Evening journal., 1897-05-05
TARIFF AMENDMENTS
Proposed Rates of the Bill Cen
orally Reduced.
THE MEASURE BEFORE THE SENATE.
The Retroactive Clause Has Been Stricken
Out-Duty Levied Upon Tea-The
Beer Tax Increased-Sugar
Schedule Changed.

~AcH~S SoililllANtf was pAeoSlANSN III
the senate by Mr.. Aldrich CRep) of
Rhode Island, who gave notice that he
would ask for it's consideration on
Tuesday May is. As amended. the
bill bears but little resemblance to the
original Dingley measure.
Except with regard to the duties on
lumber. which was fixed at 50 per 1000
feet, lead at IL cents per pound, fruits
at a proportionately high rate, hides at
~ cents per pound and a few other
items which We're unchanged in order
To secure the support of Senator Jones
and few senators whose votes are
necessary to its passage, the bill shows
great reductions all along the line.
The retroactive clause making the
rates collectible April 1 is stricken out
of the bill
The provision emphasizing that moth
ing in the bill shall be regarded as alb
rogating the Hawaiian treaty is strick-
en- from the bill. This practically abro-
gates the treaty.
This was done on the argument that
all the United States gets in exchange
for Pearl harbOr is the small amount
of duties that will be collected on sug-
ar which is not regarded as a fair ex-
change.
There is an increase Of "A cents a
barrel in the internal revenue tax on
beer which, it is thought. will bring in
Sl0,OOO,0OO of revenue. This tax will
continue until 1900. after which it will
be 81.
The discount on stamps is also re-
moved, which, Il Is estimated, will add
$4,000, 900 more.
The sugar schedule now reads:
Sugars not above No. 16 Dutch stand
ard in color. tank bottoms. sirups OF
cane juice and of beet Juice melada
concentrated melada, concrete and con-
centrated molasses. testing by the po-
larfscope above 81 and not above 3S
degrees, 79-1O0 of a cent per pound
duty and for every additional degree
shown by the polariscopic test 2-1OO Of
a cent per pound and fractions of a de-
gree in proportion.
Sugar above No. 16 Dutch stand
ard in color and sugar that has gone
through a process Of refining. 1.16 cents
per pound duty and in addition there
10 on all the foregoing 35 per cent ad
valorem. Sugars not above No. Is
Dutch standard in color. tank bottoms.
sirups Of cane juice and beet juice.
melada. concentrated melada. concrete
and concentrated molasses, testing by
the polariscope not more than 81 de-
grees, 70 per cent ad valorem. Molasses
testing above 40 degrees and not more
than Sc degrees, cents per gallon;
testing So degrees and not above 20 de-
grees, s cents per gallon"
The Wool Schedule.
First class woods are placed at s
cents per pound instead of Ii cents and
the second class at 9 cents instead of
II. Third class woods Of a value of 10
cents a pound pay a duty of 4 cents
per pound instead of 80 per cent ad
valorem; above 10 cents per pound val
ue cents per pound duty.
The metal schedule is very low. far
below the rates of the Dingley bill. ex-
cept on cutlery, in which the rates are
proportionately high, which was due
perhaps to the strength of the New
England men in the committee.
One of the most important provi-
sions of the bill is that general clause
providing that the duties on all articles
imported from all countries which pay
a bounty shall pay an additional duty
equal to the amount of such bounty.
This applies to all schedules. although
inserted in the sugar schedule 1t win
he made a general principle of Renub-
lioan policy.
In the wool schedule the rates on fine
grades Of wool are low and are raised
on fine carpet wools. This was a con-
cession to the far western senators and
illustrates the idea of concession that
has been carried out in all the sched-
ules in order to get support for the bin
in the senate.
Works of art are free. including
books, except such articles of art as
are imported for the purpose of gem
eral utility This qualification was
made to cover the case Of the importa-
tion Of fancy fans and mating, which
have been coming in as works OF art.
Personal luggage is also free except
such articles as are used for personal
adornment.
Fish on the Free List.
very important new provision in
the bill is that which admits fish free
of duty. This provision is inserted as
a stimulus to the fishing industry of
the great lakes.
The duty on lead bearing ore is in
creased from / cent, as in the Dingley
bill. to 11s cents.
The duty on watches, clocks and
chronometers is fixed at 40 per cent ad
valorem; on jewels used therein 10 per
cent ad valorem.
The duty of 50 per 1000 feet on pine
lumber is the same as the Dingley bill.
There was great pressure to make the
rate 81, and the lumber men We're di-
vided in their opinion. The rate was
left at 81, with a provision for adding
the export duty levied by any country
The duty on mixed or packed tobac-
CO. unstemmed, is S1.50 per pound. II
stemmed. S2.25 per pound; iller tobac-
co, unstemmed. IS cents per pound. II
stemmed, so cents per pound. This is
a slight reduction from Dingley
rates. All other tobacco, Manufactured
or manufactured. is 40 cents per
pound. Cigarettes are IS per mound.
The tobacco schedule is accompanied
by an important provision making a
detailed invoice necessary, with a Ger
tincation from the secretary of the
treasury as to the original quality OF
the tobacco. before entry is made.
The bill contains an important provi,
zion in regard 10 tea and fixes the duty
at 10 cents per pound until Jan l. 1900
after which date il shall be admitted