The herald., 1898-12-08
CURRANT RESOLUTIONS
GREEK GRAPES IN COMPETITION
WITH OUR RAISINS
Chamber of Commerce Desires Con-
gress to Let the Present Tariff on
Zante Currants Alone

Senator Stephen NJ. White appeared be-
| fore the board of directors of the chamber
of commerce yesterday on their invitation
to give such information as the board re-
Quired relating to the tariff legislation on
the raisin industry of the state. At the
close of the senator's talk a vote of thanks
was rendered him by the board. Director
Newmark offered resolutions which were
unanimously adopted, and copies of the
same were ordered sent to the commercial
organizations of the state, as follows:
Whereas, the president of the United
States, in his recent message to congress,
has stated that the government of Greece
strongly urges the onerousncss OF the duty
here imposed upon the currants OF that
country, amounting to 100 per cent or more
of their market value This fruit is STAGED to
be exclusively a Greek product, not COM
ing into competition with any domestic
product. The question, of reciprocal COM
mercal relations with Greece, including the
restoration of currents to the free list, is
under consideration; and
Whereas, the statement that currants are
exclusively Greek product, not coming into
competition with any domestic product, is
wholly erroneous, the fact BEN, that The
currants imported from Greece are raisins,
and come into direct and rulnous competi-
ton with currants and raisins produced IN
the state Of California. The entire subject
was thoroughly treated upon more than
one occasion in the senate OF the United
States during the consideration of both tie
Wilson and Dingley bills (see senate debates
of June l6, 1872 and
Whereas, it was shown in such debates
by reference to the highest scientific author
tiles that the Greek cur"ant is nothing more
or less than a raisin, and ii was also shown
that the placing of this product upon the
free list would be destructive Of the lalsin
industry of California; and
Whereas, in view of these facts, the franz
ers of the last two tariff bills incorporated
provisions imposing tariff tax upon this
article, such provision i'll the Wilson bill
having been considered and sustained in
the federal court Of California tin re. Wise,
collector 73. Federal Reporter, page 1881,
and was accepted by all as a final disposi-
ton of the matter; and
Whereas, the season following the enact
ment of the present tariff law has been the
first for many yeas during which the ials'n
industry has pro.p4red, such prosperity ht-
ing que 10 tne CIlOrCtilCHt u llC ptesCi1
section 264 Of the tariff law of 1897; and
Whereas, such raisin industry is OF great
magnitude, the saies tc date for this eaSo1
being upward of 22O0 cars, there being still
on hand, unsold, 500 cars; and
Whereas, the placing Of the Greek currant
upon the free list would resnl. in the de-
>truction Of rllsn growing Of the United
States, thus obliterating a very important
domestic pursuit in turning over our mar
ket to foreign producers without any cor
responding advantage; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Los Angeles chamber
Of commerce respectfully and earnestly pro
tests against the negotiation Of my treaty
or the making Of any agreement involving
| any changes in the tariff with reference to
currants or other fruits.
Resolved, mat 4 copy Of these resolutions
be transmitted by telegraph Immediately to
the president, and also the senators and
representatives OF the state OF California.
After the meeting had adjourned tele-
gram was received from John c. Nourse,
| president Of the chamber Of commerce ol
Fresno, suggesting that the Los Angeles
chamber send telegrams to President Ne
Kinley and Senator George c. Perkins con
| cerning the admission OF Greek currants into
| this country free OF duty.