The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-26
Growth OF Imports.

nat has caused this increase in Japa-
nese inportations Of sikh
To begin with" said Mr. Richardson. IT
honestly think that we have in the past
treated the Japanese with altogether too
nospiSaole confidence. The japanese are
Asiatlc Yankees. They are as sharp as
the keenest OF our own people Years ago.
when the Japs began to send US students
TO our colleges and other visitors. we re-
ceived them with open arms Their recep-
tiveness was wonderful. They speedily
learned TO think and speak in our language
as well as in their own They looked upon
our arts and manufactures with open eyes
Nothing was concealed from them. 1t is
true that We have acquired from them in
turn some artistic benefits. but these do
not begin to equal the Industrial education
We have given them These Japanese Wis
f'ors have been going about our country
as cnlel amang We takin' notes. always
with book and pencil in hand. The doors
OF our mills and factories have been open
10 them, where they might have been
closed to British or Continental visitors.
Nothing escaped them. The result Is that
today the looms of Japan are running to
their utmost capacity and more looms are
osiered by them from England. while 10
per cent. of our silk looms stand idle. 1t is
literally true that the very existence of
our SIX industry is threatened by Japa-
nese competition
Measures Of Defense.
asked Mr.. Richardson whether any,
thing could be done to avert this threat
ened destruction of an American Industry,
which before the present Democratic adj
ministration employed s5.ooe people.
We are going TO examine the Japanese
Industrial system, somewhat as they have
learned AMI profitei by our own" he re-
phed we are going to get a. the bot
tom facts about Japan's silk trade. if We
can A gentleman amply qualified Is now
IN Japan. making this Investigation for u.s.
We expect to learn the number Of silk
looms now at work in that country, both
hand and power looms. We think that
we shall be able to show that prison la
Dor enters into this product. We expect
TO receive detailed report as to the wages
paid to different classes of Japanese labor.
and as TO their social condition We want
information also as to the practices OF
foreign consulates in Japan as to passing
invoices. We also wish to know Just how
easy IL is to procure affidayits from ma
tires there and what 1t Is necessary to pay
for them
DO you find any competition from Jap
anese silks coming to this country by way
OF Europer'
Certainly We do. The Japs make light
SILK fabrics which may be called only
partly manufactured. These fabrics are
sent to Europe, and there can be printed
and dyed as well as here. 1 think that
this one fact shows the impossibility Of
rescuinS our industry by dropping to a
silver standard of currency Suppose we
did that We might, in theory, shut one
door against the Orient. but japan would
still continue to send her haif-fin.shed pro-
duct to the gold standard countries of Eu-
rope. and We would continue to import
them by that route. No. the proposed sill
yer standard Is not our remedy. 1t is true
tnat the SILK schedule OF our present tariff
law Is almost wholly ad valorem. The
value OF goods upon which duties are
levied Is assessed upon a silver basis
Moreover undervaluations are frequent.
SO far ms know" continued Mr.. Rich
ardson. all the members q the SILK AS
sociation OF America are protectiopists.
ina,. assume. means that they are Re-
puoiicans. II is safe. think to say that
they believe in maintaining our gold
standard OF currency. The first thing to
do. as Mr. Dobson says. Is to elect a Re-
publican president and a congress con-
trolied by protectionists in both branches.
Then We shall be able to take care OF our
selves and 10 save our industry and all
rs wage-earners. present ard future. by n
combination OF specific and ad yalorem
duties"
Threat From France.
Mr.. Richardson here called attention, e.
real piece OF news, showing that the
SILK industry of the United States ia
Forced TO face danger across the Allan
nc as well as across the Pacific A ur;
vate cahlegram from the senior member
or Broome street silk firm who is now
IN Paris. announces that the French silk
manufacturers are urging their governs
ment TO declare bounty on silks expor.
ed 10 the United States. They have even
prepared bill which NJ Meline. who fs
the Mckinley OF France. is about TO urge
upon the chamber of deputies. of yhIc,s
he Is president. as well as chairman Of
its tariff committee. II is said tina. this
bill has been adopted by a caucus Of the
n aJority party of the chamber and thar
May II has been fixed as the date for it's !
passage. This bill. should II become a
law. would grant an export premium OF /,
at least 10 per cent. on Frances entire |
expectation on silk goods which would |
amount to an equal reduction OF our tar
IN on the same goods.
Mr.. Richardson says that the silk MANN
facturers of this country will bitterly |
oppose such action by the French pariIa- |
ment. and will appeal 10 congress for
aid
Invaded thus by Japan and threatened /
thus by France. ID Is not surprising that.
with 70 per cent. Of SEQ employees al /
ready out OF work. the silk industry of /
the United States should advocate the 4
election of a Republican president and a 1
Republican congress upon n sound money |
platform as its only salvation.