Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-05-04
THE TARIFF ON CUTLERY.
why the Trust Can Dictate Such Out
rageously High Duties.

Why the Trust Can Dictate Such Jul
rageously High Duties.
One of the worst schedules in the
Dingley bill is that relating to cutlery
especially pocket cutlery. The duties
on pocketknives range from 100 per
cent to 800 per cent above present du-
ties and are nearly double those in the
Mckinley bill. Why, you will ask, are
these duties so extraordinarily high?
And why are they allowed to remain
there? Both questions are easily an
swered.
1t is unnecessary here to go into de-
tails Before McKinley's nomination
one of the five or six large manufactur-
ers of pScket cutlery, who was prom
inent in the trust, which raised prices
an average of about 80 per cent under
the Mckinley bill, began to hustle for
Mckinley. He is said to have raised
large sum of money by passing the hat
among the 90 or 90 cutlery manufactur-
ers. Just how the money was spent is
not known. 1t is probable, however,
that several Mckinley delegates to st.
Louis owed their presence there to this
fund The hat passer himself was one
of the very few delegates from New
York who was for Mckinley first. last
and all the time. He was one of Han
mas most trusted lieutenants. One of
the two favors which he is said to have
asked as compensation for his valuable
services was the fixing of the cutlery
schedule. This privilege, being an ordi-
nary and expected one under the protec-
tion system, was readily granted by the
power behind the throne. This is prob
ably the whole story. 1t explains fully
why the duties are there and why they
will stay there.
Below is given in detail some of the
effects of the proposed duties as applied
to importations for the last fiscal year.
OF course but few knives will be i'm
ported under such exorbitant duties
PROPOSED SCHEDULE.
First.-An pocket knives not costing more
than 10 cents dozen, 55 per cent ad yalorem
Second.-Costing more than 10 cents q dozen,
blade, 20 per cent ad valorem and 20 cents
dozen.
Third.-Costing more than 20 cents dozen,
2 blade, 20 per cent ad valorem and 81 dozen
.Qf pearl or shell, so cents q dozen extra-)
Fourth.-Costing more than 40 cents dozen,
blade, 20 per cent ad valorem and $L5O q
dozen.
Fifth.-Costing more than 40 cents dozen. Z
blades or more, 20 per cent ad valorem and ss
(If pearl or shell, 20 cents dozen extra on
and 4 blades.)
Calculation showing result based on importa-
tions for fiscal year 1895: All knives costing 20
cents per dozen and less:
$4,000 dozen, average price, % cents; value,
$40, 800; 30 per cent.
knives costing over 40 cents per dozen:
5000 dozen, blade, average price, 90 cents;
value, SIS, 500; at 20 per cent and 80 cents q
dozen; duty, S29,760
s92, 600 dozen, blade, average price, S1.05;
value. s403. .76O; Mt 20 per cent and 81 dozen
duty, $472, ,752.
27,OOO dozen, blnde, average price, s1.2Ti
value, s951, ,7g0; at 20 per cent and S15o dozen
duty, S4s5,S5
$4,000 dozen, blade, average price. $1.73;
value, $439, 40; at 20 per cent and 81 per dozen
duty, s5e5, ,SS4.
Total value, sI.s2a.77o; total duty. 81. 4.e54;
12915 per cent.
Estimated that of 2, 3 and blade 25 per cent
are of pearl or shell, adding duty follows:
es, 900 dozen, 2 blade, at Soc $4,000
GO, $50 dozen, 3biade, at s5c. 59,4S8
60, 500 dozen, blade, at 75c. 47,625