Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-07-01
WHOLE NUMBER 1886.
AN UNJUST TARIFF.
Sells Brothers Run Against the Nc
Kinley Tariff Law.

Kinley Tariff Law.
Sells Brothers, the circus men. have
just had a new experience. On their
return from Australia the customs
authorities compelled them to pay du.
ties on not only appurtenances of the
circus newly purchased in Australia
and elsewhere while away, but like
wise on every foreign product. The
So, 'hnSn products had been owned
and possessed by the cOn,l-.., -. -...-
country for fifteen years more or less,
and taxes paid on them meanwhile,
cut no figure in the case, the duties
had to be pail. Speaking of the mat
ter yesterday. Peter Sells said that il
was an entirely new experience. They
had taken their circus to British Co
lumbia on several occasions, but had
never been required to pay customs
duties on their return. They had pos
tive knowledge also that when Bar.
mum took his show to London, two
years ago, he was permitted to return
free OF duties, and likewise Robinson,
who took his circus to Canada last
summer. Finding that the officers
were determined to make me pay"
continued Mr.. Sells, 1 went to Secre-
tary Foster and laid the case before
him, explaining that it WIS something
new and if 1 had never been taxed be-
fore why should ! be nows"
Mr.. Foster replied that he did not
understand the law we'll enough 10
pass upon it, and referred me to Mr..
Comstock, chief attorney in the Gus
toms division of the Treasury Depart
ment. Mr.. Comstock simply explained
that the law was plain and, if enforced,
duties would have 10 he collected.
The fact of the goods having been but
recently taken from this country gives
no relief. Every foreign product COM
ing into the nation is dhtiable, whether
for the first time or the fortieth. ]
argued that everything connected with
our circus were our tools OF trade and
should be exempt from duty for that
reason. Mr.. Comstock replied that II
the animals belonged to the perform.
ers and were used by them in giving
their performances, he would regard
them as tools of trade, but not other.
wise, and certainly not when they
were the stock of circus, with 30
other use than to exhibit for gain.
Mr.. Comstock explained that witl
the passage of the Mckinley tariff &C,
the authorities had been much more
rigid in their enforcement OF the Law
than they were before. II seemed q
it the sole idea and policy Of the gov
ernment was to exact the last possible
cent OF revenue. Secretary Foster nd
mitted that he could not zee the jus
tice of making us pay duties again
He thought that if the property be
longed in the United States, was
owned here and had been taxed here
it ought to be allowed TO. return duty
free. Collector Phelps thought the
same way, but Of course could not acl
upon that basis without direct ORDER
from the Treasury Department. II
was admitted in the Treasury Depart
ment that this was the first time thu
point had been raised, not, however
because il is the first occurrence d
such q case, but because never before
has the law been enforced. As mat
ter of fact, it is not the first case
Colonel Abbey, the well known theat
rical manager, had precisely the sam,
experience some years ago. H,
brought some scenes from London Il
this country and paid duty on them
Afterward he took them to Australi,
and, upon his return, wss again re-
quired to pay duty. He paid uudeI
protest, and OH appealing to the sec
retary of the Treasury was refunde,
his money. Mr.. Sells paid his dutie
yesterday under protest, but can't hop,
to get the same relief. He win an
peal, however, and the matter vii
have to be settled by the Board Of Ar
prasers.