The record-union., 1896-12-02

many important things to be looked
after, which can be done only by proper
The body should meet
at least once a year and consider mat
ters of Importance to all growers.
In regard to the demand to be made
on the present Congress for protection
against the foreign product, Mr.. Arm
strong said he would volunteer his own
services and if desired would attend to
the matter before Congress. He was
In Congress when the Wilson-Gorman
tariff bill was before that body. and
he then realized the necessity Of hav-
Ing some one there to look after the in
terests Of the almond industry-some-
one who would have authority to take
definite action in the matter. He was
confident they could have had a duty
Of five cents per pound included in the
present law, instead Of three, if the al
mond growers had had accredited ad-
vocates on the ground.
GOING BACKWARD.
Mr.. Armstrong then presented some
figures to show how Congress had ret
regarded of late years in the matter Of
protecting an important home industry.
Under the tariff of 1912, he said-long
before any almonds We're produced in
this country-the duty on the imported
product was three cents per pound. In
1861 it was increased to four cents,
and in 1890 to five cents, but
the Wilson German bill, now In
force, reduced the duty to three cents,
putting it away back to where it was
in 1S42, despite the fact that last year
about 100000 pounds were raised in
this State.
After Californians had enabled con-
sumers to get their almonds forty per
cent. cheaper than they could get them
when the markets contained only the
imported product, Congress had done
them the injustice Of putting the duty
on the imported nuts down to three
cents, where it was in 1912. This was
wrong that should be righted. He be-
lieved that if the matter were properly
represented to Congress that body
would give the almond growers the pro-
lection they require-at least five or
six-cent duty-and one-half cheaper to
the consumers than if the California
growers We're forced out of the busi
ness.
At this juncture the Committee on
Memorial returned to the convention
and Chairman Plaisted submitted its
report, which was as follows:
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.
To the honorable the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress as
sembled:
Your memoriahsts, the almond grow
az Of Ca Ijforpia in Ctota convention
sembled at Sacramento this 1st day of
December, 1896, most respectfully rep
resent:
First-That the almond-growers Of
California employ thousands of labor
ers; that they have invested over $10,-
100000 in this great industry; that by
so doing they have placed this product
and luxury in the hands of the consum-
er at less than 40 per cent. of its former
price, and that the continuance and sue
cess of this enterprise is Of the greatest
importance, not only to California but
the nation.
Second-Your memorialists further
represent that owing to the great COM
petition of foreign grown almonds, pro-
duced by a low rate of wages and the
existing low tariff on imported almonds,
it is impossible to continue this industry
without great loss. There is scarcely
an almond-growe Of this State, out of
the hundreds engaged in the business,
who has made the slightest percentage
Of profit since the foreign producers
have reduced prices in order to hold
their trade against our home produc-
tion. The almond-growers have not
,A,giyr 1nfn n1 1aiv~ 1,.c;
profit but for years it has been done at
a severe loss.
Third-Their business will continue to
be conducted at a loss until the tariff
on imported almonds is revised to meet
the exigencies of the case. Over 5000
acres Of almond orchards are now grow
ing in this State. Not only thousands of
laborers are employed in the cultivation
of these orchards, year in and year out,
but tens Of thousands are dependent for
their support on the earnings Of men,
women and children who are employed
during the almond harvest.
Fourth-That there is no other Ameri-
can industry SO justly entitled to a high
protective tariff as this product
Fifth-Your memorialists therefore
respectfully request that the tariff on
almonds be revised and a rate Of duty
fixed at not less than six cents per pound
for unshelled, and ten cents for shelled
almonds, which will fairly enable the
American almond grower to compete in
our home market with foreign almonds
produced on cheap land by cheap la
Dor, and brought TO our shores at low
rate Of transportation.
Jiyfh h "a of l,,+xy
absolutely necessary, without which the
American growers cannot hope to COM
pete.
On motion Of H. Methyen Of Contra
Costa, the report of the committee was
adopted.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
George w. Pierce of Solano offered
the following resolutions which were
also adopted:
Whereas, The fruit growers Of Cali
fornia are now in convention assem-
bled. and among other things they are
proposing revision of the tariff on CAL
ifornia fruits and nut products, espe-
cially prunes, oranges, lemons. nuts,
olives, olive oil and raisins;
Whereas, The almond-grower now
assembled are largely interested in the
growing Of these products in addition
&c almonds; and
Whereas, We fully recognize the i'm
pcrtance OF a revision of the tariff on
these products is absolutely necessary
for the welfare Of not only these grow
ers but the State and nation; therefore
be Il
Resolved, That we heartily ratify
and approve Of the proposed action of
the fruit growers Of tho C+o+o - ~,