The San Francisco call., 1897-07-13
He Speaks Of the Status
of Tariff and Labor
Legislation.
The California Delegation in
Congress Is Commended for
Good Work.
What the Country Needs Most Is a
Tariff Law to Remain Unchanged
for Twenty Years.

John d. SpreckeIs, N EN- Der of the Ma
tional Republican Commit ee from Cali
fornia, has returned from Washington.
He was there nearly ten weeks and became
familiar with many subjects engrossing
the attention of Congress. He saw the
mem bers of the California delegation fire.
quently and speaks highly of their indus
try and zeal in behalf of their constitu-
ents. In general talk yesterday regard
ing the gains TO California in the new
tariff bill Mr. Spreckels said:
"California gets protection for citrus
products, dried fruits, borax and Zante
currants and many other products. l
received many letters by mail and mes
sages by wire asking that these articles be
protected. [ went before the committee
and submitted the requests made to me.
The embers OF the committee were
anxious to receive all the information
that could be given, and l believe that
California has obtained everything that
her re preventative people asked for. The
fruit interests have been projected to the
extent of the desires OF the leading men of
that industry. The com mittee readily
granted the requests from California"
Speaking of the activity and worth OF
individ ual members of the California
ator White is the best worker in our dole
CATION. He is industrious and indefatiga-
ble He has made careful study of the
needs of California ard his intelligence is
respected. He is vigiiant at all times and
IS especially alert In guarding the inter
ests of the State
in regard to the business outlook and
the indications for renewal of prosperity
Mr.. Spreckels said that many important
enterprises were awaiting the action of
Congress on the tariff. What the coun-
try most needs. he continued, 'ls fixed
and permanent adjustment of the tariff
schedule of the duties that will last for
twenty years. The readjustment and
changes at every session of Congress en-
age those who would invest LARGELY
in manufacturing enterprises. Men
with capital hesitate to invest
when they consider that the next Con-
gress may change the whole list of dutl-
able articles. 1t is the fcar-the nppre-
hension of adverse legisIation-that
causes the dull times. The importer fears
to import largely. The manufacturer
hesitates when the proposition to buy
large quantities of material is presented.
He does not know what effect future tariff
legislation will have on the price of his
manufactured products, SO the factories
only supply the passing demand. While
this suspense prevails The workers, or the
men who would willingly work, cannot
get employment. Our leading public men
are beginning to understand this phase of
the tariff legislation. The settlement of
the tariff question on basis to last for
twenty years or more would restore pros
perl.y to the whole country. Men of
means would invest their ca pital with
sense OF security in the investment. and
employment would be given 10 many,
fEo do No.
THE difficulties which confront the
laborng men OF the United States" said
Mr.. Spre ckels, cannot be adju sted in
proper and beneficial manner until laws
are passed and enforced TO prevent the
immigration from foreign countries of
low-grade laborers In this respect our
workingmen must have protection. Men
who endeayor to make their homes hab-
liable and to educate their children can
not compete in the labor market with the
low grades of ignorant men who have no
care or thought of home and children.
The low-class i'm migrant does not come
here to enjoy the benefits OF citizenship
or the ADVANTAGES OF civilized home life
He can live cheap and will work cheap.
He Can put up style OF com petition that
the intelligent and family supporting
worker cannot meet, Too many of the
low grade have been admitted under our
immigration laws and it is row essential
to the prosperity and we'll doing of honest
and intelligent men that they should not
be exposed to degrading com petition"
In reply to the inquiry, did you meet
the President 10 talk with him on Cali
fornla topics?" Mr.. Spreckels said: II
saw the President several times and had
number of talks with him. Yes, he has
knowledge of affairs in this State. He is
affable and pleasant to every one and
welcomes all, rich and poor alike. had
no difficulty in seeing him and had sew
eral extended interviews with him. He is
hard worker. 1t is wonder that he
does not break down under the constant
and exacting duties Of his office"
Mr.. SpreckeIs was asked If the appoint
ment of w. w. Montague to the position
of Postmaster left any harsh feeling or
discord in the California delegation. "On
the contrary" he said, "the appointment
met the approval OF all the mem bers of
the eIegation. The delegation united in
ting the President to appoint Mr.
Montague. suppose the new Postmaster
will take charge OF the office about the
first of next month. ! suppose he has
nothing to do but file his bond and take
the office"
Recurring again to California products
pro ected by the tariff Mr.. Spreckel3 said
he did not believe the conference comm nit
tee would change the schedule OF duties
on citrus fruits and other products in
81 was away from California Tor ten
weeks, and was in Washington nearly all
the time" remarked Mr.. SpreckeIs
Twice visited New York. l am home
to stay for some time and glad to be
hora ~