The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-05-14

One of tne worst schedules in the
Dingley bill Is that relating TO cutlery
especially pocket cutlery. The duties
on pCcketknives range from 100 pc,
cent to 300 per cent above present du-
ties and are nearly double those in the
Mckinley bin. Why, you will ask, are
these duties so extraordinarily hlght
And why are they allowed to remain
theres Both questions are easily an
srered.
1t Is unnecessary here to 60 into de-
tails Before MckinIey's nomination
one OF the five or six large manufactur-
ers Of pocket cutlery, who was prom
ipent III the IT asst, which raised prices
an average of about 35 per cent under
the Mckinley bill, began to hustle for
Mckinley He is said 70 have raised a
large sum of mcney by passing the hat
among the 90 or % 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 heutenants. 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 ordl-
nary and expected one under the protec-
ton 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 ~ cents a dozen, - per cent ad yalorem
Second--CoSting more than 40 cents n dozen,
l blade, % per cent ad vGlorem and 90 cents a
dozen
Third.-Costing more than 30 cents dozen,
? blade, ~ per cent ad valorcm and 81 Il dozen.
IF pearl or shell, 80 cents n dozen extra
Fourth--Costing more than 40 cents a dozen,
3 blade. 70 per cent ad valorem and $50
dozen.
Fifth.-Costing more than 40 cents a dozen,
blades or more, ~ per cent ad valorem and 81
IF pearl or shell, 30 cents a dozen extra on 3
and blades.)
Calculation showing result based on importa-
tionz for fiscal year 1896: All knives costing 10
cents per dozen and less:
2g6,OOO dozen, average price, % cents; value,
s.6,960; S5 per cent.
Knives costing over 40 cents per dozen;
$3.50 Dozen l blade average price, 60 cents;
value, $2S, SO; at % per cent and % cents
dozen; duty, So, ,760.
3g2, 90 dozen, 2 blade, average price, S1.O3;
value, SIJ3, ,7GU; at 20 per cent and 81 dozen;
duty, $412, 752-
257,O1O dozen, 3 blade, average price, SLY;
value, S;l5I 80; at % per cent and Sl5O dozen;
duty, $4S5, So
254,OpO dozen, blade. average price, Sl.73;
value, S439, 42O at ~ per cent and 81 per dozen;
duty, 1896, ,sS4.
Total value 81, ,223 20; total duty. 81 I,5S4,
l291a per cent.
Estimated that of ?, 3 and blade p per cent
Of pearl or SHE'LL adding duty follows:
o, 900 dozen, = blade, at SIC. $4,000
e., ,2J0 dozen, blade, at 75c. 59,4lS
&, 500 dozen, blade, at 75c. Al CPS