Imperial Valley press., 1913-04-12
TINE TARIFF AND CALIFORNIA

President Wilson was elected on
a platform that called for heavy down
rcrd revision. The Democratic con
jSpessmen were chosen on the same
AselaratiOn of principles. This was
Known to thousands of Republicans
who voted for Wilson and these con-
sressmen through opposition TO HooscI
welt. Now there is a great noWl ralScu
because the president proposes TO ful1lll
ne pledges Of himself and his party
There are five important Industries
"a California which are deeply con
ssrned over the tariff: Citrus fruits
s1sar beets. lumber, wool and beef.
There are those who advocated placlnS
al these products on the free list eX-
sept citrus fruits and these are To have
much lower tariff.
Il is Of great interest how these
Industrial activities would be anected
il the Democratic program should ne
ssrried out. and that is in great pari
q matter Of conjecture.
Il is being claimed by the citrus
huie producers that the proposed tarlff
would kill the industry in this state.
The Press does not believe that. though
NJ is probable that lower tariff would
somewhat reduce the price OF citrus
fruits.
The fact is that the amount of these
fruits produced is pretty we'll adjusted
20 the worlds demands. and If low er
tariff in this country should start this
way 4 larger portion Of the foreign
fruits other countries would bid higher
TO keep up their own supply. Europe
as not going to permit all the lemons
Of the Mediterranean to be diverted
here. aai a low tariff in this country
wjn mean a higher price for lemons in
europe as much as it will imply a
towering Of prices here. and undoubt-
edly the new adjustment which would
ooma would still permit American lem
oUs ~ or '."pdur"d at profit. and the
same would hold true II oranges.
though it il probable in each case
Ghs-a would be some reduction in the
profits
There are many sides Of the question
a. fhe effect Cf tariff on beet sugar
production. II is understood that this
Edustrv il conducted with great profit
gnf plaring ~" iuinsi"y an free trade
basis mI-ht eji'I permit the industry tn
thrive. II - also ryiient that the t9riT
Oh sU-7r does represent ~ l"rahlc
tax nn The consumers. VITO would huy
sugar much cheaper if il We're nai f0r
the tariff. If that tax amounts to a.
DucN As tle surplus profit in the in
tiuStry over the profit i'll other use Of
the soil it is difficult to see how the
people as whole are rec0mpenSei
f0r the tariff.
ID every ease TIE ground used FOR
sugar neeis is very rich and could he
ased to good advantage in other lines
Ct production il free sugar implies the
tiliinG 0f the sugar industry which i
Erv doubtful At least.
The humber industry Of the country
- Il .ha hands If great interests who
are working in perfect accord to pre-
serve high prices. while the encroach-
wents on the timber resources i -
sreat that the country sooner or later
s2ust reach elsewhere for supply, and
me Press is convinced that free trade
II. fumher would work to the good OF
ase great body Of Americans.
Wool and beef are essentially prod
1sts OF the range, because on the range
they can he produced more cheaDly
eAaa elsewhere. This valley is big
aroducer OF beef and small producer
sS wo9l. and the first effect OF these