Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-06-04
THE TARIFF ON CUTLERY,
Why the Trust Can Dictate Such Out
rGEeoUsly High Duties.

One Of the worst schedules in the
Dinglcy bill is that relating to cutlery
ESPECIALLY pocket cutlery. The duties
On Iockc'knivcs range from 100 per
cent to 300 per cent above present du-
ties and are nearly double those in the
Mckinley hill. Why, You will ask, are
these duties 50 extraordinarily highi
And why lre they allowed to remain
There? Both questions are easily an
swcrcd
1t Is unnecessary here to 90 into de-
tails. Bfo1e McKinley's nomination
one Of the five or six large manufactur-
ers CT pocket cutlery, who was prom
iDent in the trust, which raised prices
an average Of about 35 per cent under
the Mckinley till, began to hustle for
Mckinley. He is said to have raised
large sum of money by passing the hat
among the 20 or % cutlery manufactur-
ers Just how the money was spent is
not ,:now". j. is probable, however,
TAT s,vcrai Ilckinley 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 lieutenants One of
asked as compensation for his valuable
services was the fixing of the cutlery
schedule. This privilege, being an ordi-
nary and expected ono 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 i'm
ported under such exorbitant duties.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE.
First.-All pocket knives not costing more
than ~ cents dozen, IS per cent nd valorem.
Second.-Costing moro than 40 cents dozen,
blade. 20 per cent ad valorem and 80 cents o
dozen.
blade, 20 per cent ad valorem and 81 n dozen
Ut pearl or shell, 50 cents dozen extra-)
Fourth.-Costing moro than 20 cents dozen,
blade. 20 per cent I'D valorem and SIS
dozen.
Fifth.-Costing more than 10 cents Dozen 4
blades or moro. 20 per cent ad valorem and 81
q dozen.
IF pearl or shell, IS cents dozen extra on 8
and blades)
Calculation showing result based on importa.
fions for fiscal year 1896: All knives costing 10
cents per dozen and less:
$4,000 dozen. average price, 20 cents; value,
$6,96O; IS per cent.
Knives costing over 10 cents per dozen:
5000 dozen, blade. average price, 60 cents;
value, $2S,sO0; ut 20 per cent and 50 cents q
dozen; duty, $50, 7G0.
$4,000 dozen. 2 blade, average price, $1O3;
value, $403, 760: at 20 per cent and 81 o dozen;
duty, SAT-, 752.
277,000 dozen, blade, average price, $1Y;
value, $751;, 100: at 70 per cent and ST. 50 dozen
duty, s4S5,65S.
254,OOO dozen, blade. average price, $173;
value, $439, 40; at ~ per cent and 81 per dozen
duty, s5s5, 1854
Total value, 81 223 10; total duty, 81 5S4, oA;
1291a per cent.
Estimated that Of 9, . and 4 blade % per cent
are Of pearl or shell. adding duty Us follows:
9S, 900 dozen, blade, at 5Oc. $4,000
90. $50 dozen, 3blade, at 75c. 59,4SS
LOO dozen. blade. at 75c. 47,625