New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-27
pRSroRTNG LAW.

The first decision by the Treasury Depart
ment in disputed questions Of tariff CONSTRUCTION
relates 10 a matter not OF the largest fmpor-
lance, and yet sufficient to show that new
hand holds the reins. So clearly y the pfin'
ciple enupciated which ought 10 govern In such
cases that while other decisions may be awaited
with more or less impatience, there will be felt
greater confidence In their ultimate accord with
the shaping and controlling intention OF tho
law. The case in question concerns broken
wool tops" preparation Of thoroughly cleaned
and partially manufactured wool ready for use
In further manufacture, which had been i'm
ported "a waste. and on which 1t was claimed
that the duty should be only 0 cents per pound.
Under the recent decision Of Eew-York court,
Treasury officials say, great quantities OF wool
have been thus imported rs waste, but the Col
lectOr respected the obvious intent Of the law
in his decision, and upon appeal to tho score
taryt his decision Is now sustained by Treas
ury ruling.
The immediate effect Is only TO stop one Of
the leaks through which foreign fine wool, COM
pletely secured and partly manufactured, has
been introduced to compete unfairly with the
product Of American WOO. grATers. Numerous
other forms of evasion have yet to be stopped
by Treasury decisions before the law can be
enforced according 10 its intent for the protec-
ton of producers Of wool, but the industry
affected thereby Is one Of the most important,
and the value at stake is very large, The de-
oision will deservedly attract attention far more
for its declaration Of principles han for the
Importance OF the interests immediately affect
ed, and Secretary Window therein says; " The
merchandise Is pot woollen waste within the
proper meaning Of that term as used in the
Tariff acts (par. 36l) where II occurs in con-
nection with rags shoddy, mungo and 8Ocks' ,
4. refuse material resulting from the
| various processes OF woollen manufacture. .
Itis clear 10 my mind that the said merchandise
Is In fact wool, advanced beyond secured con-
didon and suitable for immediate use, and Is
therefore wool imported in other than the ordi-
nary condition in which wool was imported at
the time Of the passage Of the act Of March 9,
| 1882 II Is therefore held to be dutiable at
twice the rates prescribed for secured wool.
Here II is made as plain az possible that the
intention Of the act must govern. The multi.
| tude OF new classihcations and names, that
| have been contrived for no other purpose than
| 10 eyade the duties which the act was meant TO
| impose will all be swept aside as mere attempts
TO defraud the Government, by the simple refer
ence to the state Of things existing and con-
templated when the laW was enacted. What
Congress then intended IL is now the recognized
duty Of the Executive Department to enforce as
accurately as possible. II, in great number Of
| cases, the constructions adopted by the Treas
ury Department for the last four years has
been calculated to defeat the law such decisions
will be reversed as fast as Secretary Window
applies the principles now enunciated.
The questions TO be examined and decided
are many, and they affect imports which have
Swelled in recent years TO the value Of many
millions yearly. Thus, the imports Of = rags,
shoddy, mungo, waste and flocks, woolen,n in
1882 were only 100000 pounds, valued at
S848,0 600, but In the last fiscal year over
100000 pounds were imported valued at
$3.50, 900, while in only seven months Of tbe
current fiscal year ending January 81, the Inn
ports under the same designation have amount
ed TO 1898, 900 pounds, valued at 81 ,8S 9, 900.
No argument Is needed TO show that such an In
crease Is fraudulent--th hat 1t ~ In fact the re-
suit OF a defeat Of tho law by which partly
| manufactured wool has been introduced as
waste in order to eyade the duties which the
law was intended TO impose The difference
In duties thus faudulently evaded ,soiid seam
10 have been more than s2,eoo,eeO In saystl