New-York tribune., 1906-04-27
TALK OF TARIFF CHANGE.
Congressman Needham's Tie1cs on
Free Steel Bill.
tErnm The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, April 26.-Although both houses
OF Congress prepared TO do everything whleh
is considered important for the reiiet OF the
San Francisco sufferers. even to the extent OF
admitting free Of duty the materials needed ror
the reconstruction of the stricken city. there Is
some question as TO whether it will be thought
Of sufficient importance even by the Califor-
MANS to disturb the tariff for this purpose.
Representative Needham. of California, said
on this subject to-day:
OF course we want TO do all that Is proper
and desira BILE in the premises for san Francisco
br+ do not think there is occasion for nasty
or hysterical action There are many Things 20
be considered. We want TO find out whether lne
steel unanufac cturers OF this country can supply
the demand I have seen IL stated that the mills
are so pressed with orders that they cannot
meet the home demand If that Is true ~ Woulo
5oubtIsss have great weight with the COM
mittce But II the home manufacturers can III
the orders there are other questions TO oe con-
sidered.
Now. I am discussing only one phase OF the
situation and have not outlined any poucy IN
my own mind. AS I said, we don't want 20 oe
hysterical. but TO go ahead IN ousihessiHe ness 1
mind is the fact that California Is one OF the
greatest benefciaries OF the Dingley protecuVe
tariff act. without IT the state could nov pros
per- The protection given our ralslnS. our cltIuS
fruits wines and agricultural products Is aoso-
lutely necessary for our salvation Inc rrelsht
rate by water from Sicily Italy. France; SpaIL, N
the railroad rate from California to the same
market and then We have 10 compete IN auoAs
tion with the cheap labor of Europe
Can California afford TO make the nrst oreach
In the protective tariff wall? That Is one or the
questions TO be considered. Moreover. the Iuh-
ber interests of the whole Pacific Coast. includ-
ing California. which has a big stake are pro
tected against the competition of the British
Columbia lumber dealers We must ma out
whether our people desire to take down the
barrier, submitting great Industry and nxed
economic policy TO foreign inrOadS.
California is just starting into glass making
under the protection of the Dingley act. That
is a small industry at present. but under Repub-
Ucan policies is entitled to protection with the
large ones Now, the point 10 be considered is
whether in view of our interests in varied pro-
tected industries, will he justified In asking
Eastern states TO submit 10 suspension of du-
ties on steel and glass and other building ma
terial.
note that when the duty was suspended for
the chicago fire the lumber interests OF Wiscon-
sin and Michigan succeeded in getting exemp-
tIon from, the suspension OF duties. I don't know
whether California could ask to have her lum-
her exempted and Pennsylvania steel sacrificed
But as L said. II the country cannot furnish
us with steel and other material, of course We
ought 10 consider taking off the duty on for
eien goods But in seizing the temporary ad-
vantas se OF lower duties for this crisis. very
sure our people would not want TO risk break
ing down the great economic system OF pro-
tective tariff which has built up the state and
without which there can be no prosperity for
California.