The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-17
CALIFORNIA AND PROTECTION.

California has the essentials of indus
trial greatness-of industrial independ-
ence we might say. Wheat, wool and
dairy products probably will continue to
lead all other industries in importance,
but fruit, tobacco and the many other
staples are needed to round out the States
industrial possibilities, and they should
be fostered quite as much as those articles
of commerce which lead in volume and
value. California is so situated geographic
cally and the topography of the country is
of such character that it could become
an empire within its own borders. But
the geographical relation of the State to
other countries is so advantageous that
our commercial empire should reach for
and wide in all directions. We could
manufacture many of the leading articles
of interstate and International trade, and
at the same time be large purchaser Of
such commodities OF other countries as do
not justify production here, but some
thing-a good deal-has to be done before
the crust OF the States possibilities is
much more than broken.
In the first place California cannot hope
to have that degree of industrial develop
ment which nature designed she should
have until capital is assured by proper
and lasting tariff legislation that it will
not be subjected to spasmodic changes in
import duties, with a continual threat of
free trade. When that is secured, when
capital can feel safe to calculate upon per-
manent Investment, whatever is in sufh-
cient quantity or can be increased to q
sufhciency to justify the erection of in
dustrial plants to turn out finished prod
ucts will be taken up, and money
will be found to be ready to COM
mence the work and carry it forward.
There are rare opportunities in California,
or would be under adequate protection, TO
establish wooden factories equal to the
best of any country; but sheep are neces-
sary 10 woolen.mill, and unless sheep
raising is protected against hurtful for
eign competition capital Will not venture
in the business. The fruit industry of
California inherits from nature, we might
say, possibilities that are almost limit
less. There would be no end to the va
riety of the products of our fruit nor q
reason why they should not be found in
every market in the world If the needed
National legislation could be had.
The tobacco of California is superior in
quality and the soil is such that q salts
factory yield could be counted upon every
year, but to give that industry the magni-
tude it should have there needs to be a
guard standing at our coast towns to see
that foreign tobacco-growers do not fill
our markets with their pauper labor prod
uct. But it is not worth the while to
particularize. Every commercial interest
of California will continue in dwarfed
condition, nor need healthy growth be ex-
pected until there are assurances that
when capital undertakes to develop the
vast resources of the State ana transform
raw material into finished product it will
be protected from onslaught by com petit
tors who go upon the principle that q
wageman Is simply a cog in wheel.
possessing no rights in political or social
way that his employer need respect.
When protection becomes fixed principle
of the Government. and 20 tinker with it
would be considered an attack upon the
rights of the people, will California be
transformed into a mighty industrial
country,