Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-07-27
THE NEW TARIFF.
Question Arises as to Time
Rates Take Eject.


Rates Take Eject.
Washington, July 28.-The first ques-
ton that has arisen under the new tariff
act relates to the time when 1t went into
effect. If the Encouragement and the
supreme court affirm the construction
of the treasury department importers
who entered goods Saturday valued at
thousands of dollars will be required to
pay the duties assessed on them by the
new statute, instead Of those imposed
by the Wilson law. Assistant Secretary
Howell, the tariff expert of the treas
ury, after consultation with Secretary
Gage, said that the department was Of
the opinion that the act, although
signed at 4,O4 o'clock Saturday after
noon, took effect at midnight Friday
night, as the law does not recognize
a part of day. The enacting clause Of
the new act provides that it shall be
in effect on and after its passage, hence
the opinion Of the department officials
that midnight Friday night LIS the time
when its operation commenced.
On the other hand, some treasury en-
perts hold that the bill was not law
until 1t received the presidents sig
nature, and say that Mr.. McKinley's
name was not attached until after four
o'clock, the hour when the custom
houses were closed. 1t is the intention
of the department to refer tho question
to the attorney-general, and 1t will be
guided by the opinion which that Of
fetal will render. In the meantime, un-
der the instructions issued, no final
liquidation of duties will be made until
the expiration Of ten days. The impor-
lance of this question Of time will be
understood when 1t is known that in
one case alone 100000 is at stake.
Treasury officials Notified.
Immediately upon the receipt Of in
formation at the department that the
new law had been signed by the pres
ident instructions were sent to col
lecto1g of internal revenue informing
them that the Dingley bill had become
law and to collect duties in accord
ance with Its provisions. They were re-
ferred to the old regulations for guild
ance in case any question should arise
as to the schedule under which goods
should be rated. Experts of the depart
ment are now engaged in the prepare
ton Of the new regulations. Great care
is being given to the regulations in re-
gard to Incorporation of sugars.
Heavy Imports.
In anticipation of the passage of the
law importers brought in large guam
titles Of goods, which paid duties under
the Wilson act. Importations have been
extremely heavy since last March, and
reached their highest point during the
present month. although complete re-
turns have not yet reached the depart
ment. The bureau of statistics estl
mated that during March, April, MAJ
and June nearly 3,oOo,ooo,ooo pounds O
sugar, valued at nearly $4,000, 900, wer,
imported into this country. The re
turns for July have not yet been re
ceived, but it is expected by the de
partment that they will not fall below
the average of over 100000 pounds es
tablished by April, May and June.
For the three months, March, Apri
and May, the value Of hides imported
was $44,o23,29s, while for the CORE
spending period of last year the value
of the importations Of this material wal
Sao.eea.0ss. A comparison Of oths