The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-14

visitors as well. The attendance during
the afternoon and evening was as large as
that of any other day of the present week,
and those of the exhibitors who have their
wares for sale reported an increased ac-
tlvlty in business, which furnishes a
plausible explanation for the manifest de-
sire to continue the fair another week.
The feature of the week was the banquet
given by the board of directors of the in
stitute last night to members OF the Manu-
facturers' and Producers Association.
Plates were laid for twenty-five in the
room ad Joining the secretary's office, and
the affair passed off with great enthusiasm.
President A. S. Hallidie was the presid-
ing host and acted as toast master. Adj
dresses were made by the following: A.
S. Hallidie, toast, 1.-The Manufacturers
and Producers Association OF California"
Julian Sontag, toast, California Under
Diversified Industries; ]. Leggett, toast,
Reciprocity at Home; Louis Saroni,
toast, California Homes and California
Industries; Richard ?. Doolan, toast,
'Industrialism Essential to the Growth of
the State; NJ. McGlynn, toast, Manu-
facturers' and Producers Association.
All the addresses were well received.
That of Trustee Leggett was particularly
pertinent and caused much favorable COM
ment. He spoke in substance as follows:
l.
enterprises and earnestly desire to see San
Francisco become great and prosper
GUS manufacturing city. And believe know
how to attain that desirable end. An ancient
Greek of some note is reported to have said
something to this effect: al do not know how
to play on any wind instrument, but / do
know how to make great city out OF small
village"
Now, do not know how to run any manu-
factory, and yet / am confident know how
out of this stunted and paralyzed town to
oaf11 riry 0fal
city. This can be done only by fostering and
encouraging manufacturers.
Different methods OF encouraging manufac-
turers have been proposed and tried. One OF
these is to enact tariff laws and to give boun-
ties; another is to appeal TO local pride and
patriotism to induce consumers of manufac-
tured products to purchase ana use articles OF
home manufacture in preference to those of
foreign manufacture. An objection to the first
method is that the mass of consumers are like
ly to weary of being taxed for the benefit of
others without receiving any commensurate
advantage for themselves. And besides the
effects of such taxation is to make the mass of
consumers less able TO purchase the manufac-
tured products.
The dificulty with the second method is that
it is too great strain on human nature. 1t is
a human falling to desire to buv the article
that suits us at the lowest price we can obtain
it for, and while we may, under the influence
of strong appeals TO our feelings, for time con-
sent to buy and use articles of home manufac-
ture and production, even though we have to
of this particular kind OF well doing. These
facts may be regretted, but they are facts of
human nature which must be taken into ac-
count.
There is another method of encouraging
manufactures which is open TO none of the OBJ
jections urged against the two other methods
l have mentioned. REFER 10 the method of
exempting from taxation the machinery, raw
material and finished product OF the manufac-
turer as well as the capital devoted by him to
the carrying on of his business. This method
,,1lo laxu of a
wolves no abnegation of the laws OF human ma
ture. 1t is no novel or untried scheme, for it
has been tested at various times and places,
for limited periods, with the most satisfactory
results Several of the Southern States have,
since the close of the War of the Rebellion,
adopted the policy of eXempting from taxation
for a limited period the plant and product OF
case been beneficial. But why should such eI-
emption be limited as to duration? Ii this
policy has proved effectual In establishing
manufactures, why should it not be perma-
nently pursued in maintaining them in health
and vigor? 1t can work no possible harm or
injury to others.
Ii our manufacturers were wholly exempted
from taxation on their capital, plant and
product they could undoubtedly compete sue
cessfully with all the world. The effect of all
restrictions on production and exchange is to
lessen the ability of the consumer to purchase.
But the removal of restrictions and burdens
upon production has contrary effect. Manu-
facturers are now taxed between 2 and per
cent on their capital plant and product The
removal OF this burden would speedily revive
our waning industries and place our home
manufacturers upon secure and enduring
basis of prosperity.
believe the time is ripe for such change
in our fiscal system. Intelligent people begin
to perceive the folly of hampering industry
and obstructing the production OF the things
necessary to the supply OF human wants And
if this be true we cannot begin the struggle
TO attain it too soon. Remove from the shout
ders OF our manufactures the tax burdens