Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-31

HOW DOES TEN PER CENT. DUTY
AFFECT OCEAN srEAMERss
POSSIBLY 4 TREMENDOUS BLOW.
II May Have Been Aimed nj the DIG
Transatlantic and TranspRcihc
Lines-Attorney-Ge LOOKING
Into the Matter.
Into the Matter.

Into the Matter.
WASHINGTON, August 3o-Invoived
In the question OF the Interpretation OF
section q OF the new tarfn law. with re-
gard to the 10 per cent, discriminating
duty on foreign goods coming into the
United States from Canada or Mexico,
which IS now before the Attorney General
for decision. is another question OF equal
IL not greater, magnitude. This otner
question has almost entirely escaped pub
lie notice. but It Is giving the Treasury
great concern. 1t was referred TO the
Attorney General by Secretary Gage for
Interpretation, along with the other Tea
lures OF section q. which are in contro-
versy. 1t involves the question az 10
whether this discriminating duty OF III
PER cent. does not apply to all goods I'M
ported In foreign vessels landing at
United States ports which are exempt
from discrimination by express treaty
stipulation.
The question arises from another shght
deviation from the language of previous
provisions In section 22. which, II MADE
Intentionally, would seem to indicate that
It was designed TO discriminate against
three fourths OF all the big transatlantic
and transpacific steamship lines, as wei
as many of the American lines. In all pre-
yious laws the sections corresponded.
The new law, after providing Tor ~
per cent. discriminating duty on goods
imported In vessels not flying the united
States flag, provides that this discrimi-
mating 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 i'm
portation by treaty or act OF Congress 10
be entered in ports Of the United states,
on the payment Of the same duties as
shall then be payable on goods, etc. I'M
ported in vessels of the United States.
The new law omits "acts 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 Congress
(section 1929 that Presidents in the past
have by proclamation, exempted the YES
sells Of the United States from this dis
eliminating duty. The question now be-
fore the Attorney-General is whether the
omission of the words "act OF Congress
does not repeal section 422S. II 1t does, 1t
will strike a tremendous blow at all for
eign lines now exempt by presidential
proclamation, and confine the exemption
strictly TO the vessels OF countries with
which we have treaties granting sucn
exemption. The vessels Of countries
which would not be affected by an ad-
verse decision-that in, countries with
inc Is
specific subject-are Sweden, Germany,
Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Denmark, Italy.
Greece, Chile, Argentina Haiti, Hawaii.
Holland 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 proclamation issued III
pursuance of section 422S Of the Revised
Statutes, are Great Britain. France,
Spain, Portugal, Japan, Nicaragua, and
Mexico. OF course. the largest class OF
vessels which might be affected are the
English lines which come TO the United
States, not only from British ports. but
the Oriental countries, India, South Amer
lea. and. In fact, from every country on
the globe. III British vessels should be
thrown back upon their treaty exemp-
lions, which are contained in the treaty
OF Washington, the goods OF all BRUSH
vessels sailing from other ports thah
those of the territorial possessions in
Europe, would have TO pay the additional
10 per cent. tax. More than that, all goods
shipped in British vessels not the product
or Manufacture of Greet Britain's Euro
pean possessions, even though shipped
from English, Scotch, or Irish ports,
would be subject to the discriminating
duty. An adverse decision would, there
fore, affect the Cunard Anchor, Arrow,
Transatlantique, and other transatlatlc
lines to that extent the French Line,
the Phelps Line, running to Mediterra-
mean ports, the two Portuguese freight
lines Except products OF Portugal. seVe-
raj of the South American lines, including
what are known as the Green Line or
steamers; the japanese, the Canadian
Pacific, and the Oriental and Occidental
steamships on the Pacific, besides hum
dreds of tramp steamships.
A curious question would arise in the
case of the French line, were an ad-
verse decision rendered. Before General
Grant issued his proclamation exempting
the cargoes of French vessels by our
treaty with France, they paid discrimi-
mating duty of 1915 per ton, and cargoeS
imported into France by vessels from the
United States paid a discriminating duty
of 20 francs per ton. If section 422S Is re-
pealed, then the question would arise as
TO whether 10 per cent. discriminating
duty should be imposed on the 1915 per
ton provided for in the treaty.
Should the Attorney General decide
that section 1923 is repealed by the new
bill. Of course lines plying between the
United States and foreign ports which
would be affected might escape injury by
a change OF nationality, and by flying
the flag of Belgium or Holland, or one OF
the other countries whose treaties give
them full exemptiOn