New-York tribune., 1919-03-24
CiJleti. FortIney and Mondell
Investigating Extent Of
.Dapanese Mercantile lit
vasion of u. >. Markets
Compare Scale of Wages
Best Paid Workers of Island
Empire Got Less Than so
Cents a Day in 1916

Republican protectionists, working
with the cooperation OF Repre-
sentative Gillett, the next Speaker;
Representatives Joseph W. Fordney,
chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee, and Frank w. Mondell, of
Wyoming, floor leader, recently have
been investigating the extent to which
Japanese manufactured goods have
entered into competition with home
made products in this and other cities
of the United States.
There is nothing new about the pres
ence of japanese silk products in the
stores of the United States, but the
Investigators found plenty of new
products, made within the last year or
two, in local markets. They still are
quietly pursuing their inquiries, and in
due time the Republican leaders in
Congress will have fresh data as JUS
tfcation for revision of the tariff
schedules.
1t was learned last week that the
Japanese are making practically all of
the matches used on the Pacific Coast;
that latterly they are making the
cheapest fountain pens and watch crys-
tals and q large and growing per-
centage of cotton hosiery on sale in
many of the local drygoods stores.
To Study Tariff Revision
The protectionists assert that, now
that, the war is over, Japanese goods
will be placed in American markets in
growing vlume and that close attention
will be given to framing tariff sched-
ule that will tend to keep out Japanese
manufactured goods.
The Treasury Department recently
obtained copy OF The Eighteenth Fl
nancial and Economic Annual of Japan,
1913" compiled by the Japanese De-
partment Of Finance, Toxic, and printed
by the Government Printing Office.
1t is printed in English, but intended
for distribution only in Japanese gov
ernmental circles. A table entitled
Average Daily Wages of Laborers"
gives figures for ten years, including
1915. The figures show a Japanese
farm laborer receives about $25 a year,
while woman farm laborer receives
about SIS.
During the period of the war" said
Representative MondelI. in discussing
the need for the return to a protec-
tive policy. 1.-THE necessity of enormous
revenues rendered essential the laying
OF direct taxes as the principal source
Of Federal income. During the same
period the prohibitions, embargoes and
war control Of international trade
rendered the question of tariff rates
relatively unimportant.
Tariff More Important
with the coming of peace. the lift.
ing or modification Of embareoes, tho
freeing Of trade from wartime control.
the question of tariff rates not only
resumes the Importance which has at.
tached to it In tho past, but becomes
increasingly important III view of the
changed conditions which have resulted
from tho war.
mo ono Is wise enough TO be able
clearly TO foresec the international
trade situation Of the immediate
future. but 1t Is quite evident that in
comparatively short time America
must be prepared for very keen com
petition along many lines--in fact, is
feeling the effect of such competition
now. At the earliest possible moment
the question of tariff rates should have
and am sure will have, the careful
consideration of the Ways and Means
Committee of the House of Representa-
tlves. and as soon as it is at all prac-
ticable we should begin the develop
ment of tariff policy fitting the con
dition which the return Of peace
brings.
IL do not anticipate any serious diff.
Guilty in the carrying out of such a
programme along sound protective
lines. In the first place the war has
emphasized<the necessity of economic
independence as far as practicable; be.
yond that the Importance Of keeping
the Industries of the country going
and our people employed is so patent
that / expect very general public
Endorsement of return to a sound and
sane protective policy.n