The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-07-23
MANNlNG'S CIRCULAR.
THAT WHICH MAY HELP CONGRESS
REVISE THE TARIFF.
Information 10 Asked Of Manufacturers
Throughout the Country on = subject
Of Interest to Evsrybody-wAsh-
ington-NAtionAl News.

WAbHiNdroN, July Sl,-bocrehry MAN.
ming has caused TO be prepared In the treas
ury a circular Of inquiry which has just
been sent by him 10 prominent manufaotur-
ers aud associations OF manufacturers In diff
ferent parts Of the country, II asks infor-
nation and advice from manufacturers
about the best means TO prevent undervalu-
Ations OF imports and other evAElona OF tho
tariff laws by which homo manufacturers,
believing themselves protected" by high
duties, have greatly and yariously suffered.
The Becretarys intention In lnstltutlng
this inquiry Is 10 secure information by
which tho treasury may DO the better On
abled TO discover and prevent undervalua-
ton Of imports and other forms OF fraud on
the revenue, and also 10 accumulate mass
Of valuable information and suggestions
from the leading manufacturers Of the coun-
try upon the general question OF tariff re'
vision and reformation for tho use Of con-
gresb whom II moets.
Mr.. Randall gave notice In an interview
on May 49, which attracted universal alton.
tion, that In the noIt congroSs ho desired 10
help In reforming tho tariff That declara-
tlon was equivalent 10 an announcement that
both wings OF the Democratic party were
agreed on tart n revision.
II has occurred 10 Secretary Manning that
he may save valuable time 10 congress by
gathering beforehand information from
manufacturers ON certain details OF the tariff
which affect thom, and have IL In readiness
by December, This IL tho purpose OF tho
following inquiryi
"TREAsuRY DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE or THE sEcRETAIIY,
WARRINGTON, ID. O., July II, 1885.
Investigations Of tho methods OF ontry
and appraisment OF imported merchandise
have shown that the tariff laws are largely
oyaded by undoryaluation wherever tho du-
ties are levied ad valorom. A remedy sug-
goIted for this owl Ia tho adoption OF specific
duties.
"With a Wow OF obtaining information on
this subject which may DO useful 10 conf ross
In fiscal legislation, and as an aid In tho i'm
provement In tho customs revenue system, II
Ia deemed proper 10 ask tho advice OF those
directly Interested In tho various industrial
arts OF the country which may bo affected by
tariff legislation, aud which Sifor mere or
loz by reason Of defective methods OF adj
minihtration,
You are, therefore, requested 10 give your
viows an to tho possibility OF simplifying tho
tariff and making the duty specific, 30 far
an applicable 10 imported articles such a.
arc mado or produced In tho Unitod States,
In which you arc Interested arc with which
you arc familiar, with as full information
on tho subject as you may DO pleased TO sub
INST
1T II desirable that, In addition 10 n
schedule showing tho rates OF specific duty
which In your opinion should DO leviod upon
tho various kinds and qualities OF morohan-
disc embraced thOroin, tho information fur
niahod may cover tho following points,
~, Commercial or technical designation
OF the article with sample or samples,
W Cost OF production OF givon unit OF
quantity by weight or measure, with tho
following details as 10 zach kind or quality
OF article, vl1i
"(a), Cost OF materials, character OF pamo
taa, for example, II wool, tho kind Of wooD,
whether OF foreign or domestic origin. II
foreign what part OF tho yaluo represents
duties paid thereon.
10. Cost OF labor In detail, giving each
itcm specifically aud tho rates Of wages
paid.
10, Operating expenses and how dis
tributod.
"Cd, interest
"(c). othor oomOnts Of cost not covered
by the above
~, Description OF buildings and mnohin-
CRY, and amount OF capital invested In zach.
"a II tho foreign article OF similar kind
and quality Ia subject 10 I'D valorom duty,
state an nearly az practicable tho specific
equivalent por givon unit Of weight or
measure.
70 Mention any exceptional element OF
advantage or disadvantage In manufacture
Ing, such IN location OF tho factory, with
reference 10 market or means OF transporta-
ton, accessibility Of supplies, nature OF tho
power or kind OF machinery uacd character
Of labor employed, rates OF wages paid,
amount OF hIoa or exemption from thxos
"You arc also requested 10 forward such
information an you may bo able 10 submit
showing tho rolativo cost OF manufacture OF
tho samo article In tho United States aud In
Europe, particularly with regard 10 tho cost
OF labor m affected by tho rate OF wages paid
In tho dilreront countries, State how much
tho total cost Of giycn unit OF production
In increased In tho United Statca ovor Euro
HNnh w N'hsVh Va IVA
wages paid and the rato Of interest ON oapi-
tai employed,
Estate also 10 what ortcnt, within your
knowledge Of tho special trade with which
your business IL connected, tho present avs
imposing taxos on tho imported article ave
boon ovaded and how the aame can DO COR
reoted, whotbor by specific dui,os or hor-
wise, and 10 what oKtent tho h,mc Ind stry
with which you arc connected has su srod
from this cause
~ Ia mot intondod that your reply shall bo
confined 10 tho form or scope OF the inquiries
above suggested, but you are invited 10 give
tho fullest expression Of your views ON tho
general subject indicated, In such manner
aud form M You may doom bost,
publicity will not bo given 10 onomes, looa-
tion or facts relating 10 tho business OF In.
dividuals or corporations, These win bo
treated m private II 40 desired.
"please reply al your earliest convon moo.
Very respectfully, DANIEL MANNiNo.n
A similar inquiry will bo sent TO ea ling
importers OF merchandise In a few daya
Luoty Mon.
WARRINGTON, July 9l.--With very few
ans kxhiah a. ..At ..a... a.. ,a,aIIad