whose
duties are better discharged gratuitousy ana by a
superior class representatives in other countries
Equally Objectionable in principle is our runous
and superfuous expenditure on so-called free
education, which train our people from childhood
10 rely on the assistance of the Government, en-
courages expectations that are bound TO be dsap-
pointed. and thus become fruitful parent OF out
rage and crime of every description. Every charge
OF this adds to the cost of production and SO
far handicaps US in the industrial field The abo-
ton of radical retrenchmentof such charges APP
pears therefore, very proper subject Tor the CON
slderation of your association. have heard OF no
argument for free education that does not tell
even more strongly in favor Of free food clothing
and lodging, which. in my opinion therefore. Should
only be provided at the public expense in common
with these others for the criminal and incapable
The attention of your association might be also
very usefully directed the restriction of credit
necessitated by the laws OF the State Affecting the
recovery of debts. AS the law now stands 1t IS
next to impossible to be of the recovery of
any debt unless trebly secured by mortgage from
person of unquestionable wealth: and even then
ii may require years to accomplish. In all trans
actions involving credit, that is probably 80 out
OF 100 an extra profit of interest is charged, and
therefore is to be added to cover risk of non-recov
cry, which constitutes another handicap upon
industrial success. If we look further in the same
direction and find that in recent experience
the most solemnly enacted laws are under exist
ments made under their protection to confscatlon
we shall not wonder much that the rate of
interest here is well nigh prohbtory, as that any
one should be found willing TO make an investment
with us on any terms. And the rate of interest
advanced under all these influences is double by
Eastern and treble the European rate, and is we
know, an essential controlling part of the cost Of
production.
We have had, furthermore, in progress among
US for many years past an agitation designed to
accomplish through National legislation degra-
dation, reaching to so per cent or more, Of the
standard of obligation, the effect Of which has
been to paralyZe industry. to expel capital and to
reduce the National Government TO a condition OF
humiliation, financial dependence, absolutely
threatening to its stability.
do not understand that your association is tax.
ing action toward the defeat OF this agitation, and
yet don't know of any more proper or germane to
its objects
These weighty questions and your associa-
ton may be of the opinion that they are beyond its
scope In that case ii appears that am hopelesSy
at variance with it. believe on the contrary that
such associations as yours are eminently fitted and
in duty bound to handle these questions since this
cannot be expected of the legal and official ele-
ment and the laborng class is not possessed OF the
requisite knowledge or experience. / believe also
that only by vigorously and courageously dealing
with these issues our industrial efficiency be
raised to its proper ana natural standard. I re-
j. j. MENzIEs.