The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-07
DANGEROUS CHEAP GOODS,
The Threatened Japanese Manu-
featuring Invasion Dis
cuSSed.
WILL ASK CONGRESS TO ACT.
The Citizens Investigating Committee
Preparing Very Interesting
Report.
WILL ASK CONGRESS TO ACT.

The business men of the city do not
intend to overlook the danger that is
threatening the entire community through
the importation of cheap Japanese-made
| goods. THE CALL was among the first to
sound the alarm and warn the public of
the danger. The Manufac turers and Pro-
ducers' Association took up the matter in
earnest, fully realizing that the articles
made by japanese coolies would sooner or
later cause wholesale ruin among the man
ufacturers and laboring classes in this,coun-
| try.
| In order to face the situation and find
| what steps can be taken to avert the dan
ger before it is too late, the association
called upon the business men of the COM
munity to meet and discuss the question.
| Within short time a committee of ten
representative men was formed consisting
| of: Hugh Craig of the Chamber of Com
m cree, W. B. Curtis of the Traffic Associa-
| ton, Julian Sonntag and A. Sbarbaro of
| the Manufacturers and Producers Asso-
| citation, E. L. Fitzgerald the Labor Com
| missioner, and George H. Collier, W. T.
| Bowers, John Rutherford, Wakefield
| Baker and J. P. Currier, representing
manufacturing and business houses.
Yesterday this committee met, with the
exception of Mr.. Collier. Fred II. Dingie
| officiated as secretary. Mr.. Craig, the
chairman, read several news paper articles,
which showed that the price of labor in
Japan is so small that the products of all
labor can be sold anywhere in the world
at prices that will drive all manufacturing
and productive industries to the wall.
julian Sonntag made a suggestion that
| he has advanced before, by which the
| question may be made plain to all. He
favored asking Congress to appoint a
lc1N oil 0rY11 ffaa 70 70 In Il
make thorough investigation of cheap
Japanese labor, where the bulk of the
goods are sold. Those coming to the
United States should be traced to the final
| purchasers. In This way the full force OF
the danger can be learned and by the COM
mittee reported to Congress, where such
measures for safety and protection shall
be taken. Mr.. Sonntag called particular
attention to the fact that there are no
patent laws in Japan, and the United
Sta ties should do something in the way Of
protecting its inventors from the Japanese
He did not want the matter to be regarded
as political or tariff matter, but solely
in the interests OF protection.
Mr.. Curtis and Mr.. Fitzgerald agreed
with him with regard to the patent mat
ter, saying that the japanese can dupIi-
cate any American article cheaper than it
can be produced anywhere else in the
world. Nearly every one of the committee
could tell of articles that they had heard
of that bears out these statements. For
example, girls are paid about cents day
for making the various parts of a watch.
a watch that in the United States would
cost from $50 to S5G is made in Japan and
retailed at profit for IS and $40.
| j. Z. Carrier one of the committee on
Japan's supply of raw silk and other ma
terials, presented the following interesting
report:
Raw silk-From July l, 1895, to December
| ha ?
the port OF Yokohama. OF this amount S87415
bales were reshipped to the interior for home
tains an average OF $50 pounds, which is one
half the average size of export bales. Export
bales average 1888 pounds each.l
From July l. 1895 to December ID the total
exports OF raw silk from Yokohama was 81, 267
bales, or piculs, containing 1885 pounds,
against 81 1919 bales during the same period in
1894, and % ,673 bales during the same period
in 1898. OF the amount exported Euro pc
bought IA, 49, bales in 1895, 1865 in 1894
IA .495 IN 1898; The United States bought 49,
085 bales in 1898, 1904 in 1894 and 917S in
1888. Raw silk stock remaining unsold in
Yokohama on December IS, 1895, $685.
| bales
Leather-Until a comparatively recent date
Japan has been a purchaser and importer OF
leather. A considerable quantity OF leather
has in the past been shipped from San Fran
cisco TO Japan. At the present time there are
four large, extensive tanneries-tWo at Kobe
and two at Osaka. These tanneries are doing
a large and extensive business, and with
smaller tanneries throughout the country are
now supplying large amount OF the leather
| consumed.
From present indications the exports of
leather from this port to Japan are rapidly
| growing less and soon there will probably be
no demand Tor imported leather Two weeks
ago q representative from Yokohama, Japan,
was in this City and stated that ne had pur-
chased at retail samples OF all the latest de-
signs and novelties in fancy leather purses and
leather travelling bags, which he was going to
take TO Japan and duplicate. He stated mat
he was in position to duplicate anything in
1ldfh of 1T1pl1 1ncC
| this market.
Coal-In investigating the coal supply of
Japan am informed that we have nothing to
fear from that source. The principal steam
coal OF Japan is sold on board steamers in Yo-
kohama at from 81 to 81 so per ton, while sew
eral cargoes have been shipped TO the port of
San Francisco the cost when delivered at this
port has exceeded the cost of other Goals.
Mr.. Baker supplemented the report by
stating that the supply of Japan coal is
unlimited. While there is no fear Of the
Japs shipping this fuel, the supply for
manufacturing purposes there is a menace
to this country. The iron and copper re-
sources OF the country are also almost in
exhaustlble, but at present are undeyel-
oped, With the latter developed ana coal
so cheap, and skilled labor obtainable for
few cents day the outlook for this coun-
try in manufacturing lines isnot encour-
aging. There are number of firms in the
East who are shipping their plants to
Japan i'll order to get the benefit of chea n
labor that they may send back the manu-
featured goods and undersell competitors.
Mr.. Curtis spoke of nine carloads of Japan
made buttons that have been recently
sent East, and added that the Japs are
large purchasers Of bone and horn for this
industry.
Mr.. Bowers spoke of the dangers. arising
from Japanese cotton and rubber-made
goods. Ii the little brown man desires he
can rout all the Caucasian manufacturers
in the world in the productions of this
line.
Mr., Craig added that in 1896 there were