The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-03
Samples of All Merchandise imported
from Now on to BE Retained at
Customs Houses.
SENATE PREPARING FOR WORK
1T MAY PAS THREE OF THE aPPRO-
PRIATIOS BILLS NEXT WEEK.
President CIeveIand's Forest Reserve
ProcIn nation Likely To he Modi-
field by Mckinley.

WASHINGTON. April 2.-Secretary Gage
to-day announced that he had decided to
comply with the requirements of Section %
of the pending tariff bill. providing for the
retention of samples of merchandise i'm
ported under orders given subsequent to
April l. and which weTSnot purchased and
directed by the owner toll e shipped for i'm
port into the United States prior TO April l..
This action, however. will be taken under
Section 249 of the Revised Statutes. which
authorizes the secretary to exercise super
intendence over the collection of customs
duties. 1t Is the opinion of Secretary Gage
and the new assistant secretary. Mr.. How
ell, that no insurmountabIe difficulties will
be encountered in the administration of this
feature of the tariff bill. There can be no
difficuity. IL is said. as TO articles which are
to pay a specific duty. and as tie whole
tariff bill was framed with "A general view
10 specific rather than ad valorem duties,
a large proportion of the dutiable articles
will be disposed of without the necessity of
retaining samples. In some special cases,
where the retention of samples would OBJ
viously work hardship to the importers,
such as a large and miscellaneous invoice
OF furniture. il is thought that this require
ment may be waived on a clear stipulation
as to character and value. The new regu-
lations probably will be promulgated to-
morrow.
The Republican members of the Senate
committee on finance are continuing their
work day and night on the tariff bill, with
the intention OF reporting it to the Senate
at the earliest possible day. They are not
yet prepared to give out any of the results
OF their Investigations, and say when APP
preached on the subject that they have not
as yet reached any conclusions on any
schedules of the bill. There is. however. a
weiI-dehned impression about the Senate
that the bill will be generally remodeled
and the rates considerably reduced in many
OF the schedules. A member OF the COM
mittee Is quoted by another senator as au-
thority for the specific statement that car
pet duties would be cut. There is also gen.
eraI belief among Western senators that
there Will be material changes i'm the rates
on woods, especially on those of the
third class.
a strong effort will be made to have
naphthazar1ne black placed upon the dutia-
bic list Representatives of other wool
blacks are now in the city and have
brought the matter to the attention of the
that this product is not an alizarin. and say
that II Is u~nJustly so classified. The ways
andFmea committee of the House orig
lnally agreed to leave il out of the dutiable
list and place 1t with other coal tar dyes.
Out changed their minds the last day the
bill was before the House. The incident has
brought out a vigorous protest from per-
sons Interested in other blacks. who say
that the napthazarine patent is owned by a
foreign house; that it will give to this es-
adjustment d monopoly and will deprive
the government of $500.G0 revenue annually.
Among other suggestions which have been
urged on the are the following:
n return to the Wilson law duty of 5
cents a pound on hops instead of the Il
cents provided by the Diugley bill. 1t is
claimed that the proposed increase will be
an injury rather than a benefit to the pro-
Queer and a hardship to the consumer.
A uniform rate on all imported tobacco
suitable for cigar purposes. Ii is asserted
that the enactment of the Dingley rates
into law would result in throwing 300. 600
cigar makers out of employment.
a reduction of the rate on gold leaf, silver
leaf. aluminium leaf and composition or
Dutch metal.
A reduction of the rate of 10 cents a
pound on gum chile. the basis OF pure chew
that this article should be made free, be-
cause 1t is, they say. 1.-The poor mans lux
ury.'
There is also much contention about the
lumber schedule, as. there is about many
other schedules. The American lumbermen
interested in Canadian forests appear TO be
especially concerned over the Dingley rates.
The committee Is not receiving any verbal
statements except from senators. but il is
giving close attention to typewriter pres
entations of fact and Few prom
ises are being made. even to senators.
There IS. therefore. no basis for any but the
most general prediction as to the fate of the
hill at the hands of the Republican SEN
atorS.