The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-04-16
A FREE PORT.
A Measure wpl Soon BE Introduced in
tho United states senate Looking TO an
Important Change in Our Export and
Import Interests.

A Measure WI Soon he Introduced In
tho United states SENATE Looking to an
Important Change In Our Export and
Import Interests.
WASHINGTON, April 9.--It is probable
that either Senator Sherman or Senator
Chandler will introduce in the senate a
proposition which will II 1t becomes u
law, revolutionize manufacturing in
terests throughout the country. The
suggestion was first made to Secretary
Foster last fall by Mr.. Il. Rosewater,
editor of the Omaha Bee. II is t;le free
port privileges which pertain at Ham
burg, Germany.
Germany has the same protective
tariff laws that the United States has.
by special act of the Reichstag n por-
ton of Hamburg was set apart from the
city proper, into which ships might
come and go at will, bringing raw
materials to be manufactured, and
carrying out the manufactured articles;
into which machinery could also
come ut free will, all free of duty,
and the commercial interests of the
city in general, or that part of it set
aside as free port, would be as free
from import duties and commercial laws
of the country as if they were conducted
on the banks of Englands Clyde. A
canal marked that line, upon one side
of which the customs duties, etc, were
effective, while upon the other they
were as free as could be imagined. The
operation of Hamburg's free port
has been satisfactory. The city
has grown immensely. A very large
foreign trade has been cultivated The
raw materials come in free and also ma
chinery for the manufacture. The
work is done by natives who spend most
of their money for articles which pay
duties. The operatives and proprietors
live mostly in the protective part of the
city, pay taxes, and are subject to the
laws of Germany. The civil authorities
control the free port portion of Ham
burg the same as the other portion.
Whenever it is desired to sell any of
the articles manufactured at the free
port they go through the hands of the
customs officers the same MS if they had
been imported. A wall or canal sur
rounds all of that portion of the free
port not exposed TO navigation, so that
it is no easier to smuggle (han 1t would
be at any other port.
1t is proposed to pass law by con-
gress which will establish certain con-
ditions precedent to the location of a
free port at any point in this country.
At first it was thought that the provi-
sion in the federal constitution which
provides that no privilege in commerce
shall be given one city, state or section
which is denied other cities or
sections would bar out this
scheme, for it was thought to
be necessary to name the cities
in the law which should be free ports if
they wished. But it has been decided
that a general law may be passed, set
ting up general conditions and require
ments which any city-probably only
those having navigation leading to the
ocean-can comply with and become a
free port for manufacturing purposes.
1t would, of course, cost a good deal of
money to make preparations for a free
port, and only few cities would take
advantage of the opportunity.