The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-29
MKINLEYS TARIFF BILL.
THE EFFECT OF ITS PROVISIONS
ON FRANCE.

Minister Reid Points Out That tt
Operations Are Not So Detrimental
TO the Sister Republic as has Beer
Claimed-The Exporters Aroused in
the Discussion.
PARIS, Nov. 2S.-Pursuing throughout
France an inquiry into the operation Of th,
KcKinley tariff similar to that the result
of which in Great Britain and Germany
have already been published, the Associated
Press has obtained q varied mass OF in.
formation. In an interview with Hon
Whitelaw Reid, United States minister. be
said: "When you come TO analyze it care.
fully, you will find that most of the outcry
in France against the Mckinley tariff
should really be directed against the GUS
toms administrative bill. Many Of
the most important French industries
have not been affected in the slightest de.
gree by our new tariff. On many classes OF
silk goods, for example, the advances are
inappreciable, and in some Of them, on
which the heaviest advances were made, the
importations have actually increased.
"a BEGGARLY DOLLAR"
"There is no advance at all on wines, ex-
cepting beggarly dollar dozen on cham
payne. Some of the most important de-
creases in expectation are actually articles
on which the Mckinley bill made
no change in duty. The cause
for such decreases must then of
course he looked for elsewhere. The admin
istrative bill, however, has compelled, in
many cases, much higher valuations than
hitherto prevailed, and this for a time has
doubtless deranged the operations Of some
exporters; while pew.formalities and more
rigid enforcement of the legal requirements
ct the consulates have at first provoked a
great deal of discomfort and complaint.
FRANCE THE LEAST AFFECTED.
ga year ago. in answer to constant COM
plants about the Mckinley bill, | assured
the minister of foreign affairs that France
was really less affected by it than any of
Its chief European rivals. Judging from the
debate in the Senate the other day the
government is now thoroughly CON-
vincsd of this fact. It is true that
the duties on the most important exports
from France have not been sufficiently adj
vanced to destroy trade. although the ex-
portation of such articles as the United
States can manufacture are certainly some
what checked. There are no such advances,
however, in the Mckinley bill as in the
French tariff voted last summer by the
chamber and now In process OF being in-
creased by the Senate. This tariff shows
repeatedly on articles Of prime necessity an
advance of 200 or 300 per cent. over
existing duties. II there is any such ad-
vance in the Mckinley bill on any impor-
tant articles of French expectation, l have
not seen it. Where such advances are
gradually made, business may sometimes
adjust itself TO them, as 1t has in the case of
many Of our highest duties. but when they
are made at one step. their natural effect Is
to paralyze trade"
AN EPIToME OF REPORTS.
Minister Reds remarks epitomizs the re-
ports obtained from the American consuls
at the principal manufacturing and ex-
porting cities in France. Statements from
some business men as TO the details are here
quoted. M. van Bergen Of Paris, who an
nually exports to the United States textile
goods to the value OF 50, 900, 900 francs,
stated: 1.-THE new tariff hos not greatly in
1ured our trade in high class goods.
Our business In the cheaper goods
has diminished considerably. However, on
account of the stagnation Of trade, the work
people have worked at starvation prices and
manufacturers have consequently been able
to sell goods at prices which permit their
being landed in America at about the same
price as previous to the passing of the McKin-
~
mistake; the tax is higher on low grade
goods than on high, and the laboring
classes have to pay the increase OF duty.
Cheap tissue manufactured in France for
say 20 cents cannot be sold in New York for
less than 40 cents. 1t is not the millionaire
who pays the difference, but the poor
man, against whom the tariff is
exclusively directed for the benefit
OF few manufacturers The
new administrative bill, on the contrary,
has my entire approval; it has remoy ed
Illicit; competition, the Issue we had to con-
tend with from undervaluation."
CHEAP PEARL BUTTONS AFFECTED.
NJ. Parent, president of the chamber Of
manufacturers Of buttons and trimmings,
said: "The Mckinley tariff has not greatly
affected these industries excepting in the
case of the manufacture OF cheap pearl but
tosas, which has been paralyzsd. In this
instance the tariff is prohibitive toward
cheap goods and does not affect high-class
articles"
NJ. lie Montrere, one of the largest ex-
porters of fancy goods, stated: "The trade
In fancy goods has already suffered
enormously from the Mckinley bill, which
will have deplorable effect on the rela-
dons OF France with the American nation.
NJ. Charles, q big exporter Of milliners'
articles, declared: 1.-THE Mckinley bill has
reduced the expectation of mIlliners' acces-
series by at least 4n per cent, but we are
not fretting ourselves about the matter in
commercial circles, as the general opinion
prevails that the United States will not
maintain the new tariff more than a year
or two.
Manufacturers of all kinds Of goods into
which wool enters in any shape, are unani-
nous In their complaints against the Nc
kinley tariff bill, and those interested in
glass IN any of its forms are OF a similar
way OF thinking. One glass manufacturer
who exported largely prior to the Mckinley
bill, says that for the last eighteen months
MS agent has not taken a single order in
New York"
snail the New Asphalt Pavement Be
More Even Than the Old One?
sAvANNAH, GA, Nov. 28.-Editor Norm