The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-31
rB1 DIscRIMINA1IAG DUTf
often Per Cent May Apply to All "oou'
Imported Unless Iroaiy fofbl"s'

OFTEN Per Cent May Apply to All "oous
Imported Unless "a 1roaty forbids'
WASHINGTON. August So.-lnvolved IN
the question of the Interpretation Oh sec
tion q OF the new tarin law. with regard
IN the 10 per cent. discriminating duty on
foreign goods coming into the Uniled
States from Canada OF Mexico, when is
now before the Attorney-Genernl for de-
cision, is another question ot equal, II not
greater magnitude.
This other question has almost entirely
escaped public notice, but 1t Is giving the
Treasury great concern. II was referred
TO the Attorney General by Secretary
Gage for Interpretation along with the
other features OF Section y which are IN
controversy. 1t involves the question as
20 whether this discriminating duty ot
10 per cent does not apply 10 all goods
imported in foreign vessels landing at
United states ports. which are not exempt
from discrimination by express treaty
stipulation.
The question arises from another slight
deviation from the laying Of previous pro-
visions I'm Section p. which. II made In
tentionally would seem TO indicate that
IL was designed TO discriminate against
three-fourihs Of all the big transAtan-
| tic and trans-Pacihc steamship lines, a.
well as many Of the American lines. In
all previous laws the section corresponded
10 the section Of the new law, which, af-
ter providing for the 10 per cent. dis
eliminating duty on goods imported IN
vessels not flying the United States flag,
provides that "this discriminating duty
shall not apply 10 goods. wares. or mer-
chandise, which shall be imported In yes
AT the time Of such importation by treaty
or act Of Congress. 20 he entered I'm ports
Of the United States on the payment OF
the same duties AS shall then be payable
on goods. etc. imported in vessels OF the
United States"
The new law anits "acts Of Congress"
and substitutes convention" so as 10
make It read not exempt by treaty or
convention"
It is in pursuance Of an act Of Con-
gress (Section 4220 that Presidents I'm the
past have by proclamation. exempted the
vessels Of the United States from this dis
eliminating duty. The question now be
fore the Attorney-General Is whether the
omission Of the words "act Of Congress-
does not repeal Section 1928. If it does fl
will strike n tremendous blow at an for
eign lines now exempt by Presidential
strictly % the vessels Of countries with
which we have treaties granting such ex-
emption. The vessels Of countries which
could not be affected by an adverse de-
cision, that Is, countries with which we
have treaties covering this specific sub
iect, are Sweden, Germany Austria, Bra
zil belgium, Denmark Italy, Greece.
Chile. Argentine, Hayti, Hawaii, Holland.
Russia and Turkey.
Several of these countries have no mer-
chant marines sailing 10 American ports.
The countries now enjoying exemption
from discriminating duties, either wholly
or IN part, under proclamation issued i'm
pursuance of Section 422S of the revised
statutes, are Great Britain. France
Spain, Portugal Japan, Nicaragua and
Mexico. or course the largest class Of
vessels which might be affectd are the En-
glish INES which come 10 the United
states not only from British ports, but
the Oriental countries, India, South Amer
lea, ana in fact, from every country on
tho globe. II British vessels should be
thrown back upon upon their treaty eX-
emption. which are contained in the treaty
OF Washington, the goods Of all British
vessels sailing from other ports except
the territorial possessions i'm Europe,
would have 20 pay the additional ten per
cent tax. More than that, all goods ship
ped in British vessels not the product or
manufacture Of Great Britan's European
possessions, even though shipped from
English, Scotch or irish ports would be
subject 10 the discriminating duty
An adverse decision would. therefore
anoct the Cunard, the Anchor Arrow,
Transatlantique, and other trans-Atlan-
tic lines TO that extent. the French line,
the Phelps line running 10 Mediterranean
ports the two Portuguese freight lines.
except products OF Portugal, several Of
the South American lines including what
are known as the Gren-Line Of Steamers.
the japanese, the Canadian Pacific and
the Occident steamship ON the Pacific be-
sides hundreds Of tramp steamships
A curious question would arise in the
case Of the French line were an adverse
decision rendered. Before General Grant
issued his proclamation exempting the
cargoes OF French vessels by our treaty
with France they paid a Discriminating
duty Of S5. rs per ton and cargoes import
ed into France by vessels. showing dis
eliminating duty OF 20 francs per ton. III
Section 1921 Is repealed, then the question
would arise as 20 whether a ten por cent
discriminating duty should be imposed on
the S'l5 ped ton provided for in the treaty.
Should the Attorney General decide that
Section 422S is repealed by the new bill Of
course lines plying between the United
states and foreign ports which would be
hnerted. might escape injury by a charge
OF nationality and flying the flag OF Bel
GUM or Holland or some other countries
whose treaty gives them full exemption.