The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-07-31
The TARIFF ON CUTLERY


1
rascously high Duties.
One of the worst schedules in the
Dingley bill Is that relating TO cutlery
especially pocket cutlery. The duties
ON pocketknives range from 100 per
cent to 800 per cent above present du-
ties and are nearly double those In the
Mckinley bill. Why, you viii ask. are
these duties so extraordinarily highf
And why are they allowed to remain
theref Both questions are easily an
swered.
It is unnecessary here to go into do
tails. Before McKinley's nomination
one of the five or six large manufactur-
ers of pocket cutlery, who was prom
iDent In the trust, which raised prices
an average Of about 80 per cent under
the Mckinley bill, began TO hustle for
Mckinley He is said TO have raised q
large sum of money by passing the hat
among the 90 or % cutlery manufactur
ers just how the money was spent is
not known. 1t is probable, however,
that several Mckinley delegates to 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. He was one of Han
mas most trusted heutenants- One Of
the two favors which he is said to have
asked as compensation for his valuable
services was the fixing of the cutlery
schedule. This privilege, being an ordi-
nary and expected one under the protec-
ton system, was readily granted by the
power behind the throne. This is prob
ably 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
to importations for the last fiscal year.
OF course but few knives will be inn
ported under such exorbitaSt duties.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE
First.-An pocket knives not costing more
than 20 cents n dozen, IS per cent ad valorom.
second.-Costing more than 40 cents a dozen,
blade, % per cent I'D valorem and 80 cents o
dozen.
Tbird.-Costing more than 10 cents a dozen,
blade, 20 per cent ad valorem and 81 q dozen.
III pearl or she'll 20 cents a dozen extra.)
Fourth.-Costing more than 40 cents dozen,
blade, 20 per cent ad valorem and sl.50 a
dozen.
Fifth.-costing more than 40 cents dozen. 4
blades or more, 20 per cent ad valoreIn and 81
. dozen.
III pearl or shell, 70 cents dozen extra ON 6
and blades.)
Calculation showing result based on importa.
tions for fiscal year 1896; All knives costing &C
cents per dozen and less:
$1,000 dozen, average price, 20 cents; value.
s7o,g60; IS per cent
Knives costing over 40 cents per dozen
5000 dozen, blade, average price, 90 cents,
value. s2S,s 800; at 20 per cent ard so cents O
dozen; duty, $50, 200.
8e2, 600 dozen, blade, average price, sl03;
value, s403, 7o0i at 20 per cent and 81 dozen
duty, SAFE, 752.
g7f 900 dozen Q blade, average price, si27
value, 1851, 100; at % per cent and $50 dozen
$4,000 dozen. blade, average price, slT3
value, s48e, 40; at 20 per cent and s2 per dozen
duty, s59o,ss4
Total value, 81. 229 no; total duty. sl5s4, e54
1924 per cent.
Estimated that Of 2, and blade 70 per cent
are of pearl or SHE'LL adding duty as follows
5000 dozen, blade, at Soc. $4,000
O., $50 dozen, 9blade, at 75c 5o,48S
@, 500 dozen, blade, at 75o, 47,625
74o.ai7-li21s p. Q.
RESULT
Knives to the value Of per cent of importa-
tons, duty would be 80 per cent
knives to the value Of o. per cent Of impor.
tations, duty would be ia21t per cent.
The duty on pocket cutlery for some years
prior to 1850 was "a per cent ad valorem.
From 1850 to 1890 ii was 80 per cent adj va
lorafn with the executions of n short time