New-York tribune., 1893-12-24
SELECTIONS FROM THE. MAIL
TROUBLES OF STAMP COLLECTORS.
THEY WANT THEIR WARES PUT on THE FREE


To the Editor of the Tribune
Sir: Among other walls OF discomfort over the pro-
visions OF the Wilson tariff b.ll now comes one
from a comparatively new public" the stamp col
lecors Of the United States who. 1t Is said, num-
Der million and probably more Under the Treas
ury Departments Interpretation OF the Mckinley
act postage stamps imported into this country are
printed matter" and subject 10 duty charge Of
q per cent OF their actual market value When the
fact is remembered that the banknote companies
OF NewYork city engrave and print the postage
stamps for many Of the Governments Of the world
particularly those Of South and Central America
this indlscrIminate % per cent ad valorem ap.
pears a strange one. Books printed and bound here
and shipped abroad may be returned free OF duty
but stamps made here. sold elsewhere. used and
cancelled elsewhere must pay % per cent ad va
lorem even though classified printed matter
Dealers in and collectors of postage stamps were
in high hopes last summer OF something being done
bv the trainers Of the new tariff bill toward either
placing them on the free list or specifically men-
toning and providing for them. With view to
that end dealers and collectors united; and on Sep
tcmbcr y g. y. Calman, of New York. sent In their
behalf a letter to the chairman of the Ways ana
Means COMMITTEES detailing some OF the for
placing postage stamps. cancelled and uncanccllcd
on the free list The following Were the two pril.
cpal reasons which In themselves sufficient
TO merit that attention which the committee id
not give 10 them:
THAT postage stamps circulate in many parts OF
the world as money, and are received in tho saw
ings banks in England and Belgium. and perhaps
in other countries. In tho way in which actual
money is received. In England. also. the posioilices
will redeem unused postage stamps. thus admitting
them to De liability or obligation OF the Govern
mcnt for this reason stamps should come under the
head other securities obligations OF other
Governments. and should he free OF duty
II is admitted that II T. absolutely Impossible 10
strictly enforce the collection of duty on all stamps
imported through the mails. Conc' ning this dim.
Guilty. ana concerning the frequency of the use OF
stamps I'm lieu Of cash In the payment OF small
bills Mr. Calman had this 10 say:
"As the dealers dn stamps are known "a such.
the majority their letters stopped for the coll
lars" that believe that not one letter In LOB
which contains postage stamps IS stopped for the
collection of any duty. In order 10 accomplish the
collection OF duty all stamps imported into the
country Il would be necessary to inspect every
single letter that arrives In the United states from
large merchants IN all lines of trade. Tn" news
papers and periodicals which circulate In foreign
parts receive Uayment FOR large part OF their
Subscriptions in unused stamps from all parts ot
The world. and II would be man!feStly Unfair to
collect duty equivalent for cash.
Mr.. Calman offered. IN behalf " ovor one million
collectors. To- appear IN person before tho WAYS and
Means Committee 10 present further reasons Toy
placing pogtag" stamps on an equality with bank
notes. bonds. etc. which are on the free list. The
committee apparently did not deem the one million
collectors 10 b" of sufficient importance To merit
the receipt Of Mr. Camans letter. they dd nothing.
and postage stamps VIII pay duty under the Wilson
tariff. aa ih"y diI under the Mckinley act -
printed matter" However, tho phllntclic Journals
all over the country calling upon their readers
to make personal applications TO their represcnta
tlves in Congress on behalf Of the desircl amend
mcnt COLLECTOR.
HrOohlyn Dec : 1S97