New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-01
: ETrERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
.,,,vnurN1s TO THE TARIFF COMMITS
A'ii1-' SLOWS BILL.

ro fhs Edffor or d.he
en-. Tn THE TRIBUNE's article to-day on
GIN - a. congress" are recognized the almost
.! -, demand for an early revision and simphhca-
- enc toria and the fact that it is political neces
-. % the Republican party that this work should DC
dne nv the present Congress- There are great many
eopA who are Indifferent to the partisan needs OF Ine
,,naton who vet are impatient of the many
combinations of the present law simphned anu i''
wrongs and unjust provisions amended not alone IN 'e
interest of special classes but in abroad spirit Oh "t
aud equity to all concerned, consumers as wen "s i
porters aud manufacturers Inc WOIK vi t"o i"iA"
Commission is probably in the main gOOu one Set NOn
cress will make a serious mistake If the Commissions
biitts passed without important amendments iuere
re some changes proposed which, bad as the present
law unauestionaby for the worse not better ana
no permanent advantage Will be gained by the party ana
the men that become responsible for the law, the re-
port should become law
The work before the Commission supposed to be
10 simplify the law where was obscure or needlessy
complcated to reduce the rates OF duty and to equal
ze tho burden of taxation, where inequality existed
WOmen's and children dress goods, etc, are clearly
provided three rates OF duty IN single seeloh OF
the present law and without any uncertainty as 10 the
cassifcaions. Ia the Commissions bill there are slA
sections relating these goods fixing five and possibly
six rates Of duty, with almost certain collision OF TWO
sections and sby third one, as TO classlhcauOns
This is not smplcaOn. The present duty on Worsteu
dress goods is per square yard and 30 per cent
ad vaorem goods costing 20 cents OF less per square
yard and cents per square yard and 40 per cent ad
yaorem on goods costing 20 cents per square yard
The Commission proposes to change tins to IL cents per
square yard and 40 per cent al vaorem on all grades
thus continuing and increasing the gross injustice oil the
system Of compound duties, which the great fault o.
the present law Under this system the lOwestprced
fabrics consumed by the people are taxed NJ TIC
highest rates while the liner goods, worn Dy cher pco
pe pay lowest duty. AT the advanced rate PROPOSED
hy the Tariff Commission, lowprced aH-wO0l oIess
goods will DAY 125 per cent duty, ana tne iae
Will diminish regularly in the inverse ratio 10 the cost
mill The finest goods VIII pay about 90 per cent ms
extraordinary result is caused by the speelhesquIe
yar-duty which Is here. in the present law com,
Iined with an ad val0ren rate, making COMPOUND
duty which has all the Injustice OF specific duty Ahl
sucI uncertainty attaches to an al NalOTen uu'9'
Without fbe real advantages Of either system nIOne.
A very simple amendment which might ne WiltteH III
a single and leave ne doubt as 20 CislAeat
the great source tedious and expensive HisauOus-
and would be just every interest concerneu csueI
manufacturer and importer would TX UNIFORM ~ va
loren duty. The rate be made such as VIII ahOtu
reasonable our industries. nut shOud Dear
equally upOu all classes. III tAS view Tour OF thc u ne
members Of the Tariff Commission, incluilng inc
lamented COOael McMahOn, agreeG-dlsSehtllg Hoin
the report of the majority. No member or lhe C1nls
zion vas more ineligently Industrious ana uhstlhsA I'd
lis desire 60 reach the best possible results than Co9he
McMabon and it Will I've serious misfortune, no hOnc
10 the Republican party but 10 the whole country II
Congress shall again allow the wOollen manu- Screfs 10
make the law. 1CbLlcs'
York &c 1882