Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-18
TARIFF ON COPPER
WOULD AID TRADE
Industry Facing Competition
of Low Cost Producers
in Foreign Lands.
BY JOHN F. SINCLAIR.


NEW YORK. october 1s.-Many peo-
pie may wonder why an American COM
pany has acquired the controlling in
terest in the Roam Antelope Mine in
Northern Rhodesia at time when the
prospects for copper prices are not en-
couraging.
The answer is that this company,
which has already put million dollars
In cash and expects to put several mil
lions more into development, has a
property which can produce copper at
rate so much cheaper per pound than
any American mines that it can be
made a most profitable investment,
even in such times as these.
The property, approximately 100000
acres in the center of the RhodesiRn
copper belt, is so rich in ore that COP
per can be produced and laid down in
New York City at considerably less than
10 cents a pound. Selling at 10 cents
a pound, this African company could
compete very favorably with Chile cop
per, now being brought into the Amer
lean market in large quantities.
There is only one difficulty in the
way of its future development on vast
scale and that Is American copper mine
owners may persuade the Government
to put duty of 5 or cents pound
on copper imports in order to protect
American copper production.
Should such a condition be brought
about--and it is very possible because
of the growing agitation for protec-
tive tariff on copper con the free list
now)--both African and South Amerl-
can copper mines would be seriously
affected, not to say anything about the
great copper mines of Canada, just
coming into big production.
Venezuelan OIL.
Venezuela, the second largest oil pro-
ducing country in the world, is con-
sidering a plan to cut oil production
along lines which are being followed in
the mid-continent field. So far, little
practical, results have been obtained,
but for more than year various meet
tngs have been held by the big four"
in an endeavor to work out plan.
This big four" controlling most OF
the production in the country are the
Royal Dutch Shell group, with about
$4,000 barrels production daily; the
an-American, with 10000 barrels
daily; the Gulf OIL Corporation, with
$1,000 barrels, and the Creole Petroleum
Co. with $4,000.
r. @. Stewart, president of the Pan
American. is the leader in a plan to
Cut BtOQUCtAOl dbOub PSA NChbB -
about $4,000 barrels daily.
while two of the companies con-
cerned have indicated that they are
unwilling to reduce their present pro-
duction, the subject remains open for
further negotiations" Mr.. Stewart says.
The overproduction of oil, not only
in Venezuela, but in the United States
as well, will probably bring some DEFINITE
agreement among these four leading
aov.as.a.afar hcforo the heoinni1C 0f the
new year,
Free Trade Fight.
British newspapers continue to make
front-page news out OF the night raging
at the imperial conference between the
forces led by Premier r. B. Bennett OF
Canada in favor of preferential tarin
scheme within the British Empire and
those Of Philip Snowden, British chan
cellor OF the exchequer, who favors bulk
buying from the dominions in return
for preferential duties on British goods
sold to them.
Mr. Snowden and William Graham,
the secretary of the Board Of Trade,
the strong men of the British labor
cabinet are leading the free trade fight
and are opposed to any Fundamental
changes in the fiscal policies OF the
British Empire. But Premier Ramsay
Macdonald and j. II. Thomas are not
50 sure.
Should the Bennett proposals gain
the support of the British government,
It is almost certain that both Chancei-
lor Snowden and Secretary Graham
will resign, causing cabinet crisis ana
another election.
stanley Baldwin, former British Prime
Minister and now Conservative leader.
has come out in favor OF the Bennett
proposals. Free trade versus protection Is
almost sure to become the campaign
issue. The issue will not be stated
quite so BADLY but, nevertheless, the
next British election viii be fougnt
around the whole problem of whether
the British government will forsake the
free trade policy inaugurated 30 years
ago and embark on program OF pro-
lection.
So far as the imperial conference is
concerned. IL looks like a stalemate.
Probably nothing will be definitely de-
cided during the present session:
But plenty of things are under way
and all Of them are fun OF oynanalte'
Green's Challenge.
The demand Of William Green. presi-
dent of the American Federation OF
Labor. that the business and financial
leaders of the United States md a solu-
ton to the ever-recurring problem OF
unemployment or face oire conse-
ouences. received hearty support at the
Boston meeting Of the American ieoera-
ton.
sTt is a reflection on our civilization
fndefensible. morally wrong, socially
disgraceful-that we have 3,OO0.0OO per-
sons in the United States wiling 70
work and yet with no work TO co. says
Mr. Green.
Iabor's solution of the problem pro-
vides for a reduction in the hours Oh
work. establishment Of a Nation-wioe
system Of unemployment exchanges,
stabilization Of industry, efficient man
aren1ent in production and sales policy.
adequate records of employment, use OF
public works to meet cyclical unemploy-
inent and a study of all proposals Tor
relief.
Next week a committee representing
Organized labor will meet President
Hoover and request that national
committee be appointed to put into i'm
mediate effect plans to. relieve the
distress.
for relief measures in every part oil the
country. Plans are already under way
In many cities.
"It is not the unemployment figures
that / am interested in, but the fact
that the morale of a laborer who wants
work and can't find 1t sinks lower each
month. Any man who wants to work
should be given work OF some kind
either by industry or by the State,
said one of Americas largest employers
Of labor to me this week.
More business leaders should have
this point Of view.
(CopyrIght. 1880. by North American News
paper Alliance
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