New-York tribune., 1878-05-24
TILE TREASURY C0MMISI0NS YORK.
QUESTIONS AFFECTING TIE SILK AND SUGAR
TRADES CONSIDERED.

QUESTIONS AFFECTING TIE SILK AND SUGAR
TRADES CONSIDERED.
The alleged undervaluatiOns of silk goods
and the possible remedy were again discussed 0T the
Treasury Commission yesterday Tho witnesses were all
domestic silk manufacturers, and among them we're
Robert HamI of Hdmil & Booth; a. B. Strange, OF
Strange Brothers.; Charles Il. Pelgram, Of Pegram &
Meyer; Jonn n stearns, Of ]. y. Stearns X Co.;
F. w. Cheney OF Cheney Brothers aud Robert simon.
Mr. Pegram IN his testimony, said that many manu-
faeturers and dealers in favor Of specific duty or
a certain amount per pound He thought that such
duty would weigh very heavily upon the low grades OF
silk goods and would not DO practicable with The fine
classes He suggested that such tariff should be sup
pemented by grading silks according TO che number Of
threads contained inch, and In proportion rs the
silk goods contained threads per inch the amount
charged per pound should be raised He mad given this
question much study and believed such a system
would be fair both 10 importer and the Government
and underyaluatiun would be almost impossible. He
had carefully tested plan at his manufactory in Pat
erson n. j., with silk pieces and ribbons. He claimed
that 1t would greatly simplify affairs in the Custom
House save the employment OF merchant appraisers
and prevent the detentions OF which merchants COM
pained, while any disputes as to texture could De
readily decided by experts. Mr. Pelgram said that
specific duty per pound without the supplementary plan
would almost prevent the importation Of low grades oi
goods aud would be inadequate with those OF hne
quality For instance, the importer might puy 10"
grade OF goods bt ~ to 90 francs ko and tine
goods at so 50 francs kiO They would weigh
nearly same and would pay the same specific duty on
the bound the plan proposed would bear equally on all
grades OF goods Mr. Pelram explained that TINS system
was really the basis OF manufacture at present. II
n merchant with sample and inquired the cost OF
1000 piece this would be estimated by the number OF
threads. The aborers paid throughout the world
on this system lie said that the plan hal be n submit
TED to the silk Association and met with much iaNOr
THIS plan was discussed by the other witnesses, who
not express any positive opinion OF its merits, Dut
sermed look upon IL with some favor lhey Thought
that a specitc duty Of some kind required
Mr. Lambert, Of Dexter, Lambert y Co.. was also sum-
mOned to attend, but could not DO present yesterday
In conversation with TRIBUNE reporter he SAID tnat IN
his opinion a specific duty the only one that could
be adopted 10 advantage. Tho ad v1lOrem duty was
good in theory, but not in practice. lie dd NOT think
that plan OF Mr.. Pelgram would be praetlcaoe e
would suggest before the commission mat th5ee Glasses
Of gOOdsribbOns dress ks, and satns ana NelNeis
should be designated and specific duty per pOuhI
should be LEVIED upon them These three classes would
include lhreeuuaTters OF the dutable SILK goods WIN
lighter goods acs etc. he should suggest that the ao
ynlorem duty should be continued SPECIFIC duty
would not be practicable with all classes OF goods lie
should also suggest commission that In disputes
as 60 valuation this should De determined by estimating
the cost material IL was easy 10 ascertain tue cost OF
the material aud by adding To this 50 cent Wits low
grades goods and 25 cent with tue Others for the
cost Of labor market value Inc claimed would be hXed
upon which the Government would not lose per cent
n n wear.