The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-03-20

the duties paid on the materials used.
'ess one per centum of such duties
Or where part of the exported article
- made OF an imported commodity, ii
~ can be clearly designated, then the
aforesaid drawback applies To this
part In practice il is found that in
most business undertakings the red
tape, delay and expense that surround
the use of imported articles in the
manufacture OF exporta bic goods is So
great that the American manufacturers
cannot afford to take advantage OF this
provision of the law.
These difficulties have been overcome
in several of the countries of CONT.
mental Europe by the creation OF what
are known as free ports. Thus. for
example, IN Hamburg a portion of the
dock system. with land adjoining. has
been set apart within which goods can
be stored. used or manufactured with.
ont any regard whatsoever 10 their du-
table qualities As local illustra.
tlon: suppose free port was created
IN this city. either upon the filled-up
flats of East Boston or South boston.
This free port would naturally he sur
rounded by customs wall or barrier
to prevent smuggling. The entrances
would he guarded by customs officials
who would allow no goods to pass out.
ward through the Cateways upon
which duties had not been paid That
Is the free port would thus far resem-
pie bonded warehouse. having the
restrictions surrounding Il that are ap-
piled N the conduct OF these cstab.
li>hments-
AT this point the resem blance would
end, for inside Of the area of the free
port the importers or purchasers of
imported goods would have full right
To make use of them as they saw fit.
III they wished to sell them in bond
they could display them in stores in.
tended for that purpose. or if they
wished 10 use imported materials.
either alone or in connection with
American commodities. they would
have as much right TO freely do this /
as they would have IL they had paid 4
the duty on the imported merchandise 4
and had carried it to factories outside
the customs barrier. In this way for
eirn materials could be brought to this
port. could receive the needed Amer
lean manipulation. anl could then be
exported TO be sold in anv part of the
world without having their cost in
creased by the Inconvenience. delays
and expenses OF customs taxes and SUI
pervisi0n.
There Is every reason for thinking
hat II an opportunity of this kind was
accorded 10 the port of Boston, taken
n connection with proposed improve
nents in our ship canal and the es,ab.
ishnsent of an adequate dock system,
I would give TO the commerce of this
'ity n great and healthy stimulus.
he constitution of the United States
wisely prohibits the passing Of laws
which shall discriminate in favor of
ne port and against another: but such
z scrimination canno, apply TO a gen.
.al lar. which would admit Of the
rec ION of free port at any locality
'4ere the citizens were ready to pro-
ide the needed facilities Weare glad
O see that measures looking forward
o this improvement have been intro
uced and advocated by those repre-.
enting both political parties, thus
nowing that there is nothing of a par.
san nature in the proposition, but
hat il appeals To all citizens who wish
, place our country in position to
ike her fair share in the commerce o.
le world. boston Herald