New-York tribune., 1874-11-12
TARIFF REVISION.


The members Of the drug, paint, oil, and
dye trades yesterday afternoon at tho Chamber OF
Commerce take the invitation OF the Cham
Der to render assistance in the proposed revision OF ne
tariff on such articles dealt In by the trade d.
G. Robbins OF the firm OF McKcsson Robbins, was
called the chaIr and addressed the meeting In the
main as follows:
the present movement for reform on the part
tie Chamber OF Commerce because this subject mas
that tho before and the relation that the trace
In drugs chemicals. &c., bears to he whole income rom
customs may be better understlOd, beg To submit
few important facts In connection with the suhlect;
the the rate OF dus, taxation on all
wan cd and the protective pOCy had hcen Limited Dy
the celebrated compromise between Clay ana Canonn
whereby On agreement was made that the maximum Oh
protection should be gradually reduced 10 ~ per cent.
rne average customs taxation on all Imports 10 1901 was
This average in 1861 and II was higher In ls6f
than at previous period In the history Si t4e &
the income OF tho Government was deemed ex'
cessive, and reduction OF del'es RsS RsSenne. u
David A. Wells. who made an elaoorate IePor-' P,oc-
This matter received attention IN the latter prt o i5O
when the American PharmaceuIists' Assocatlon ap-
pointed committee Of i've To examine ana report upon
this subject 1t found that, while the st OF VI
of ali the enumeratons In the tariff the total revenue
derived from these articles was less than seven per oS
of the entire from customs. The toal recelps
from customs from oil commodities III LOO. ma' non
$7s7, ,siO and from drugs ana chemicals only @
IL was further asceraincd that the average outy on
crnde materials or those goods which solely the
products OF nature exceeded may oI and
of these tine variety was 80 great while the qusnsy VI
most imported commoditics was so lII I issa rsduc
OF customs TO tho extent or sJOOJOOVU was
mined upon of this reduction there allowed TO the
department drugs. chemicals, etc., s2oOOVO or apoue
eight per cent on 3O00OOOO III accOIdauce WI hc
we're submitted the aim being enlarge the free list as
far as possible disturbing any policy for whlch
purpose crude substances or products Oh atnIe Wei
selected The most important revision OF the tarf,
which was passed July H. 1870 and took effect on jan
1871 may said to DC the beginning OF reVehne reform
IN our country AS all previous discussions about tatn
matters had special Interests or were ds
putes about particular policies ,
!, "a rs 70 The denlrtneut of drugs aud chemicals,
but this should be materially increased, as deal OF
hhsh remains and our tariff is full OF consisences
because no attempt has been made to classify articles or
reduce ad vaOrem duties to SPECIFIC rates our depart
mani ia little understood among officials Of the Govern
ment, and technical disputes ABOUT the nature OF com
modtles constant Our whole dutlaoie isG 10 ,no
only OF much importance that contains aa va1ru t
rates and long these remain fair collection OF the
revenue alike the interest OF the merchane anu the
Government, is Impossible. CONSISTENT
policy for materials are taxed protection
is nulod Further to tax raw materials Is ~ eXc,ude
our manufactures from all foreign markets. aud as
porous under such restrictions. With no market for
surnius ali experience proves that it necessary
control or limit the product Of the home market, and
hence combination results because inns becomes q
necessity while tho Interest," OF the consumer demands
free petition. Tue free s should be Increased ana
ad yalorem duties should DO reduced 10 peclc laeS aS
lar as possible
its uses as nedcameD aud in the arts and needs or
life Is aXseed oil, which Is solely product OF nature
raw material and yet nl5 commodity Is treated III our
tariff as q manufacture and subjected 10 enormous
duties the extent Of about 10 per ceu The imposition
OF tax upon raw lnseed Is even more absurd tnan the
duty upon the expressed OIL nSeed oil for the preser
yatiOn Of wood necessary lumber, and revenue
should always be obtained from articles OF luxury Or
waste, never from implements or permanent invest
ments because in these instances you tax Industry ana
increase the cost OF living permanently Lnseed or
axseed pays specific duty or 20 cents per bushe. and
while this plant produces superior fDer In Europe ana
America East India product Is specially rich ln oil
the average yield for bushe OF American haxseed is 10
pounds Of OIL Ot India, IS p0und diereace OF 20 per
cent which is sought 10 be overcome ny legislation OI
course the folly OF contest with natural laws should
be apparent.
Robbins concluded by recommending that list be
made the articles which should be admitted duty Free
and that their efforts should be directed toward eectng
a change from ad valorem to specific rates wherever
practicable. Remarks were made by f. w Deyoe, Mr.
Austin and others, and 1t resolved that committees
representing the interests, such manufac
turers importers and dealers in drugs linseed OIL white
lead acids chemicals, paints colors. etc., should report
at a meeting to be called by the Chairman.