The herald., 1897-08-31
Badly Tangled Up in the
Tariff Bill
THE DISCRIMINATING DUTY
THREATENS TO AFFECT ALL
IMPORTS
Countries Havingno Merchant Marine
Are the Only Ones Exempt
From Extra Tax
Associated Press Special wire.


WASHINGTON, Aug. S0-Involved
in the question of Interpretation in sec.
ton % of the new tariff with regard to
the 10 per cent discriminating duty on
fore-gn goods coming into the United
States from Canada or Mexico, which ID
now before the attorney general for de-
cision, is another question Of equal IL
not greater magnitude. This other ques-
ton has almost entiysly escaped publie
notice, but it is giving the treasury great
concern. 1t was referred to the attorney
general by Secretary Gage for interpre-
tation along with the other features Of
section 22 which are in controversy. It
involves the question of whether this
discriminating duty Of 10 per cent does
not apply to all goods imported in for
eign vessels landing at United States
ports which are exempt from discrimi-
mating tonnage taxes by express treaty
stipulations. The question arises from
another slight deviation from the lam
guage of previous provisions in section
%, which, If made Intentionally, would
seem to indicate that it was designed to
the big Transatlantic and Transpacific
steamship lines, as well as many Of the
South American lines. In all previous
laws the section corresponding to sec
tion % Of the new law, after providing
for the 10 per cent discriminating duty
on goods imported in vessels not flying
the United States flag, provides that
this discriminating duty shall not apply
to goods, wares or merchandise which
shall be imported in vessels not Of the
United States entitled at the time of
such importation by treaty or act Of
congress to be entered in ports of the
United States on payment of the same
duties as shall be payable on goods. etc.,
imported in vessels of the United
States"
The new law omits "act Of congress-"
and substitutes convention" so as to
make it read not exempt by treaty or
convention
1t is in pursuance of an act Of con-
gress, section 1928, that presidents in the
past have by proclamation exempted
vessels of many countries from this dis
eliminating duty.
The question now before the attorney
general is whether the omission Of the
words "act of congress" does not repeal
section 1928. If it does it will strike q
tremendous blow at all foreign lines now
exempt by presidential proclamation.
and confine the exemption strictly to the
vessels of countries with which we have
treaties granting such exemptions.
The vessels of foreign countries which
would not be affected by an adverse de-
cision, that is coun tries with which we
have treaties covering this specific SUBJ
ject, are Sweden, Germany, Austria,
Brazil, Belgium Denmark, Italy, Greece,
Chile, Argentina, Hayti, Hawaii, Hol-
land, Russia and Turkey. Several OF
these countries have no merchant ma
rine sailing to American ports. The
countries now enjoying exemption from
discriminating duties, either wholly or
in part under proclamations issued in
pursuance of section 1928 of the revised
statutes, are Great Britain, Spain, Port
ugal, Japan, Nicaragua and Mexico.
OF course the largst class of vessels
which might be affected are the Eng
lish lines, which come to the United
States not only from British ports but
from the Oriental countries India, South
America and in fact from every country
on the globe. If British vessels should
be thrown back upon the treaty exemp-
tions which are contained in the treaty
of Washington, the goods of all British
vessels sailing from other ports except
the territorial possessions in Europe
would have to pay the 10 per cent tax.
More than that, all goods shipped In
British vessels not the product or man.
ufacture of Great Britain's European
posse ssions, even though shipped from
English, Scotch or Irish ports, would be
subject to the discriminating duty. An
adverse decision would therefore affect
the Cunard, Anchor, Arrow, Transatlau-
tic and other Transatlantic lines to that
extent, the French line, the Phelps line
running to Mediterranean ports, the
two Portuguese freight lines Except
products of PortugaD, several of the
South American lines, including what
are known as the Green line of steam
ers. the Japanese, the Canadian Pacific
and the Oriental and Occidental steam
ers on the Pacific, besides hundreds OF
tramp steamers.