New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-05
about S32 900 900
ALCOHOL FOR USE IN THE ARTS

- The repeal Of this tax would reduce the surplus
ABOUT $32OO0Oo0.
ALCOHOL FOR USE IN TIE ARTS.
The subject Of cxempting from taxation alcohol i'r
use Ia The arts merits and has received much atteho
IL IS estimated upon careful inquiry that about
ooooOoo gallons OF alcohol annually usei ~ inii
country IN vast nUmtcr of chemical and n"llVih'i
Preparations OF common and neNlul use a. Weil y,
IN many of the important mechanical and indusuit
Nis, IRON winch tax OF -, iOO,OOO j. cOlic"'rh =.
use for these purposes would doubtless be- largely ~
creased were II not for this tax which is Equivalent 10
about 200 per cent OF It's value This Is dlcet ell.
0nerous burden upon Industrial Interests and UPON
tie consumers OF the articles produced TO- when
there now seems to be no necessity or excuse .
As alcohol NAV be exported without the payment 1l
this tax direct and ruinous discrimination Is mauS
in favor of fore gn manufacturers 10 the serious der
ment OF our own Industries.
The proposition to remove this tax. it would SEEM
mses cOm or n ms' to the ayoGs9 o.
iainy should meet with favor from those who deths
,d es a ,hO s %. "oo on on whch Eli TO-
ard the production of which has been stmna'eu W
tho notable benefit of our agricultural interests DS
alcohol. 49,,
The proposition TO exempt alcohol for use IN ths
arts has met with the objection that it would nct9dJ
the difficulty of collecting the taxes on other ds'oi
spirits, but the Senate amendment 10 HouaS ~
0051 Of the last Congress. seems 10 provide the
sary safeguards. Ann,
la case the tax sbonld be removed both nom nom
tobacco and alcohol used in tho arts the rndncSa
effected would be about So 100000. leaving bAA0'
from internal revenue Of about So ,50ooOo
CUSTOMS REVENUE
Reduction in receipts from customs presen" u'
only other advisable means for diminishing the ro'0
nue. This be accomplished
First, nv reduction in rates Of duty upon muse
articles which, by reason of inconsiderate leslsls
ton or changes which have occurred in the develop
ment Of our industries, are found 10 De ,,bch
Second, by increase of rates upon articles WIN r.n
have not been successfully produced here, 6ccaqsS
not Adequately protected the obvious effect OF Mton
Increase would be to stimulate domestic !, q Main
md fri eli I'm "A
that such articles should either be fairly pro'ec'e"
Third By transferring to the free-st articles
which. from climatic other causes, aro nor az, az
cannot be successfully produced here alsa econom
icaly produce In sufficient quantities to meei um
petition with foreign productions, and articles the
production OF which Is OF inconsidera6e importance
HORIZONTAL REDUCTION.
The cases are exceptional under tariff in which
a moderate or reasonable reduction OF rates "ou'u
result in decrease of the revenue. As geherai
rule reduction In tho rates OF duty would increase
mportations In greater proportion than the rates are
reduced and so increase rather than diminish TO
cepts. This would lie the result of any plan OF
horizontal reduction yet proposed: thus horLohla
rruc tion Of 10 or 20 per cent in rates might pst
I'm 90 80 per cent or even greater increase III ~
yOlum, Of imports. The tendency Of this would W
TO largely Increase the surplus, and 10 The eNen "
the reased importatiOnS Ia deprive American "oh
men o. 1e W redce tbe price Of labor The
disastrous effects Of such policy upon the country
would be threef0ld;
First~It would diminish the demand for American
labor ard capital by the amount Of labor and caplia
expended In foreign countries upon Inc prVd'o"oN
of such increased impOrtatlOnS
SecODd-It would withdraw from active circulation
here the money required to pay The duties on M
increased mpOrtaODs, and thus ada 10 inc 'NNs VI
Thlrd-It would largely increase the adverse balance
of trade with foreign countries and contract our cr,
culaton nv the amount of money necessarily ca ported
to meet our increased Indebtedness abroad
TARIFF FOR REVENUE ONLY.
tariff for revenue only cOntemplaes such an ADJUST
ment Of duty a, will yield the largest amount OF revenue
At the lowest rates. It the largest possible
quantity Of importat.ons consistent with the amount
Of customs revenue required to deiray the expenses
II under a protective tariff $500, 1000 OF i'm
portaton, would pay an annual revenue OF @ioOooo,
ooo to produce the same amount a, hall the lae
under tariff for revenue only, would require f60o,'
900 Of mporSionS' me result OF tns poIlcy'
IN the SUPPOSED would DC TO take from Am eon
can producers their home market for 100000 900
of products and transfer II to their foreign competitors
While u would thus deprive our fl, worae1
Of gold 10 pay for foreign labor and material which
should be supplied at home
PRACTICES OF TRADE AFFECTING TARIFF.
tariff based upon the difference in the cost Of labor
and materials IN this and foreign countries will fat,
of its purpose times of overproduction and depres
sion in competing countries. Foreign manufacturers
are compelled 10 maintain their extensive establish
ments In order 10 manufacture az the minimum cost,
and as this the only country that will buy more than
is needed for present demand It becomes. at such
times, the dumping ground for all manufac turlng
Europe For long time past considerable proper
ton. at least Of articles OF certain lines Of impOHa
lions, has been Of this class. They have been sold
here below in fact without regard to. the cost of pro
foreign markets, which they control. for their profit
All these conditions and practices OF trade should 1
be carefully considered IN framing tariff either for
the purposes Of protection or revenue
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
Whatever differences of opinion there may be with
regard TO the best method of dspOsng Of the surplus
revenue. and preventing the accumulation Of money
In the Treasury beyond the proper needs OF the
Government and however diverse may be opinions as
10 tho abstract question of taxation for revenue pur
poses customs and Internal there Is general agree
ment that a revision of the tariff and customs laws
7 Erlcvc II to he the dominant sentiment Of the
country that. in the adjustment OF que t
governing consideration. While there i a wide
divergence of judgment on this proposition, u cannon
we'll be denied that i T. the Ice1 pSe{ e 90 ms as
10 result in the protection OF LABOR eihPloycu III
domestic Industries, from destructive foreign com
one Of the fundamental objects in the levyns OF
dutic, on imports. declared IN the preamble OF ne
first tariff aci pa -scd by Congress in l110. was the
cncnutagrment and protection of Manufactures Inc
doctrine thu, proclaimed La, broadened with our J.
vancnc civilization and growth and lis wisdom Ia,
been demonstrated by tho marvellous de'eopneh' 4, o'
those industries, protected 10y the high dutesi ne.
mande by the necessities Of the Government lnc'deht
II should. however. be remembered that the prime
object I'm the imposition or thcse h!Eh uuurN was
raising Of revenue, and rates we're adjusted 10 tha
end rather than 10 the protection an1 Development
Of domestic industries. 1t came about Therefore;
n AT The measure of protection was caprlcous ana
UNEQUAL and some Industries greatly prospercd.
while Others equally favored by natural resources
and conditions either langushed or failed OF de
velopment.
INEQUALITIES.
The tariff act Of 1888 was hastily considered and
passed While intended protective measure. II
was based On former tariffs and pepetuated many Of
the inequalities and other defects with which those
acts abOunded and which nave not ohH pc,,n
drect y buru TO certain domestic interests but have
afforded opportunities for evasion. and provoked con
slant dispute and litigation. . 49,.
Certain of these INEQUALITIES and defects in the
present law arise also from the changed conditiOhs
of trade and manufacture since its enactment
APPEALS AND SUITS.
Uniformity Of assessment at the several ports ana
often as between importers Of Ike merchandise at the
same ports has not been secured. Doubts as 10