The San Francisco call., 1906-05-16
SOME OPPOSITION
To RELIEF MEASURE
SHOWN BY MINORITY
Customs Officials Very Much Inter-
ested in Congressional Action Al
lowing Drawback on Material.
Similar Act Adopted in Favor of Chi.
cago After the Great Fire of
1871 Is Cited.
Belief That Democratic Statesmen Are
Placing Obstacles in y of Pro-
posed Legislation.

Customs officials, as we'll as the pub
lie In general, are very much inter-
ested in the matter of the proposed
drawback Of duty on imported build
ing materials. A precedent in point is
the act of Congress, approved April 8.
1872, entitled an act for the relief of
sufferers by fire at Chicago, which pro-
vided:
First-Admission, free Of duty, of all
gratuitous contributions from places in
foreign countries for the relief Of
sufferers by the fire which occurred at
Chicago, October Z, s and 9, 1871, when
imported and consigned to the proper
authorities at Chicago for distribution
to such sufferers
Second-An allowance Of drawback
of the duty paid on all materials (ex-
cept lumber) imported and actually
used in buildings erected on the site Of
buildings burned by said fire (under
such regulations as the Secretary of
the Treasury prescribed), provided that
said materials shall be imported and
used during the term of one year from
and after the passage of the act; and
Third-Permitting the Commissioner
of Internal Revenue to suspend the
collection of such taxes as may have
been assessed, or as may have ac-
crued, prior to October 9. 1871, against
any person doing business and owning
property in that portion of Chicago de-
stroyed by fire, and who. in the opin-
ion OF said Commissioner, had suffered
material loss by such fire.
Congressman Gaines of Tennessee.
who is credited with introducing a
similar bill allowing drawback of duty
paid on materials imported and used
in the reconstruction of the burned dis
trict Of San Francisco, has written a
letter TO c. D. Bunker & Co, customs
brokers in this city, in which he states
that he is much surprised at the oppo-
sition to such bill by the California
delegation, especially Mr.. Needham.
Senator Perkins has wired that this is
an error. and that the California dele
cation is standing as a unit in favor
Of the bill. Other reports state that
the main opposition is by the Demo-
cratic minority. who demand absolutely
free trade in building materials for the
entire country. and other reports state
that the opposing hand of the steel
trust is at work among its supporters
IN Congress
At any rate, there seems to be con-
siderable opposition from various
sources against allowing a drawback
of the duty on building materials i'm
ported from foreign countries. :.
While the pending bill provides for
the relief in construction of burned
buildings erected in the burned district,
a few of such buildings were materially
damaged by earthquake and later
burned. It is the opinion OF customs
officials that similar provision should
be made for building materials used in
reconstructing San Jose. Santa Rosa
and other places which were damaged
by the earthquake proportionately as
much, il not greater, than many
buildings in the burned district of this
city. The Limitation Of one year al
lowed Chicago should be made at least
three years in this case on account of
the far greater destruction Of San
Francisco.