Imperial Valley press., 1921-08-04
War Hero Wants
To Be Protected

To Be Protected
Sacramento-The paradoxical situ->
alton of war veteran who asks to
be protected against those he fought
for is presented in the case of Cap
tain II. w. Lewald, Of Rio Linda, one
OF Californias 1000 almonoi farmers
who are asking a protective tariff duty
sufficient to permit marketing their
crop in this country in competition
With the peasant growers of Southern
Europe.
Captain Lewald, who served in the
Navy during the World War, has writ
ten vigorous letters of protest in true
fighting spirit to Senators Hiram W.
Johnson and Samuel NJ. Shortridge,
who are presenting the California farm
ers' demands before the Senate Finance
Committee for revision Of the House
four and twelve cent almond schedule
in the Fordney bill to the absolutely
necessary minimum CT five and fifteen
cents on unshelled and shelled almonds
Captain Lewalds letter to Senator
Johnson follows:
Dear Sir:
knowing that you are one hundred
per cent American, also all for Cal
ifornia | know that every Californian
will appreciate it If you use your
utmost influence to get at least a
sc tariff on unshelled almonds and
a 15c tariff on shelled almonds. We
cannot make go out here with
anything less than the above tariff.
All during the iato war | served part
Of the time as Captain OF an Army
Transport and part of the time as
Lieut.. Commander in the Navy. and
| will be a son OF sea cook If |
done my little part towards winning
the war and then have Europeans
put it all over us as they will surely
be doing if the 4c and l2c tariff goes
through.
am like you all for America ard
ask nothing but fair deal, but
can sincerely say that the almond
growers of California will come out
Of the little end of the horn, with
any less than a sc and 15c tariff.
Knowing that California can always
depend upon you and thanking you
for past favors, | remain.
Fr Very truly yours,
d.. IN CAPT. H. A. LEWALD.
In another letter to Senator Short.
ridge, Captain Lewald. points out from
personal knowledge the pauper stand
ards of living against which California
farmers must compete If not given
proper tariff protection. In his letter
to Senator Shortridse he says:
"On my own ranch cannot make
1t pay II the tariff is less than &C
on unshelled and 15c on shelled
almonds. For years | Travelled all
over Europe, and the conditions that
the people of Southern Europe work
under no true American would think
OF asking his help to work under
the same, and even IL he wanted to,
doubt II he could get them to.
IF the &c and 12c tariff goes
through | know that the California
almond grower may as we'll grub
out all OF his trees and let the land
lay idle for he will be as far ahead
as trying TO grow almonds with an
inadequate tariff.
Il know that you will do all within
your power for the almond growers
of California, just as you have al
ways fought for the interests of
California, and / also know that
the people Of California are proud CT
you and behind you"
California is an agricultural state.
We must protect our farmers. TeIe.
graph the Senate Finance Committee
today, demanding adequate protection
for California almond farmers.
The difference between four and
twelve cents and five and fifteen cents
In tariff duties spells financial disas.
ter or, prosperity for 1000 California
almond farmers. Statewide support
should rally to their aid.
The members OF the Senate Finance
Committee hold the last hope for sav.
ing the California almond industrv
by adequate tariff protection. Wfra
CalifoKnia's senators today so thar
they may have statewide support in
fighting the almond farmers fight.