New-York tribune., 1886-07-21
TO AMEND THE CUSTOMS LAWS.
AN EFFORT TO SAVE PART OF THE HEWITT BILL
ITS PROBABrE EFFECT.

ITS PROBABLE EFFECT.
WASHINGTON July 20 (SDeciaD.-Stron2 ef-
forts making by the friends OF the Hewitt bill to
save the warehouse provisions OF that measure and
tbore seems TO be some prospect OF success Mr'
Hewitt reluctant separate the warehouse sections
from the remainder OF the bill, but Will con-
sent TO do The matter waa mentioned
In the meeting OF the Ways and Means
Committee to-day and 1t was agreed TO consider the
proposition at the regular meeting Thursday II is
understood that members Of the committee arc In
to the effect OF the measure upon the e1poia
tion and remportaton OF distilled spirits. and they de-
sire an opportunity to look into the matter. IL
is said that to allow reimported spri's
to remain three years In customs warehonses
without requiring payment OF part OF the tax or
duty will stimulate expectations TO avoid the payment
OF internal tax and that one OF tho conse-
ouences will that the payment OF tax on large guam
titles OF disuled spirits will he postponed Tor three
years In other words although Congress mas epea'eu
ly refused to extend the bonded period OF wsssey an
extension will be obtained by virtue of the opinion Of
Attorney General Garland as interpreted by Acting
Secretary Fairchd and carried into effect under his Ill
struclons.
Ia less than six months more than 7'ooo'ooo gahohs
of whiskey bonded for expectation but the taxes
on more 900 gallons paid before fhe er-
piration Of the percentage allowed in which to make
actual shipments. while about 1.4O0,ooO gallons
were actually exported In other woros. to SECURE
delay OF few months in the payment OF ak the owners
OF gallons found 1t fortheir interest
they sd To export It, and the owners
100000 gallons actually did export 10 IN order 10
Obtain privilege OF having remain Tor one year IN
warehouse without payment OF duty after II should be
Mr. Hewitt admits that the Effect OF his ware
house provisions might be To stimulate expectations for
purpose OF reimporatOn but hs does not admit That
that would bs evil On the contrary. he contends
that 1t would be a policy. To TRIBUNE corre-
spnndent Mr.. Hewitt said:
1T would be great deal better to have the whiskey
exported and romporied. and stored IN our own ware
houses bv American citizens, than TO nave
1t remain I'm foreign warehouses. at ST. Thomas
and elsewhere, and have foreigners reap the
benefits Of storage until the spirits mud market mere
think that the bonded period for whiskey should he
extended as oag possible. 1t ought not to be re,
ouired pay until IL into consumption, ana
favor OF the repeal OF the present law on that
subject belleve a tax on production 10 wrong IN
principle Turkey is the only country in the world,
except the United States,in watch such tax s imposed
When was travelling in that count nv saw man one
d sy cutting down olive tree near the roadside. L
and asked hm through the Interpreter why ne
did that lie replied tnat the tax upon the tree eK-
vans OF It's products and thereiore he had
decided The tree in order To get ri OF hp tax
Yes know Congress has refused to repeal the law re-
curing payment OF tho whiskey tax within three
years time spirits produced and aiD In
favor of any means practicable to escape ffom the
tyranny of that law" ~
II remains te whether a majority OF tho WAYS
and Means Committee and or the House Will agree Win
MIR. Hewitt IN regard TO this matter