The herald., 1897-05-09
CHAMBEROFCO COMMERCE
A DELEGATE TO THE TRANSMITS
SISSIPPI CONGRESS
Executive Committee Prepares Cir
cular Urging All Californians to
Work for the Citrus Tariff

The secretary of the chamber of COM
meroe IS in receipt of a letter from w.
H. Culmer, secretary of the trarsmissis-
sippi commercial congress, inviting a
delegate from the chamber to represent
that body at the ninth annual conven-
ton to be held in Salt Lake City. The
objects of the transnississippi CONNER
cial congress, of which William Jen-
nings Bryan is president, are: ITO Sc
cure such national legislation as Is cal
culated to promote the business inter-
ests and development of the resources
of the states and territories lying west
of the Mississippi river; to increase re-
ciprocal trade among them; to discuss
such questions as are naturally sug-
gested by it's objects; to cultivate ac-
ouaintance, fraternal feeling and
hearty cooperation among the various
commercial bodies represented"
At this coming congress, which will
convene July 14th, the following sub
jocts will be placed under discussion:
"The Transmississippi International
Exposition;" "The Nicaragua Canal"
THE Hawaiian Question:" "Irriga-
tion:" 1.-The Cession of Arid Lands to
the State" Immigration to the West
ern States;" Restriction Of Immigra-
tion;" japanese Competitions" "The
Disposition of Public Lands" "Resto-
ration of the Homestead Policy" "Ad-
mission Of Territories to Statehood"
agricultural Interests" "The Culture
Of Ramie;" "Beet Sugar Industry"
Export of Breadstuffs to China and
Japan" Preservation Of Forests"
National Bankrupt Law" "Construc-
tion and Improvement Of Waterways
and Deep Harbors;" Rail and
Water Communication With the Sea-
board;" prevention of Damage by
Floods in the Mississippi and Other
Rivers;" "Our Trade with Mexico"
The following circular has been pre-
pared by Messrs. F.. @. Story, Il. F. c.
Klokke and r. H. B. Chamblin, of the
executive committee, on the citrus tar
| iff question:
eve once more in the interest of the
present and future prosperity of Cali
fornia, call your attention to the great
Importance of an adequate duty on cit
rus fruits. The senate committee in
it's report of the tariff bill, has recon-
mended duty of one cent per pound.
This is an amount absolutely necessary
to the existence of the industry, and 1t
will only keep out the refuse of the i'm
portations. If the bill passes and
the one cent per pound on citrus fruits
becomes a law, it means the revival of
an industry which for a number of
years has been in languishing and un-
| ;efo o+o xxyy,i !, fo9 IL
protection, will give remunerative en-
ployment to thousands of American cit
liens, and which, when fully developed,
will insure an annual income to be dis
tributed among our own people, of $15,-
000 900 or more.
"On the contrary, If the one cent a
pound duty should fail to become a
law, it means the ruin of thousands OF
American men and families who have
devoted years of patient labor in bring
ing their orchards into bearing, and the
destruction of an industry which, more
than any other, has been the magnet
to attract and bring the greatest num-
Der of valuable home-seekers to Cali
fornia. The importers of New York.
chiefly Italians and Spaniards, have or
ganized to prevent the passage of the
tariff. The chambers of commerce of
Catania, Messina and Palermo have
been appealed to, that they might inf1u-
ence American legislation. The italian
minister, under instruction of his gov
ernment, it is reported, has invited the
importers to Washington, where they
now constitute a lobby.
This action on the part Of the for
eign interests can be successfully met
only by persistent movement
On the part of the American producer
and his friends. The millions of dol
lars paid out annually for the foreign
fruit leaves our land never to return.
1t is a drain on cur resources. The
countries where it goes to take ecarce-
ly anything that is made or produced
by American hands. Reciprocity has
no share in the condition Of trade with
them. While the farmer and fruitgrow-
er has always and uncomplainingly paid
an enhanced price for the purpose OF
building up other American industries
it Is notorious that heretofore he has
received the least protection, though
he needed the most. 1t is also a well
recognized fact that in all countries
where the farming class is prosperous,
the country as whole is prosperous.
THE question of tariff Isl of such
vital Importance that it should COM
mand the earnest and serious conefd-
GRAFTON and the most unremitting effort
for its enactment OF everyone having
at heart the welfare of California. We
ask that you again write to your friends
in senate and house, and ask others
to do likewise, urging them to support
the recommendation Of the finance com
mittee, and secure to us the tariff OF
one cent per pound on citrus fruits II
Is requested that you take kindly a t'on
Immediately.
A large number of sight-seers vi ,ec
the chamber yesterday, looked a ne
exhibit and registered their namesin Il,
big book
The turtles crawled around owe hs
floor in search of the sunny spots an-
the small Randsburg specimens OF ID
ore in the cage attracted the atte s1
of the visitors.
The following donations were rec
yesterday: Mediterranean Sweet
anges, A. l.. Ball, Downey; the
from l.. M. Zarht; cork bark from
2S years old, A. G. Foster; Plyn
Rock eggs, Mrs. N. P. Lyman, West
ster; cluster Lisbon lemons, J.F Spa :
city; Eureka lemons and navel ora =
G. G. Crane, La Crescenta; St. Nil &
lOraEges, G. G. Chapman, Placentia