New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-19

ton at this session, however, would Involve
tremendous responsibility. 1t would proiong
the uncertainty until next winter, WIN the
strong probability that the next Congress Will
bs disposed TO go much further in reduCing du-
ties than either House has yet proposed to go.
Hence il becomes IN, portant to see whether the
Droposihons Oh behalf of the steel interests are
reasonable.
The changes of classification render it impos-
sible to say exactly what the effect OF the
amendment would be. Tie Tariff Commission
proposed on steel ingots, blooms and other forms
covered by the paragraph in question duty Oh
2 cents on all valued at cents pound OF
less: on all valued from to cents, duty
of 2al CENTS; and on all valued at over ceLts'
a duty of 3l2 cents. The House committee
changed the classification and virtually lowered
the rates thereby, as follows On all worth
cents or less. . cents pound; on all from u 10
10 cents 23i cents; and on all over ~ Genus
3lo cents a pound. Mr.. Sherman IN the nam
returns to the classification of the present tariH
No follovs. On all valued at / certs a pound or
less, - per cent from to cents, cents
oound from to 1 cents, 23l cents pound
over 1 cents 3l2 cents pound. In addl'lon'
ON forms of steel not otherwise proVlued Ior,
the present duty il so per cent the House pro-
poscd DO cents the Tariff Commission ) CENTS
and Mr. Sherman proposes 40 per cent. Onuer
the latter clause $5,7l4,512 worth OF goods
were imported last year, but many OF tie more
imnortont forms therein included are certainly
covered by rhe more precise descriptions en-
braced in the other paragraphs of the bills now
pcnding. 80 that the value brought in under the
81 al
probably bc small if either bill should pass But
AS to the articles therein remaining, the ehec'
would be some increase of duty. And the inn
position of high rate here would be Ill ac-
cordance with the sound principle aid down by
the Comm sson, as 1t would tend to prevent lltl-
cation through efforts to get in goods under
the general clause that properly belong III
enumerated classes.
# tbe language of Mr. Sherman's amendment
il correctly telegraphcd, 1t applies not only to
crucihle cast-steel but to all steel inEots and
blooms. Steel blooms, in that case, 1t admits nj
exactly the present rate, - per cent their ay-
craze cost being less than III cents per pound
much below the l-cent limit named by Mr.,
Sherman for the lowest grade. The imports oil
steel blooms last year amounted to 2j2,oOO out
of2lI,O 900 tons of al steel impor led under the
provisions now in dispute; the value was
1922, 0Sl, and the duty paid F2,6Gl.936. As
10 about uineteen-twenJieths OF the steel appar-
entity affected by the amendment, therefore, 1t
is practically q continuance OF the present rate
of duty But this. il will be remembered. IN no
way affects the duty on steel rails, which the
Senate bill greatly reduces, from SIS to SO 40
Der ton. over 10000 tons Of rails were made
last year from imported steel blooms, ami the
manufacturers in this country claim that any
reduction of duty would be dangerous.
As to other grades the amendment compares
with the present tariff a. follows