Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-26
The Thrift nm Wiues.

Under the present law foreign still wines
in wood pay a duty Of 50 cents per gaion.
Still wines include clarets, Burgundies
Rhine Wines Sauternes and other dry wines,
as well as also ports. sherries, Madeiras
and other wines. whose strength has been
increased by addition OF grape spirits. Dry
wines are generally between ten and twelve
per cent OF absolute aiconol, but in some
cases reach even fifteen, though seldom more
tnan fourteen. Inc French tariff fixes the
limit at fourteen; the British at about thir-
teen. The Wilson bill, wnen first introduced,
made no change in the existing law but
when reported provided that the tarift
should not exceed 100 per cent ad
Naiorem. 1t Is GAINED now that this
Change was made Inadvertently, and that a
minimum specnIc tax VIII pe insisted upon
Ihe native producers or CaiiIornla New
York and elsewhere have met with the I'M
portefs' ana warfare, so Lar as they are
concerned, mas been stopped. All are agreed
on q basis OF harness ana are sat,sred to
recommend d tarIn on still wines not exceed
ing fourteen degrees OF 80 cents and 50 cents
on toruhea wines. A reporter OF The Star has
obtained from one OF. the representative
parueS the following statement winch
argues strongly that speclnc tax must
be imposed by the tarin so long as the in
ternal revenue tax is specific on alcohol
An ad valorem tari1 on foreign wines is
practically Impossible on account of the in
mite variations of values for both new and
old stocks and the varying qualities of given
ai va II mas been found impracticaDle in
all countries. Even in France where there is
the most expert knowledge the tariff is
specific. Great Britain recognizes only the
distinctions between natural and fortified
wines, the tarim on the former being one
smiling per gallon, and on the latter two
shiliings and six pence.
An ad valorem tax would favor the impor-
tation OF wines only during periods of sur
a
vintage or unusual plenty. Stocks would
then be accumulated and held for specula-
ton. the government reaping an irregular
revenue and the SPECTATORS making all the
gains.
1T must be recognized that there are no
laws and no customs regulations which ef-
fectually distinguish between pure wines
and artif1cial compounds in imita tion NJ
wines. Artificial wines are compounds of
alcohol. which is the chief element of value
in their makeup. The competition between
artincial and natural wines is chiefly re-
strained by the cost of alcohol A high in
ternai revenue tax favors pure wines. A
specinc tax on foreign wines checks the in
PRODUCTION of such compounds il the rate
Is based on alcoholic strength
with reference to artificial wines it is in.
CONSISTENT TO nave a specific tax alcohol
Tor internal revenue and an ad yalorem
tax on mixtures of alcohol called wines OF
foreign origin. An artificial mixture OF
foreign alcohol of p per cent absolute
|
distilled liquors. which are to be taxed for
internal revenue purposes 81 per gallon and
Tor importation SI.SO. If made in our own
country such compound would pay a
revenue OF 90 cents per gallon; IL admitted
from foreign countries under an ad valorem
| tariH 1t would pay revenue of not more
IMAM from 10 to 10 cents. 1t is plain there.
| fore, that an Legitimate trade would sprins
| up under an ad valorem tariff that would
eVade the internal revenue and democrat lie
legitimate industry. To prevent such a con
| hict II is necessary that a specific tax
| should be levied by the tariff on all pro-
| ducts containing alcohol at least equal Il
| the rate fixed for the internal revenue
| Fortified wines and compounds masuuer
| aiding as wines containing % per cent O,
| alcohol are half as strong as distilled
spirits al proof, and should pay at least q
| cents, whether an ad valorem rate n.
| added to such minimum specific rate or nor
| Natural or unfortified wines, such a,
clarets. Burgundies, Sauternes, etc. var,
In strength. The French government fs
the highest limit at IA per cent The Brit
| ish at almost ID. Following the same rea
soning as with fortified wines, such wine,
| should not be taxed in the tariff less thar
the internal revenue rate on the highest de
gree of alcoholic strength
A rate of 30 cents for still wines IA ne,
| cent or less and 80 cents for fortified wine,
would prevent unfair advantages to this
| foreign trade and illegitimate traffic. I'm.
| der an ad valorem tariff large quantities q,
| Hamburg sherries or similar compounds OF
diluted alcohol, slightly favored to give the
| mere semblance of wine, could be imported
| to stretch WHISTLES and brandies for the
purpose OF evading portion of the in.