The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-03
TIE Duty ON CIGIRS.
rmporters Suggesting Two Plans for the Re-
modelling OF the Tarlf.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 3O.--Some important
suggestions will be made to the Ways and
Means Committee within few days by u num-
ber of the largest importers of Havana cigars
in this country. They will propose two plans
Tor remodelling the tariff ON imported cigars.
First. uniform duty Of ~. 50 per pound. This.
thoy say. Is an cxorbitanl tax. bu, ii would re-
suit in largcr importation of first-class cigars.
and keep out the common brands. Ninety per
cent Of the Havana cigars now imported are
interior brands and lytcn per cont first class.
They pay an average duty ~ 1925 per thou
sand the iirst-class paying sj5 If the simple re-
duction otthe twenty-five per cent. duty he made.
mono but nrst-cass cigars would be imported
and pay a duty Of $3.50 per thousand rs their
average weight would be fourteen pounds per
thousand. The increase in importation would
exceed the present receipts. while the actual re-
duction of duty would be only about ~ per
thousand. This duty would give the same pro-
lection that the manufacturers OF Havana cigars
in the United states now have under the exist
ing duties.
The second proposition is to make uniform
tariff of ,sl.5O per pound on ali Iiayana cigars
imported At this rate cigars would pay about
s2l per thousand. This rate would still leave
Il margin in favor Of the manufacturers OF Ha-
Nana cigars in the United States of about $12 2j
per thousand. The actual duty Of thirty-flyc
cents per pound on leaf tobacco would be re-
duccd to twenty-five cents per pound. because
with fine imported cigars at lower prices cigars
made in the United States Of Havana tobacco
would be sold cheaper. and their consumption
would be largely increased. The manufacture
OF cigars from American tobacco would not be
Injured, because the cheapest cigars which
could be imported from Havana would cost s62
per thousand. while the American cigars cost
less than SIS per thousand. II Is "A well known
Tact that the manufacture Of cigars in this coun-
try has improved the quality Of our domestic
crop OF tobacco to such an extent that the great
majority of consumers prefer a good domestic
cigar To the cheaper grade of Havana cigars.
In regard 10 the duty on paper cigarettes an
important suggestion Is madc The duty and
revenue tax ON cigarettes prevents largely the
importation OF these goods and paralvzes nm
important industry. The duty l. $3.50 per
pound and the revenue tax sl1j per thousand
equal To one cigar. and the duty should he the
same. say tIJo per pound. and the revenue tax
- per thousand pncks Of twenty-five cigarettes
each. Such modification Of the tariff and tax
cigarettes in the United States. and. To n large
extent, stop the free manufacture which is now
carried on nv smokers, VINO buy line cut tobacco
and cigarette paper and make their own cigar
cnuc tax Tho law should also bc modified so
as To permit manufacturers to have their
Cigarettes made outside their factories.
Ihls would give employment To n
great number OF women and children. many
OF whom could do the light work in their idle
hours and IN the family circle. THIS is the way
Havana. All classes Of people make them.
soldiers AT their barracks, women at their
homes, and children from six years and up
ward. The hernandez factory in Havana. which
occupies whole square with it, buildings. does
not make sinE" cigarette within It's walls. tut
cuts tobacco. makes labels and packs cigarettes
] cigarettes were also allowed to be- exported
in drawback, the -HrdIiug- of oar UtauuftGtorins
could be utilized and large export trade in
cigarettes could he built M. because markets
Tor thls class OF cheap goods can readily be found.