New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-12
THE DUTY on HIDES.
SECRETARY RUsK's RECOMMENDATION WAS ONLY
TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

TO ENFORCE THE LAW
Washington, Nov. IL (special}- secretary Rusk did
not seem to feel greatly disturbed when Trib-
une correspondent called his attention the following
Dispatch dated at Boston and published In The WASH
ingon POST OF yesterday
During the present week a number OF prominent
Boston business interested in the boot ana shOe
trade will send to President Harrison indignant pro
test against the idea OF secretary Ruk in regard to the
duty on hides. This protest will assure MIN tat II
he follows out TINS policy OK secretary hu9 lng gI
delegate from New England In the National ConVenuoh
Il guess remarked the Secretary. " that there IS
some misunderstanding about this matter My recon-
mendation in regard TO the duty hides is simply
that the law OF Congress be enforced with respect 10
countries which impose duties and other exacons upon
the agricultural and other products OF the United states
which, In view OF the generous action OF Congress ID
regard TO their products unequal and unjust mat
is all there is OF it. Here is exactly what said
The large quantities Of hides which being shipped
10 the United states from foreign countries ana aro
tion in the prices realized for hides Of domestic pro
duction. This has had marked tendency towau
aGeRtIs added to the burdens Of our agricultural
population. | would therefore most earnestly recon-
mend that the duty provided for in section 3 OF an
act to reduce the revenue and equaze duties on i'm
ports ard for other purposes approved october l.
from which such hides are shipped have not granted
equal concessions in regard to the admission OF the
agricultural products OF the United States
"I do not think there Is anything unreasonable IN
that and I am inclined to believe that after further
reflection the leather manufacturers will with me,
that the law was enacted to be enforced
Yes remarked Senator Plumb, Of Kansas, who
was present during the conversation, and there Is
another thing that the New England men ought 10 re-
member and take into consideration, and that Is that il
the provision referred to had not been embodied in the
hI il would not have become law with hides the
free list. When moved in the senate to place hides
on the dutiable list, Senator Dawes, who sat near
turned to me and said that II my motion carried 1t
would endanger Republican success in several New
England Congress districts and replied by asking him
IL IL were not possible that the defeat Of my proposition
might endanger Republican in several Congress
districts in Kansas and other Western states'
Il hope continued the Kansas senator. Z" that the
New England manufacturers will not forget that it has
not always been easy task TO persuade some West
ern Republicans to support many Of the propositions OF
the Eastern manufacturers. the first benefits OF which,
at least were enjoyed By the latter
It is pertinent 10 add in this relation that the reel
rrocity agreements already concluded under the
thorlty granted by section Of the Tariff act as well
az those still pending contain provisions for the benefit
Of the manufacturers Of leather and boots, Shoes etc.
in the United states The agreement with spain pro
yides for the admission into Cuba and Porto Rico OF
leather leather, betting sole leather and boots and
shoes In whole or in part Of leather, when manufactured
in the United states at a reduction OF - per cent
from the rate OF duty imposed upon lhe articles I'M
ported from any other country The agreement Win
brazil provides for q like reductlOn upon all leather
and manufactures OF leather. except boots and shoes,
when manufactured in and imported from tne Gnlied
states The reciprocity agreement with the Dominican
Republic provides for the same reduction on boots ana
shoes in whole I'm part OF leather and SKINS, when
made In and imported from the United states