The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-05-28
THE TARIFF en- CUTLERY.
why the Trust Cnn Dictate such Out-
rageousiy High Duties.

One OF the worst schedules in the
Dingley I'LL is that relating TO cutlery
especially pocket cutlery. The du-
ties on pocketkni,cs range from 100 per
cent. To 900 per cent. above present du-
ties and are nearly double those in the
Mckinley bill. Why. you will ask. are
these duties so extraordinarily high
And why are they allowed 10 remain
there? Both questions are easily an
swered.
1t is unnecessary here TO go into de-
tails. Before Mckinley's nomination
one of the five or six large manufacture
crs of pocket cutlery. who was PROM
inent in the trust. which raised prices
an average of about 80 per cent
under the Mckinley bill, began 70 hus-
tie for Mckinley lie is said 10 have
raised a large sum of money 10y passing
the hat among the 90 or 2j cutlery man
ufacturers. Just how the money was
spent is not known. IL is possible. how
ever. that several Mckinley delegates
10 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. lie was one of
Hanna's most trusted licutenants. One
of the two favors which he is said TO
have asked as compensation for his val
liable services was the fixing of the cut
lery schedule. This privilege. being an
ordinary and expected one under the
protection system. was readily granted
by the power behind the throne. This
Is probably 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
OF course but few knives will be i'm
ported under such exorbitant duties.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE.
First-All pocketknives not costing more
than 20 cents a dozen. IS per cent. ad
valorem.
Second-Costing more than 40 cents a
aozen blade. 20 per cent. ad valorem and
70 cents dozen.
Thifd-Costing more than 10 cents n
iozen. blade. 20 per cent. ad valorem and
Il a dozen.
OF pearl or she'll. 80 cents dozen extra) |
Fourth-Costing more than 40 cents |
iozen. blade. 20 per cent. ad valorem and |
II 30 a dozen.
Fifth-Costing more than 40 cents a |
iozen. blades or more. 20 per cent ad |
'alorem and 81 a dozen.
or pearl or she'll. rs cents a dozen extra |
IN and blades)
Calculation showing result based on i'm |
'ortations for fiscal year 1896: All knives |
costing 80 cents per dozen and less:
10000 dozen, average price, &c cents:
'alue. $1,000: IS per cent.
Knives costing over 40 cents per dozen:
$500 dozen, ! blade. average price, GO
ents. value. SIS. 500: at 20 per cent and 20
ents a dozen; duty. $2s. 560
$1,000 dozen. blade. average price,
Los: value. si03. 100; at 20 per cent and 81 |
oxen: duty. s72.752
2..,0oO Dozen blade, average price. 81 g7.
alue. sS5l.7s0: at 70 per cent and 81. 80 a
Oxen; duty. siS5.s5s
$4,000 dozen, blade, average nrice
LIB: value, s439.i20: at 20 per cent and 81
er dozen; duty. s5e5.SSi
Total value, si.223. no: total duty. sl.5si.-
81; l29l2 per cent.
Estimated that Of 2. and 4 blade % per
emit are OF pearl or shell. adding duty as
ollows
700 dozen. 2 blade. at
~ .....+.-.....-......... $4,000
/. go dozen. blade. at
tJc OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 5e.43S
80 dozen. I blade. at
75c ..........-........... 47.e25