New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-13
Harding Says
Tariff Must
Be Restored
American Markets Cannot
Be Surrendered to For
eign Producers, Nominee
Tells Lemon Growers
Industries in Fear of Ruin
Senator Asserts Condition
Will Spread Unless
Protection Is Afforded
From a STAFF Correspondent

Warren G. Harding declared today
that the protective tariff must be re-
stored. However kindly we may feel
toward our allies, the nominee said.
American markets cannot be sur
rendered to foreign producers.
This policy was enunciated in con-
nectlon with a reply to q telegram
from Senator Frank P. Flint, of Cali
fornia, who asked for promise of
relief for lemon growers of the South
ern part of his state. He said they
are facing ruin because the American
markets are being flooded with Scilian
lemons at prices below the cost of
production in the United States
Senator Flint in his message said
that 100000 California growers were
looking to Senator Harding for relief
from the condition brought about by
dumping into American markets of
Slcllian lemons. Prices for this for
elgn fruit the California Senator
pointed out, were far below the actual
cost of production to the American
fruit growers, and the market now is
Sl.15 case less than ten-year average
increasing freight rates and the subsi-
dizing by some European nations of
their industries aggravated the situa-
ton, Senator Flint said. In his reply
Senator Harding said
Your telegram describing Che de-
pressed condition of the California
lemon industry suggests several things
| feel an especial concern for the Cali
fornia fruit industries because they
have given the country splendid illus
tration of the beneficial results of
highly organized. we'll managed CO.
operation CALIFORNIA; fruits could not
have gained the great market and re-
pute they have but for the workings
of the big cooperative marketing asso-
Citations, in which production, distribu-
ton, transportation and financial or
ganization have all been co0dained to
give service to both producers and con-
sumers at the least possible cost
Therefore it is especially necessary
that the great industry should not be
permitted to suffer because Of a NAL
adjustment of tariff rates.
To Protec. United States Industries
This is complete illustration Ct
the impossibility Of sacrificing our
own American people for the benefit of
other countries. Sicilian lemons, own g
/ to demoralized after-war conditions,
distorted rates of exchange, and ex-
traordlnary pressure to get business,
can compete in American markets with
the home product and gain the bust
ness. But American markets cannot be
Systematically Surrendered to foreign
producers, however kindly we may feel
toward our Allies; and the conditions
that your industry faces are precisely
those that many others do now or will
later confront unless proper protection
is given in view of the extraordinary
conditions in the commercial world.
The Republican policy of giving first
attention to American interests, ather
than to those of other continents, will
insure against disaster to industries
situated as is this one. To such a
policy I gladly subscriber
Senator Harding revealed in a con-
versation with newspaper men this
afternoon that the protective tariff
question had been receiving his earnest
consideration. TlH average Ohio farm
err owns a flock OF sheep, and fair
share of the nations wool comes from
this state. The nominee is quick to
sense any market conditions that affect
the wool growing industry through his
contact with Marion County farmers.
II think the country is going to
in the near future. as in years gone
by" he said to-day. at is going to
want it as it did when the new freedom
came in with Mr. Wilson. We can't
maintain American production at home
if we are going to buy our goods
abroad-and that applies to farmers
as we'll. The domestic wool situation
is even more distressing in this coun-
try than the fruit problem faced by
California. Right here in this country
farmers sold their wool clips at 90
altered now, and | am informed that in
Boston they are putting wool in
storage and are not quoting any prices.
We are having a practical demonstra
ton of the economic necessity of the
protective tariff"
Cox Wishes Harding Well
Governor James NJ. Cox invaded the
home town of his Republican rival to-
day. receiving a small delegation of
Marion people on the observation plat
form of the special car attached to
train taking him to Camp Perry, Ohio,
where he is to deliver a speech tomor
row.
Tell Senator Harding that | wish
him good health and good luck in every
thing except one" Governor Cox said
TO one or MS callers.
When Senator Harding received this
message he said:
Il didn't know the Governor had been
in town. His wish is generous enough.
It's very friendly Of him. l recall the
words attributed to me by a motion pic
ture title writer recently, who in a
caption for a picture of me quoted me
as saying: 'Thems my sentiments,
Governor"
The Senator also had an invitation to
visit Camp Perry, where the annual
tournament of the National Rifle As
ISOLATION is in progress. In a letter
of regret to Colonel Morton c.. Mum,
executive officer of the national
matches, Senator Harding took occasion
to express his views on military train
ing He wrote:
Il have been assured from many
sources that the training of our young
men at Camp Perry, Sea Grit, Quantico
and like training grounds proved
powerful factor in aiding the American
forces to fight so effectively on the
battlefronts of western Europe
Il recently said in a public utter
ance that l favored small army, but
that l wanted it to be the very best
one in the world With that thought
in mind l am now convinced that the
thorough training which you are work
ing out affords US one of the surest
guarantees Of our national security"
d.. N ri