New-York tribune., 1878-05-04
TNDERYALUATIONS or SILK.

DIFFICULTIES DUE TO THE AID NALOREM TARIFF.
10 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: We crave permission briefly to con-
slider the report the alleged silk undcryaluation5 no.
tced in your issue Of Saturday That the two celebrated
American houses referred IN article longer i'm
port European silks is statement not justified by the
facts The first mentioned firm is regularly quoted as
operating in the Lyons market. while the other has
probably never imported largely OF silks as lately
IL is also said that foreign manufacturers refuse to sell
To American merchants, and will only make contracts to
deliver them goods. duty free in the United States.
Ths NAV be true OF few makers who have established
agencies here but the Others and their name Is legion
are always ready and eager to execute orders from
American dealers in good credit represented by an
approved local commission agent
The whole difficulty from the ad valorem nature
Of tho tariff, combined with Dersstently declining
market the latter being the direct result Of oyerproduc
ton Until about 1871 values were either rising or
nrm the Western Eastern merchant found no din
Guilty in realizing profit and complaints about under
valuations unhedrd Bat since then the market has
almost unnterruptedly declined, and purchases, MS
rule have been unprOhtable Dealers here ordering
goods TO be manufactured IN Europe have invariably
fonnd that when the time for delivery the market
was already below their ordering price, and so they
have become dsglsed and have gradually fallen off In
their orders The manufacturers, reluctant to shut
down. and lose control OF their skilled wOrkmen have
continued 10 produce and In default direct custom
ers have consigned their goods here for sale The law,
which permits these c0nsgnors invoice their at
The values ruling on the day OF shipment gives them
| manifest advantage to duties, on falling market
because their direct customers whose prices were made
three or four months earlier required, purchas
ers invoice at the prices agreed The truth Is that
everybody concerned In handling foreign silks, except
the commission agents and such retailers buy only
from hand mouth have lost largely for several years,
the manufacturers most OF all and II Is still matter OF
notorious daily for importers TO sell lots OF
silks which do not permit them To render TO the man
| ulacturer the equivalent OF bis consular invoice.
With ex0rbitant tariff frequent misrepresenta-
tions of value cOnsgnors and importers are to
be expected but do not think that many silks so mis-
represented succeed in escaping adjustment III the APP
| prasers department With regard 10 the scrutiny
exercised In the silk division believe the examiners
WORK s as well done confused tariff Will permit
be- so long duties assessed on the ad yaiore
plan there Will DO these difficulties It, therefore, DehOVes
every wemeanng importer earnestly TO urge change
specific basis for piece dry goods, especially SILKS
such change is perfectly feasible, In spite OF algu
mcnts the contrary and would largely increase the
revenue while lessening tho expenses and labor oi
| collection. Very respectfully, ~
Noic- York, April, %, 1873.