Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-12-21

the fruits OF his own hard and faithful labor
10 the farmers Of the country we have
given untaxed agricultural implements
and binding twine. AS cotton baggng can
De used but once, we have thought it hut
just to extend the drawback system to
such bagging made of jute butts when
used upon our exported co tton.
Spirits.
In the schedule of spirits, wine and other
beverages the changes made are slight and
with the view to production of increased
revenue tax upon the same, while the
duty of fifty cents gallon on still wines
imported in casks is retained with a pro-
viso limiting the highest duty ON such
wines to 100 per cent
Wool.
The placing of wool upon the free list
has justified very substantial reduction
of the duties on woolen goods. OF the
woolen tariff, 1t may be said, as was truly
said of the woolsn tariff of 1928: "That is
the masterpiece of the ultra protectionists
and exhibits all the worst features of the
system" Although the imports of 1922
show an average duty Of 95 S0-100 per
cent. in the woolen schedule, it cannot be
said that wooden manufacture has been a
fourishing industry in this country, or
that the American wool grower has Sc
cured remunerative prices for his wool.
With free wool we anticipate great bsne-
fits to the consumer of woolen goods a
revival of the wooden industry, such as
that which followed the tariff OF 1858, and
steader and better market for tho
American wool grower. The present tar
iff is not only cruelty exhorbitant, but Is
30 adjusted as to bear most heavily upon
the poorer people; and recognizing that
the duties which we would place at
present upon competing foreign fabrics
must be somewhat higher than a perma-
nent schedule ought to be, we have pro-
vided for this gradual decrease, believing
that in few years our manufacturers
will assert their skill and ability to manu-
facture from the worlds wool In the
carpet schedule we have not felt is neces-
sary to adopt this sliding scale because
that branch of our textile industry has
long bsen one of the most fourishing of
all our manufactures.
average haJe OF Duties.
The average rate of duties levied under
the existing law upon the dutiable goods
imported in 1899 was 497l per cent.
Had the duties proposed In the present
bill been levied upon that years importa-
tion of dutiable goods, the average rate
including those we have transferred to the
fire list, would have been 80 81 per cent,
but SO many OF the rates OF the present
law are really prohbitory it is impossible
to say what its real rate of taxation Ia,
yet it is safe to affirm that it is much
higher than any import tables will dis
close 1t must be understood, however,
that the rates mentioned can only be
called closely approxi mate and not mLthe-
matically accurate, but they illustrate
the extent of the reductions proposed by
the present bill, and the relief which it
will give to the taxpayer and especially to
the laborers OF this country.
Necessities of the Treasury.
1t may be said that we are not justified
in making so large reduction In revcnus
at time when government receipts and
expenditures can no longer bo balanced,
and. when some new sources of temporary
revenue must be sought for. Ws have
been compelled to retain soma articles
upon the dutiable list and to leave SONS
duties higher than we desire be cause OF
the present necessities OF the treasury.
Ad Valorem for Specific.
A most important change in the bill
from the present law will be
found In the general Substitution OF ad
valorem for specific duties. This must
always be the characteristic OF a revenue
tariff levied upon a large range of articles,
especially when they include the plain
OF life.