The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1897-08-21
Dingley Tariff Bill Brings
Out a Request for
Reciprocity.
TALK OF RETALIATION
Duties on Imports From France Are
S37,ooo,o 900, as Against Si4,'
100000 From America.
PRECEDENT IS TO BE MADE

Washington. Aug, Ex-senator sher
man has acknowledged the receipt OF
oveFtures OF the French government
through Ambassador Patenotre for ne
gotlating q reciprocity clause OF inc
new tariff law. and the secretary adds
an assurance that he hopes to take up
the important subject at any cary daS'
II will be the first effort towards prae-
teal usage Of the reciprocity clause OF
the new law, and 10 some extent II Will
shape the future action OF the govern
ment on the treaties TO be negotiated
In view of this, careful investigation
II made of the status OF trade between
France and the United States as
preliminary negotiation. This has de'r'-
oped that the reciprocity clause VIII
not permit an offer TO France for much
reduction OF duties. The data prepared
In this connection show imports from
France for the years 1885 amounted
10 3S7, 900 600 1t Is estimated that the
duties under the new tarin law on I'M
ports Of this amount would be So. fOo
600. or 1855 per cent u the value OF the
goods.
II, however, the reciprocity clause Is
granted to France the duties On French
imports Is estimated at t3l. $4,000 OF
IL per cent Of the value Of the goods
Thus the reciprocity clause would r.
duce the French duties less than 81 30
900 ON a years imports
Another estimate shows that the dd-
ties on French imports are S.. 80. 90
under the Dlngley law. as against t-l'
900. 900 that they would have been IN
Ger the Wilson law. an increase OF 81
400. 900 In duties on French goods
All In AmeFiea's Favor.
As against this II Is shown that on
the imports OF the United States -
France. amounting 10 So, 500 ~, the
duties would be $4,000 900, Or - - per
cent OF the value OF the American goods
sent 10 France. From the standpoint
Of the French government There i
much margin for reciprocity between
the French rate OF about . per cent
against American goods and thr Am
erican rate Of ~ per cent against
French goods The present n-sutia-
tons will be a sequel 10 the arrangr-
ment effected by Ambassador Whit
law Reid March Is, 1882 France con
tinues To give the minimum rates rstl-
mated at that time. although the tnit-
ed States long since withdrew the ~
ciprocal reductions on sugar molassrs
hides and skins. When the arrang--
ment was hrst made France granted
the minimum rate on the following
American goods: Meats. fruits. irt~d
fruit, woods. wood blocks Tor pave
ment. slaves. hops, prepared pears and
apples. Petroleum also secured certain
advantages In reduced rates but n Is
urder a separate provision. Th-a~
minimum rates are sin In force. al.
though the French government has
felt free to restore the maximum rates
since the United States ceased u give
reciprocity on sugar. molasses hii~n
and skinA
Ambassador PatrnOtre's proposition
contempiatez that the French minimum
rates shall be continued II the United
States grants reductions under tn.
reciprocity clause % the new law. 9th.
erwise the French government IL like
~ 20 restore her maximum rates
against meats. fruit. dried fruit. woods
wood blocks for pavvmynts. slaves.
hops. prepared pears and apples and
possibly petroleum.
The French authorities feel that they
are entitled to the reciprocity rrdur-
lions, which at most will not rEc~s.I
81. 100000. "a heretofore shown. because
u the lower percentage u duty levied
by France On American goods. com.
pared with the percentage % duty lev.
led by the United States on French
goods