The San Francisco call., 1909-03-04
Fight TO KEEP
COFFEE AND TEA
FREE OF DUTY
Importers of SaE Francisco OPP
pose Proposed Tariff of
Five Cents a Pound
Organize to Combat Movement
Launched by Eastern
Spectators
Ii Is Argued That Tax on Beve-
RACES Would Compel Com
sumers to Pay Tribute

Protesting against the proposed tar
~ OF 3 cents a pound on coffee and
wholesalers and brokers in the trade
united yesterday to carry on a cam
paign against the projected duty. The
California coIee and tea association
was formed, with Z. W. Mccarthy Of
Mccarthy Brothers as president, and
without a moments delay active work
was begun to combat the movement
which has been launched by eastern
spectators to take the two staple ar
ticles on the free list
It is believed that a duty would re-
dound to the benefit of only small
coterie OF New York hnanciers, while
the public at large, the great body of
consumers, would be compelled to pay
the tribute. Acting upon this idea, the
association viii interest all the dealers
In the state in the matter. and looks
forward 10 the cooperation of the pub
lie through such bodies as the labor or
ganizations. Appeals will be sent 10
congress and every legitimate means
used to defeat the movement for the
tariff.
Although yesterdays meeting was
intended TO be no more than an in
formal gathering. the response to the
invitations was so general and the
sentiment so united that great head
way was made. Trade interests Of
money value high into the millions
were represented. On no question that
arose was there a dissenting vote.
ORGANIZATION EFFECTED
The meeting had been called at the
instigation of T. H Haskins of Leege
& Haskins and A. K Munson OF J. A.
Folger & Co. The session was held in
the assembly room Of the Associated
retail grocers Of San Francisco, in the
Sheldon building. Frank B. Connolly,
secretary OF the California retail
grocers' and merchants association.
called the meeting 10 order and ex-
planned its purposes. Organization was
effected by the election Of Z. w. Nc
Carthy as president. A. K. Munson as
secretary and William Haas Of Haas
Brothers as treasurer.
In taking the chair Mccarthy sug
gested that the organization should be
made q permanent one TO promote the
trade, protect the consumer and help
the city.
This matter is more important than
appears on the surface" he said. The
trade Of all dealers would be ruined II
an excessive duty We're placed on tea
and coffee. The business in the east
might not be so seriously affected, but
to US it would be ruinous."
Upon the suggestion OF William Haas
an initiation fee of SIS was levied on
all members. The money viii be used
in conjunction with a fund of the Gro
GERS association to send out litera
ture explaining the situation and set
ting forth the reasons why a duty
would be injurious alike TO the dealer
and consumer.
II was decided to send invitations TO
all the wholesalers. importers. roasters
and brokers 10 join the association.
There was some discussion as TO the
advisability Of extending the scope of
the work TO the other states Of the
Pacific coast. but it was deemed ad-
visable 10 leave that in allegiance for
the present.
WILL MAP OUT CAMPAIGN \
An executive committee was appoint
ed 10 map out definite plan of cam
paign On this body were named Carl
Schilling Of A. Schilling & Co, NJ.
4 Brandenstein Of n J. Brandenstein &
Co and A K. Munson. A committee
was named TO cooperate with organi-
cations that might care to take the
matter up as follows: Z. II. O'Brien.
George Werlin. c. G. Cambron, T. H.
Haskins and Carl Schilling. AS a mem
bership committee the following were
chosen: Leon levin. Charles F. Thier-
bach and Charles II. Balm.
Stress was laid upon the fact that
the campaign against the proposed
duty, while inaugurated by the dealers
and importers. was at the same in the
interest of the consumers.
This movement for a tariff on cof-
fee and tea is for the most part specu-
lative." said F. W Mccarthy, president
Of the new association. "A few years
ago with a SO 600, 600 900 debt the gov
ernrnent found a means of raising rev.
enue without such a step as is now
proposed when with 90.000.000 Of peo-
ple we have a debt of less than $1,000
O00. O0o This proposed duty would be
tax on the breakfast table II would
affect every poor man In fact, ii would
affect the poor more than the wealthy
Moreover ii would seriously injure the
trade Of this port"
ENGINEERED BY SPECTATORS
T. H. Haskins spoke in the same
vein, pointing out that every con-
sumer would be affected.
This is not selfish movement OF
our part, as might be thought said
Haslxins we all carry stock, which
should net us a big profit in case 9
duty were imposed. but we are op-
Dosed TO this tariff of cents a pound
The price could go up and. as in 1885
there would be danger Of a free use
OF chicory and other substitutes This
tariff agitation comes from a feW big
promoters in the east who expect tc
make millions on the valOrization cof-
fee from Brazil AS an indication oi
the truth Of this. some importers are
paying as much as two and hall
times the price of charters from Bra
iii as a premium. This. Of course Is
for the purpose OF bringing in the
valorization stock.
The speculative feature is also re-
rected ia the trade conditions. The
market is dull at the present time. but
nevertheless. futures are going up
These speculators stand to reap a tre-
niendous profit II the duty is imposed
They are the only ones who want it
Nearly every one else is opposed to it,
Among those at the meeting were
T. H Haskins Of Haskins & Leege
E. Guittard Of the Guittard company
A. X Munson Of J. A. Folger & Co.
Carl SchiIIing Of A. Schilling & Co. NJ
Brandenstein Of n. J. Brandenstein &
Co. Wlliara Haas Of Haas Brothers
Leon Levin a broker: John Lombard
rsfT7.,,os, G. L2e,ra1 charles Tbfor