New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-30
THE LEATHER TRADE LITTLE AFFECTED
ADVANCED DUTIES ON WINES.

ADV ANILD ~ llIso O.N hlNbo'
In anticipation of the higher duties on wines the
principal importers have gwen notice of an advance
OF 50 "A dozen in the price OF champagncs. which
will 20 into effect simultaneously with the new
tariff The increase in duty will be 81 dozen, but
the allowance under the former law. of per cent
for leakage and broakage, has been abolished. THIS
and the trade discounts make the advance in price
not much greater than the increase in duty.
Iouis Saviour, Of Frederick de Barry & Co..
agents of G. II. Mumm & Co. OF Roims, said when
spoken TO bya TRIBUNE reporter on the subject /:
. The action OF Congress so unexpected that We
were dumiounded ut the change in the duty The
importers had friends IN Washington to look after
their interests hut somehow there seems to have
been no opposition 20 the new rate OF course We
tslepraph-d to France to have much WINE rs pos
sIble shipped us at once but champagne wines can
not be hurried very greatly. Our importstions
since January are 57.1lS cases; last year at the
same time they were 80 $50 cases. This wine IA all
sold but our customers have bought somewhat IN
advance Of their wants In consequence of the new
tariff II Is sold but not all is consumed, aud prob
ably our business will lie slack IN July aud August
We imported nearly $4,000 cases last year and
am sure that We shall exceed that amount this
year -,
trip To California. In reply to the inquiries OF the
reporter he said "Whatevcr may have been tho
purpose of Congress the higher duty will hardly
luCTeuSe tile consumption Oh ubulohllC
One Of tho largest VINE growers In california.
whom charged, In 4 testing way, with having so
cured this legislation stated that he did not expect
to derive any benefit from it, American wines hays
an earthly taste; they lack the delicate flavor
which distinguishes French wines. lt may nc that
one of these days growers may learn how To pro
soil or tho climate and they have not ledrned how
10 treat the vines properly. The increased duty
NAV have been laid with view to protecting
American growers. but do not think IL Wiu inter
,,,tt ifnn nfta 1T IN Of fine foreign Wines"
HIGH RATES ON WORKS OF ART OPPOSED.
Among no largest importers of fine paintings and
similar works OF art into this country is the firm OF
NJ Knoedler & Co.. the successors Of Goupil Co.,
at Fifth-ave. and Twenty-sec0nd-st. julius
Knoedler Junior member Of the firm, was found by
a TRIBUNE reporter turning over rare engra'ngs In
one of the rear rooms OF the establishment he
spoke tn spirit about the change In tho tariff on
oil paintings and sculpture from 10 to 80 per cent
"Its bad" he said, very bad. 1t Will result In
no good 10 tho customer. TO the dealer or to the
Custom House. 1t will DO bad for the customer be-
CAUSE the price OF any foreign painting he really
wishes will be so considerably increased that lie
will think he can't pay the price unless he ID very
rich 1t will be bad for the dealer because his sales
will be much smaller. and 1t will not increase the
revenues OF tho country because so much smaller
number of paintings will 10 brought over that the
amount OF duty paid will actually amount TO loss
than il did at 10 per cent"
"How will it affect American artists !" was asked
1Tbe answer to that" Mr.. Knoedler replied, " 10
indicated by the disposition and sentiments OF the
American artists themselves. Ihey ought them,
al vas In know best what Ia to their interest and
there can scarcely one of them DO named of any re-
puts who Is not thoroughly opposed to the Increased
tariff When the matter before Congress,
petition was circulated and signed, think. by all
Of the most prominent of them asking that the rate
be reduced from 10 20 some lower percentage
What was their disgust then 10 find Instead, that
the duty actually was raised 20 per cent Inc
hest artists feel that 1t is an unworthy lmputation
upon their merit that they are not able Freely 10
coDpete with foreign Dainlers and sculptors. Ihey
are satisfied too with the general range oil prices
winch they receive. They can get higher prices
here than they can In Europe.
we 0nrseiyes probably shall not suffer much
from tho change IN tho rates for tho present at oil
events Because of the proposed change. we have
taken the precaution to select and import O mucn