The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-07
fcopyright. 1871

trouble. too, for multitude OF per-
sons. 1t is too early yet 10 be sure
about il. but those most interested
the thousands who figure up and col
lect the import duties, are afraid the
Dingley tariff will break the trouble
making record. III not only upsets many
rates, but il Is based upon a principle
radically different from the basis OF the
Wilson German tariff. Under IL duties
were calculated chiefly on the ad valo-
rem or according to value plan. Under
the new tariff, with just about enough
exceptions to prove the rule. the spe-
cliic or according to quantity scheme
prevails.
In other words. under the new law
pound OF sugar of a certain grade VIII
be assessed a certain amount or duty
regardless Of fluctuations in price. whlle
under the old law the rate was GER
tain percentage of the current price. IL
is one OF the Republican articles OF
faith that there is far less opportunity
for error or fraud under specific than
under ad valorem rates. When the iat-
Ter are in force. they say II is otten eN-
ceedingly difficult even IL all concern
ed are honestly trying to be truthful.
properly to fix the rate and amount OF
Of the constant and unavoidable
changes in price. and when there Is
disposition on the part Of the importer
TO get down below the proper rate
especially II dishonest examiner Is IN
league with him, the ad valorem rates
complicate the problem enormously.
When the duty is 10 be calculated by
the pound, the yard, the ton, the gall
lon or some other specific quantity, all
IS comparatively plain sailing. Besides,
say the Republicans. the new plan helps
in the direction OF protection since when
prices decline specific rates are higher
relatively and the American producer
has a better opportunity. IL is Demo-
cratic doctrine, on the other hand. that
this very thing is manifestly unfair In
that IL forces the importer 10 pay an
unduly high rate when goods are down
and deprives the government of mil
lions in revenue when goods are up. The
advantages OF the specific plan with re-
gard 10 the prevention OF fraud are
conceded. but these advantages, say me
friends of ad valorem rates are more
than cverbalanced by the disadvantages
fnstanced, adding, and with some truth.
that in the past frauds have not been
entirely confined to times when the ad
this is a matter for discussion and
wrangling between tariff sharps and
lawmakers The geners~ change of
methods has certainly been greatly
dreaded by the customs service en-
ployees.
All told, there are about 10000 per-
sons, including custom house brokers,
attorneys of special practice etc. who
make their living calculating collecting
and adjusting rates. BY far the great
er proportion of these are govern
ment employees who. If honest, are
Interested i'm seeing that the government
gets all that is strictly its due. The GUS
tom house brokers are in business for
themselves, and IL is their duty TO their
customers TO get rates down whenever
they can. This they can often do and
yet remain entirely honest. though bro
kers have been known TO take advan-
tage OF the government, just as gov
ernment officials have occasionally been
found willing, for consideration. TO
pass goods at rates lower than their
true value requires and also for con-
sIderation. TO allow false classifications
10 so through.
PREPARING FOR THE CHANGE.
But whatever their relation to the
collection OF tariff revenues, whether
they serve as employees of the United
States or not, all these 10000 persons
have been constantly and actively en-
paged every day OF late in the most
careful study OF the new law. And OF
course they have had to unlearn the
old Just as fast as they have learned the
new. for there Is no more effectual bar
iier to the quick dispatch of customs
business than examiners. clerks and
brokers who have two sets OF rates
mixed up IN their intelectuals. In order
10 help along this mental transference
Of rates, as soon as the new law was
signed the presses OF the government
printing Office were set TO work printing
COPIES thereof These were speedily
bound at the binderies connected with
the great establishment into little
books. whereof the front half in every
case contains the Wilson -Gorman tariff
so that the new and the old may he
compared with the least possible trou-
bic and loss of time. Tariff changes are
always followed by hasty printing Of
this sort, since until II has been COM
pleted and the books distributed 20 the
customs employees they have no ofli-
eial figures 20 work by or learn their les
sons from Ii was Impossible. OF course.
10 start the presses until after the last
figure had been agreed upon by both
houses. Changes might have been
made at the latest moment. but long
before that the matter was set and put
upon galleys subject TO typographical
change. end when the schedules were at
last completed the delay was only tri-
fling. The presses Of the American Pro-
tectiye Tariff league were liveler. how
ever than those OF the government, and
the league furnished the customs serv-
ice In New York with copies several
DAYS ahead OF those from Washington.
DIVISION OF CUSTOMS WORK.
The customs service OF the United
states is divided into five divisions oi
officials and employees It's head Is tbs
secretary of the treasury. In each por
Of entry there Is custom house and 4
each custom house Is attached a bil
force OF deputies. clerks. examiners and
other employees. Squads OF men undel
deputies are detailed to duty at sub
ports OF entry.
Next after the collectors in point o.