Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-26
TARIFF SUSPENSION
Representative Needham'S
Views on the Subject.
NO HISTORICAL ACTION
There Are Many Things to Be Con-
sidered
IN A BUSINESSLIKE WAY
California Is One Of the Greatest Bene-
hciaries Of the Dingley Pro-
tective Act.
NO HISTORICAL ACTION
BUSINESSLIKE WAY

Members of the ways and means commit
tee are comforting informally among them
selves on the question OF suspending duties
on building material designed for San Fran
cisco and undoubtedly the proposition will
come up for definite determination within a
few days.
Representative Needham Of California Is
a republican member OF the committee.
and is deeply Interested In the subject. In
conversation with q Star reporter this aft
ernoon Mr. Needham said:
Of course, We want to do all that 10
proper and desirable in the premises for
San Francisco. but I do not think there
is occasion for hasty or hysterical action.
There are many things to be considered
We want to find out whether the steel man
ufacturers of this country can supply the
demand 1 have seen IL stated that the
mills are so pressed with orders that they
cannot meet the home demand If that Is
true II would doubtless have great weight
with the committee. But IL the home man
ufacturer can I'LL the orders there are other
questions to be considered
In a Businesslike Way.
Now. I am only discussing every phase
OF the situation. and have not outlined any
policy In my own mind As I said we don't
want to be hysterical, but to go ahead In a
pOSuicSslihc way. oIt OlDeT CONSIDER atom
which 1 have I'm mind is the fact that Cali
fornia is one OF the greatest benehciar.es OF
the Dingley protective tariff act Without
II the state could not prosper
The protection given our raisins. our
citrus fruits. wines and agricultural prod
ton. The freight rate by water. from Sic
lily, italy. France, Spain and Portugal TO
New York IL just one-third Of the railroad
rate from California to the same market.
and then We have to compete in addition
with the cheap labor of Europe.
Can California AFFORD to make the firss
breach In the protective tariff wall? That
Is one of the questions TO be considered.
Moreover. the lumber interests of the whole
Pacific coast. including California, which
has big stake, are protected against the
competition of the British Columbia lumber
dealers. We must find out whether our
people desire to take down the barrier,
submitting a great industry and fixed
economic policy to foreign inroads
California Is Just starting into giassmak-
Ing. under the protection of the Dingley
act. That Is small industry at present.
but. under republican policies. entitled to
protection with the large ones. Now. the
point to be considered is whether, In view
of our interest In varied protected indus
tries. VIC will be justified in asking eastern
states to submit to suspension of duties on
steel and glass and other building material.
In Chicago Case.
II note that when the duty was suspend
ed for the Chicago fire the lumber interests
of Wisconsin and Michigan succeeded In
getting exemption from the suspension of
duties. 1 don't know whether California
could ask to have her lumber exempted
and Pennsylvania steel sacrificed.
But as l said IL this country cannot
furnish US with steel and other material.
of course we ought to consider taking off
the duty on foreign goods. But. In seizing
the temporary advantage of lower duties
for this crisis l am very sure our people
would not want to risk breaking down the
great economic system OF protective tariff
which has built UP the state and without
which there can be no prosperity for Cali
fornia-'
II the ways and means committee should
report the bill. IL will come into the House
under escort of iron-clad rule. which
will cut of possibility of tariff amendment,
and would then pass. But in the Senate
the measure would have no such protec-
ton. being unarmored and subject TO a
fhouSa nd shafts