Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-05-12

4 ely " ttttt IL Idi-tlN mean SIlSuilS
4 lower prices to the consumer, for pos
sibly three years. after that the beet
( sugar interests OF the country would
/ have bee ndestroyed Then. with the
( sugar production In their hands. the
importing refineries would be in con.
+ troll of the price.
/ Kill the domestic, and the inn.
1 ported cane viii reign. Continue to
/ support the domestic. and in few
years il viii supply the country's de-
maRds more eheaply than imported
I cane can continue 10 do"
understands Opinion
When George W. Wickersham. for
merly attorney general of the United
States. was in Honolulu Ia March. he
/ declared. during an interview with a
representative Of the Star-Bulletin,
that il vas beyond his comprehension
TO ser any reason why it was believed
by reducing the tariff on sugar tho
cost 10 the consumer would be less.
The following is an excerpt from his
interviews:
Il can ascribe no valid OF sensible
reason for the fact that some legis-
lators i'm Washington are for mo-
ment considering the reduction of the
tariff on sugar The idea that such a
reduction will work anything but great
harm or that it will benefit to any ex-
tent the consumer of sugar is to my
mind so fallacious as to be absurd
The great sugar refineries in the
United States, the majority of which
are controlled by the so-called Sugar
Trust, will get all the benefit from any
reduction in the cost OF the raw prod
uct, and It is beyond my comprehen-
sion to see any reason why the price
Of the refined product to the consumer
would be reduced.
81 cannot conceive of any reasona-
bic man so foolish as to believe that
this industry should be sacrificed for
the sole benefit of the refining CON-
panies. To my mind the question OF
the reduction of the tariff on sugar,
more than any other single question,
is apt to result in the disruption of
the Democratic party. 1t Is an all I'M,
portant question. and one upon which
the people of the United States are
eminent realizes no less than $60.000.-
900 annually from the tariff on sugar.
Besides this, the sugar industry is
great and important factor in the
economic progress and prosperity of
the country. We should encourage its
development, not stamp it out OF ex-
istence by foolhardy measure"
Shirt Men Complain.
Though at this time the loudest
voices have been raised aginst free
sugar, the manufacturers of shirts and
collars have raised the point of their
inability to compete with Oriental la
Dor. not only in that particular field OF
trade but in any competitive business
where the cost of labor, such as in
the sugar industry, cuts such large
figure Leslie's Weekly, in speaking
of this, recently said:
Our shirt and collar manufacturers
are up in arms against the proposal to
take protection from their trade.
Japan has already entered the field
of competition. With the increasing
adoption of Western styles of dress
in the Orient there is a steadily grow
ing field for collars and shirts which
Japan is already catering to. Not only
so, but japan Is even now shipping
her goods to the United States, not
large quantities. as yet, but it is a |
growing trade as the consular reports |
show. We cannot compete with the |
wage scale of Japan or Of any other
Eastern people. Japan Is the most |
progressive Oriental nation. In 1907
The general average of wages through
put the Japanese empire was 1SR
cents per day! In 1910 this had in
creased to 291I cents per day and the
Increased cost Of living will probably
force a still higher average. We have
no industry that can compete with
such a scale of wages as this Is it
to want tU see our high
wages and high standard of living pro-
ected against the cheap products of
he Orient? Let the people decide!
Reduction Too Great
A statement that a change in the
ariff, as being carried out by con-
,ress. viii injure business generally
md upset its stability, is accredited
g +. A. Societies, OF the Hirsh-Wick-
wire Co, Chicago. He also speaks OF
he broad differences in the labor con-
Iitions of this country with those of
he Orient In part he says:
81 believe that the proposed changes
n the tariff would injure present bust i
Fess stability. The reduction Of the
uties will mean that wages in the h
Industries affected will have TO be re-
uccd We cannot compete with for [
ign labor at the present wages. The
alue of money, on the other hand,
could be increased Goods would he !
heaper ard the consumer would be
bic to buy as much with his reduced
'ages as he can with his present in
ono. ] think the present proposed !
eductions are too great. and, if adopt
d. will cause a business depression" .
Ono could 90 on indefinitely giving
he expression of opinion on the I'm J
erwood bill; but the above are prob I
bly, sufficient to give clear idea of I
DC feeling throughout the United /,
tates on the question. and the grave I
ature Of the responsibility President +