New-York tribune., 1897-08-31
A NEW TARIFF PROBLEM.
THREATENING A TREMENDOUS BLOW
TO FOREIGN STEAMSHIP LINES.
DOES THE DISCRIMINATING DUTY APPLY 10
GOODS IMPORTED IN VESSELS OF ALL
COUNTRIES NOT EXPRESSLY Ex-


EMPTED BY TREATIES,
Washington Aug 3O.-rnvolved In the quess
ton OF the Interpretation OF Section % Of tho
new Tariff law with regard 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 II not
greater magnitude. This other question has AL
most entirely escaped public notice but It is CIV
ing great concern to Treasury officials. II was
referred to the Attorney General by Secretary
Gage for Interpretation, along with the other
features OF Section 22 which are in controversy.
1t involves the question OF whether the dscrim-
mating duty of 10 per cent does not apply to all
goods imported in foreign vessels landing at
United States ports which are not exempt from
discriminating tonnage taxes by express treaty
stipulations.
THE LANGUAGE or THE NEW LAW.
The question arises from another slight dev!.
alton from the language OF previous provisions
in Section Do which, II made intentionally. would
seem to indicate that It was designed to discrim-
mate against three-fo Of all the big trans
atlantic and transpacfc steamship lines. as we'll
as many South American lines. In all previous
laws the section corresponding to Section % Of
the new law, after providing for the 10 per cent
discriminating duty on goods imported in vessels
not flying he United States fag provides that
this discriminating duty shall not apply to
goods wares or merchandise which shall be i'm.
ported in vessels not OF the United States. en-
titled al the time Of such importation by treaty
or act Of Congress TO be entered In ports OF the
United States on the payment OF the same duties
as shall be then payable goods etc. imported
In vessels of the United States" The new law
omits acts of Congress" and substitutes con-
vention" so as 10 make 1t read not exempt by
treaty or convention"
1t is in pursuance Of an act OF Congress (Sec-
ton 422S) that Presidents in the past have by
proclamation exempted the vessels OF many
countries from this discriminating duty The
question now before the Attorney General is
whether the omission of the words acts Of Con-
gress" does not repeal Section 4.22s II It does
1t will strike tremendous blow at all foreign
lines now exempt by Presidential proclamation,
/ and conine the exemption strictly to the vessels
OF countries with which the United States has
treaties granting such exemptions
GREAT INTERESTS AFFECTED.
The vessels o. countries which could not he
affected by an adverse decision Sweden. Ger
many Austria Brazil. Belgium. Denmark. Italy.
Greece. Chill Argentina. Hayti. Hawaii. Hol-
tries have no merchant marine sailing TO Ameri-
can ports The countries now enjoying eXemp-
ton from discriminating duties. either wholly
in part under proclamation issued In pur- .
suance of Section f. 22S Of the Revised statutes. :
are Great Britain France. Spain Portugal
Japan, Nicaragua and Mexico.
OF course. the largest class of vessels wnlcn
might he affected are the English lines. which
come to the United States. not only from Britisn
ports but the Oriental countries, india. south
America. and. in fact. from every country on me th
Fprftf Sg.l- sbn
upon their treaty exemptions. which are con-
tained in the Treaty Of Washington, the gooos
of all British vessels sailing from any ports eN,
cept the territorial possessions IN Europe Wouiu
have 10 pav the additional 10 per cent taN
More than that. all goods shipped IN BRUSH yes.
sell, not th, product or manufacture OF Great
Britain's European possessions. even tnough
shipped from English. Scotch or Irish ports,
would be subject to the discriminating duty.
An adverse decision would therefore aHect 'he
Cunard the Anchor. the Arrow ana other trans
atlantic lines to- that extent. the trench Line.
the phelps Line running To Mediterranean ports:
The two Portuguese freight lines except for
products of Portugal. several Of The South
American lines including what are known as
the Green Line of steamers the Japanese me
Canadian Pacific and the Oriental ana oc'hshta.
steamers on the PacIH'' p"sid's Hu""ienS VI
tramp steamers.
A CURIOUS FEATURE OF THE CASE.
\ curious question would arise in the case Of
tha French Line were an adverse decision REM
dared Before General Grant issued his procla-
nation exemptinC the cargoes Of French ves-
sels by the treaty with France they paid dis
eliminating duty Of - - per ton, and cargoes
imported into France by vessels Of the United
States paid a discriminating duty Of ~ francs
per ton II Section i22S is repealed. the ques-
ion would arise as 10 whether a 10 per cent dls-
eliminating duty should be imposed or the - 80
Der Ton provided for by the treaty
should the Attorney General decide tnat Sec
,ion DIS is repealed hy the rev law, OF course
steamers of the lines plying between the nltei
States and foreign ports which would ne a1ecten
might escape injury by change ~ nationanty
and flag 10 that Of Belgium, Holland. or some
cher country whose treaty gives them full ex-
empti0n.
FRYE REPLIES To CHANDLER
A DENIAL or WHAT THE LATTER TERMED
.LEGIsLAriyE TRICK"
BOSTON. Aug 80 dispatch 10 The Herad
from, Auburn Ne. gives senator Fryes reply ~
charges made ny senator ". r. Chandler recently
to tho cffoc, that ;te tariff clause providing tor
10 por cent additional duty on foreign MANUFACTURED
goods brought irto the United States through
Canada was passed. by a legislative trek
AS to facts" says Senator Frye. "a serious ana
long-cont!nuci attempt was made To induce the
se,lto Finance COMMITTEE TO adopt and report 10
the senate q substitute for Section y ralling 20