The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-03-31
RECIPROCITY WITH MEXICO
Discussion of the Results of Mexican
Tariff Reduction-WouId Cripple Agri-
culture in the Southern States

Tariff Reduction-WouId Cripple Agri-
culture in the Southern States
The unofficial announcement that
negotiations are in progress between the
United States and Mexico looking to a
reciprocity treaty will be likely to injure
the chances for the ratification of the
Canadian tariff reciprocity treaty by
Congress at its extra session. Recip-
rocity with Mexico is the very thing
which has been feared by some OF the
foremost opponents Of the Canadian
treaty. By reason Of the low wage scale
paid in Mexico, the cheapness OF the
land, and the climatic advantages in
some parts of the Republic, making 1t
possible to produce fruit, grain, live
stock, and other agricultural staples
much more cheaply than they can be
produced on this side of the line, Mex
leo threatens to become formidable
competitor of the United States in many
directions where her competition has
heretofore not been felt. In quiet
way the government of Mexico has
been forcing agricultural development
The cattle interests realize that the free
importation of cattle, sheep and hogs
from Mexico would make great deal
Of difference in their profits. Farmers
along the border know better than others
how impossible it would be for them to
compete with Mexican farmers whose
land and labor cost them next to moth
ing.
Take the highly specialized fruit in
dustry of California, Arizona, Texas,
Louisiana and Florida. The lands used
are among the most costly on which
any commercial crop is grown. In many
cases they are irrigated at large ex-
pense. Almost without exception the
bills for fertilizer are heavy, running as
high as 500 or more per acre per year,
for these crops rapidly exhaust the soil.
The labor employed is expensive if eff
cient. The cost OF handling the crop
is large, being divided between the
pickers, packers, precoolers, refrigera-
tors and carriers, the proportion going
to the railroads being in all cases very
large. AT the present time, even with
a protective tariff, the citrus fruit from
Cuba and Mexico can be brought into
this country and sold at "a profit.
The planting of citrus fruit has gone
on extensively in both those countries
during the last few years, and there is
beginning to be great pressure for a
lowering of the tariff. Much American
capital is represented in the Cuban and
Mexican citrus fruit industry, and these
Americans will join hands with the Sici-
lian lemon growers and the New York
importers of lemons to force down the
tariff to a point where the Southern and
Southwestern orchardists will face abso-
lutte ruin.
This is not the only direction in which
Mexican reciprocity would be injurious
to American industries, for Mexico has
been expanding rapidly, not only agri-
culturally but also industrially; and with
her cheap labor she would be most
formidable competitor of American in
dustries all along the line if she were
given free access to our markets. 1t is
foregone conclusion, therefore, that
every farmer and manufacturer who will
foresee injury to his business through
reciprocity will use his utmost endeavor
to prevent it being brought about.