The New York herald., 1922-07-05
CALIFORNIA TO gain
MILLIONS BY TARIFF
ON CITRUS PRODUCE
Senator Walsh to Take the
Floor in DenunciatiOn OF
Alleged Favoritism.
BIG BURDEN ON PUBLIC
Committee Accused of Fla
grant Deal to Win Sup
port of Senators.
VAST SUMS FOR THE COAST
Lemons to Cost U. s. House
wives S9,3OO,OOO More
Dates, Olives, Nuts Up.

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, July 4.
The tremendous subsidy granted to
California in the Fordney -McCumber
tariff bill as a means of gaining for
the Senate Finance Committee the
support of the two California Sena-
tors. Johnson and Shortridge. will be
revealed in the Senate tomorrow
when the tariff bill comes up again
for consideration.
The subsidy amounts to millions of
dollars a year on lemons alone, the
extra outlay the American public will
have to make is about $4,000, 900. On
almonds the American people will have
to pay $2,200,o00 more. On walnuts
the increase will be about $960,000.
Higher rates will apply also on such
items as dates. figs, raisins and olives.
Senator Walsh (Mass.), who has been
in charge of the opposition to the agri-
cultural schedule Of which these items
are a part, will make an assault on
Senators Snortridge and Johnson on
the ground that, since they belong to
the Senate agricultural tariff bloc,
these increases are their reward for sup
porting the bill. Due to the influence
Of the tariff bloc the Senate commit
tee increased virtually all the rates
established In the House on California
products
Big Subsidies Pointed out.
trv- IAh - ,ts
for reelection In California. has been
the more active Of the two Senators in
promoting California interests during the
tariff discussion. In telegram recently
he told his constituents he would like to
be at home campaigning, but that 1t was
necessary to remain in Washington for
the time being to make sure that the
California terms IN the tariff bill were
not reduced.
Senator Walsh said tonight: ITO
what extent this industry in southern
California is subsidized at the expense
of the American people can best be
appreciated by comparing the per cent
age of production In California with our
total consumption.
California produces only Is per cent.
of our consumption of almonds, per
cent. Of our consumption of olives. "
Of / per cent. Of our consumption Of
dates, so per cent. or our consumption
of figs. 46 per cent. of our consumption
of walnuts and II per cent. of our con-
sumption Of lemons. AS we must i'm
port in large quantities most Of these
products to supply the demand OF our
people how can we justify an average
increase In tariff duties on these prod
ucts of $50 per cent. over existing law?
THE pending bill will continue the
Il. 4 lie q
pound named in the emergency law OF
1921 on lemons. amounting to s1.12h
per box, or Al cents per dozen, an in
creased duty of 800 per cent. over the
rate in the Underwood tariff law, the
tax under that law amounting to 1 "A
cents per dozen.
Raises Lemons SLIP Box.
THE Underwood rate was the law
from 1913 to 1921 and during that
period the production of lemons In Cali
fornia increased 200 per CEN. II this
industry could profit under tariff
protection Of one-half cent per pound.
equivalent to ~ cents per dozen. how
can an increase of 800 per cent. in the
duty be Justified except as Govern
mental subsidy to the lemon industry
OF California controlled by relatively
few growers organizations. The tax
in this bill will increase the cost of
lemons s1.12Iz per box over the cost
of lemons under the Underwood tariff
law. making the total increased price
which the public will have to pay about
S9.300,000, IL these duties become ef-
fectlve.
THE high duty on shelled walnuts the
confectionery trade estimates will in
crease the price OF the 10000. 900 pounds
imported annually to the amount OF
ss60,000, all of which increased price
will of course be passed on to the con-
sumers.
THE high duty upon shelled almonds
will Increase the price of the 20,00o,o00
pounds imported annually for the use of
the confectioners and bakers to the
amount of $4,000 900. which will also be
passed on to the consumers AS S5 per
cent. of the consumption of almonds
must be imported. how can an Increased
cost through Increased tariff duties
amounting to s2.20o.o00 be justified"