St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-15
TONNAGE DUES.
n Message Bearing on That Sub
ject Sent to Congress by the

n Message Bearing on That Sub
ject Sent to Congress by the
President.
Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE presi-
dent to-day sent to congress a message
without recommendation, but accom-
panied by letter from Secretary Bay
ard and large batch of correspondence
in regard to differential tonnage dues.
Secretary Bayard reviews at great
length the history of legislation affect
ing tonnage dues; gives the correspond
ence that has passed between the
United States and foreign countries in
regard to it, and refers to the fact that
the claim of Sweden and Nor
way for a refund of duties
is based upon clause in a
treaty between that country and the
United States, which provides that
neither country shall pay in the ports
of the other higher rate OF tonnage
duty than the vessels of that country.
In 1927 the secretary recites that
Sweden and Norway had two rates of
duty, as the United States now has
secretary of state, insisted that United
States vessels should be allowed to come
in at the lower rate of duty. After
much correspondence on the subject
the government of Sweden and Norway
acceded to the request of Mr.. Clay, and
refunded all dues collected in excess of
the lower rate. After the passage of
the Dingley bill establishing two rates
Of tonnage dues. viz: Three cents per
ton on each vessel entering the ports
of the United States, not to exceed
15 cents per annum for each vessel
entering from Canada. West Indies and
South American countries, and double
this amount for vessels from other for
eign countries-Sweden and Norway
made application to have their vessels
admitted at the
LOWER RATE OF DUTY,
and for refund of all tonnage dues col
lected in excess of the lower rate. Mr..
Bayard recommended this. but the COM
missioner of navigation held, to whom
the secretary of the treasury referred
the recommendation of AIR. Bayard for
report, that the commissioner OF nayiga-
ton was by law created sole and final
judge ION all questions relating to the
collection of tonnage tax and to the
refunding of such tax when
collected" Commenting on this au-
thority of the commissioner of
navigation, Secretary Bayard suggests
that the law should be amended SO that
the secretary of state should have a
''yoice in the decision of treaty and
cognate international questions" Sec
rotary Bayard points out that Germany
ahd the Netherlands have abolished ton
nage'dueS to American vessels, and have
made demands for a refund Of dues.
Other obstacles are pointed out, such as
when vessel comes from one country
and stops Ell route to the United States
and the tonnage rates of these countries
are dissimilar which rate, the higher or
lower, should be charged. In conclu-
sion, Secretary Bayard says:
In regard to questions raised by the claims
of various governments under their treaties
with the United States for 3-15 rate of tom
mage duty, the undersigned begs to suggest
that the present condition of matters would
be greatly simplified. if not by the abolition,
at least by the equalization of tonnage duties
on the basis OF q uniform charge of 3-15
cents, and this without reference to any
question of treaty construction. in respect to
which q specific recommendation for reasons
stated has already been made. Such an
equalization of duties would extend the same
relief to commerce with all parts of the world
as has already, by the acts of 1884 and 1886,
been offered to commercial Intercourse with
in certain geographical areas
This change in the law having been
effected. the invitation for reciprocal
abolition of dues would still remain as
an offer of yet more liberal treatment
Oh the most advantageous basis of
this country. In this way the
interests of our commerce would
be subserved and the gov
eminent would enjoy the additional adj
vantage of having so adjusted its laws
as to be free from future demands based
upon its conventional agreements, and
from the necessity of claiming for
them less liberal construction than the
other high contracting parties are will
ING tO admit