River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-03-18

%N-DuiuIleS Observation-Disclosures. 5,ZUU.uVU
This stateme NJ is on the superstition
tnat the In por1s of each class of goods
would be the same the next fiscal year as
IN the fiscal year ended last June. But as
the imports of wool were three times as
great and those of wooden goods more than
twice as great In pounds as In 1898, the COM
mittee assumes that their excessive inn
portation would be largely reduced by the
proposed bill. although the fact that our
domestic production of wool has diminished
100000 pounds since 1898 will necessitate
the importation of much more wool now
than in the latter year Assuming that the
importation OF wool will fall off at least
One-third from those of 1896 on account Of
anticipatory imports TO avoid duties, we
place the increased revenue from this
source at sll, 100000. Anticipating also that
the imports of woolens willfall off nearly
is per cent. from the enormous imports of
1896, we estimate the increa sed revenue
from this source under the proposed rates
at about sl4,0O0000. From sugar we esti-
mate s2O.000.000 additional revenue. An
tcipating considerable falling off of i'm
ports of Havana tobacco because of the
revolution in Cuba, we reduce the estimates
of additional revenue to be derived from
the tobacco schedule to $4,000 900. The re-
naming schedules will afford revenue of
about S39 $4,000 on the basis of the imports
Of 1896, but as there would probably bo
diminished exports at some points, al
though the gradual restoration of business
consumption of imported luxuries, We re-
duce the estimates on these to $31, 00G, GOO.
These would aggregate an additional rev.
enue of $S0,OOO,O0O the first year A further
reduction of s., 100000 or s1O,OOO.OO0 for con-
ttngencies would leave 900 TO S75,-
100000 as the probable increased revenue
from this bill the first year. which would
undoubtedly rise to 500. 1000 the second
year.
This increase of revenue is secured by
fra N har
argole. paintings and statuary straw or
namenfs, straw mattings, burlaps and
various other articles from the free list
of the present law to the dutiable list /:
by increasing the duties on woolens to COM
pensate the manufactures for the duty
placed on wool; by raising the duty on
sugar about three-fourths of a cent per
pound In order to encourage the produc-
ton of sugar in this country, which IL is
believed can be done, and thus give our
farmers a new crop. which we now import
mainly from abroad: by increasing the
duty on agricultural products affected by
Canadian competition, and on fine cotton
goods. some advanced manufactures of iron
and steel, manufactures of jute, fax and
hemp, in order 20 encourage these and
other industries here, and especially by
increasing duties on such luxuries as
liquors. tobaccos. silks and laces. etc
las a rule the rates of duties proposed
are between the rates of the tariff of 1880
dnN the tdTllt Ol 1854, SuCn reduction or
rates from the former law preserving the
protective principle being made feasible
py changed conditions.
THE iron and steel schedule is changed
very little from that schedule in the tariff
of 1894 the change being entirely in the
more advanced articles. The same is true
of the cotton schedule In the agricultural
wool and glass and earthenware schedules
alone are the duties OF the act of 1890 fully
restored as rule and in few cases In
creased, with the view of amply protect
ing and encoura ging our farming interests
at every possible point. While the duty
on clothing wool is larger in proportion
to the foreign value than on manufactured
articles. yet II is thought desirable for the
public interest ana for our agriculture that
we should produce this prime necessity for
ourselves The duty on carpet wools as
well as upon many other articles, is i'm
posed mainly for revenue. The irritation
caused by the use of few woods heretofore
classed as carpet woods being used for
clothing purposes has been remeded by
transferring such woods to the clothing
wool classes. but the duty on clothing
woods has been restored to the rate of the
act of 1890
"In framing this new tariff the aim has
been to MAKE the duties specific. or at
least partly specific, so far as possible,
to protect the revenue and also to protect
our own Industries. This has been done
in response to the wishes of the better class
traitors of the law and of our own pro-
ducers The very general substitution of
specific duties, even where they are only
the equivalent of existing al valorems, will
of itself increase the revenue and strength
en- the protection offered to our industries.
THE reciprocity provisions of the act
of 1890 have not only been fully restored,
but this policy has been extended by add
ing to sugar, tea. coffee and hides as ar
ticles on which to make reciprocal agree
ments, such articles as champagne, brandy.
wines, artificial and natural mineral
waters. chicle. argols and silk laces. In
adding these articles the reciprocity pro-
vision is strengthened greatly by providing
foi reduction of duties on them to coun-
tries giving us similar concessions.
The bill as a whole has the unanimous
support of the republican members of the
ways and means committee and will, II is
hoped, receive the support not only of re-
publicans. but of others who believe that
revenue should be at least equal TO eX-
penditures, with small surplus added.
and who are patriotic enough to entertain
the conviction that in adjusting duties to
secure such revenue IL is wise policy to en-
courage home production and manufac-
lures. and thus provide employment al
good wages for the laborers of our people,
upon whose purchasing power depends the
market for our productions.