The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-12
EXTRA 10 PER CENT. DUTY.
TIE lTToRNEK-GENERAB INTER-
PRETS THE NEW TARIFF Law.


me Duty Applies to cosar Hrapertea In Fer
eiru vessels. Except such as Arr Ratified
by treaty to ne Entered In Our Portp-Tho
Bonded deeds Question 70 ne Decided Later.
WARRINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE Department of
Justice has rendered an Important decision
touching the scope OF tho provision in the new
Tarif law placing a discriminating duty Of 10
per cent. upon certain merchandise transported
in other than American vessels. A construc-
ton Of the now law was requested by the Secro-
tary Of the Treasury In his letter Of Aug. 6,
wherein no said that since July "a, when the
law won't into effect, certain diamonds, the
production OF q foreign country not contiguous
10 the United States, and worth 600. 900, have
boon imported from Canada. but whether in q
vessel or by rail was not stated. The Secretary
Of the Treasury asked:
Frst-whother o discriminating duty Of 10
Der cent, under section %, should DO levied on
the diamonds described.
socond-Whether, in determining the liability
ofthe diamonds TO the discrimlnatinR duty. It 10
material to ascertain the mode Of conveyance
used In transporting them into the United
Gtatesf from Canada.
The opinion Of the Department OF Justice,
written by Judge Richards, the Solicltor-Gen-
eral, and approved by Joseph McKenna, Attor-
ney-General. says:
Section II of the act Of 1894 roads as follows:
pporlou IL. That q discrimin atins duty Of 10 per
esntum I'd vaiorem. in addition to the duties imposed
By law, shall b levied. collected. and paid on all
roods, wares, or merchandise which shall be imported
IN vessels not Of the United statcs; but this discrim-
inssfnr duty shall not apply to eoods, wares. and mer.
ohandiss which ishall BE- imported In vessels noe OF
thesUnitsd States, entitled By treaty or any cot OF
Congress. 70 b entered in ports Of the United States
On payment OF the Same duties as shall be paid on
-~>a, 49, ,rd rpnrohnndfno imDortad In yornoln Of
the United States.
"seotion 20 Of the Tariff oct of July a. 1897.
continued the discriminating duty imposed by
section II Of the former law, and added Q dis
eliminating duty Of 10 per cent. on all goods
which. being the production or manufacture Of
any foreign country not contiguous to the
United States. shall come into the United
States from q contiguous country without
being imported I'm the usual course Of strictly
retail trade The full text Of the section IL 40
fcllowB:
.ssotion %. That Q discriminating duty Of 10
psr osntum I'd valersm, IN addition to the duties I'm.
oos,d By law, shall be levied, collected. and paid On
all roods, wares, or merchandise which shal DO Inn
ported fn vessels not Of the United states, or which.
being the production or manufacture of any foreign
sountrJ not oonttguous 10 the United States, shall
come into the United States from such contiguous
country, that this discriminating duty shall not ap-
Dy u tO0Qns WotO1, VI 1oICuhuuA8O WAion y ~
imported n In vessels not Of the United States, entitled
a. time Of such importation. by treaty or conven.
ton. 10 be entered In the ports Of tho United States
On payment Of the same duties - shall then b pays
bic on gooda. wares. and merchandise imported In
vssssls Of the United states. nor % such foreign prod.
ucts % manufsctures - shall b imported from such
eoatisuous countries in the usual course OF strictly
retail trade
"The former law imposed o discriminating
Anky oplv nm oooda funportaHf IN Carknin fnraiOp
vessels. The present law impoess o disorim
mating duty also on goods which come into the
United States from q contiguous country and
are tho product Of . foreign non-contiguou
country and arc not imported in the ugua
course Of strictly retail trade
"It will DO observed that tho word imported
II. not used In connection with goods whiol
come into the United States from Q contigu
GUS country. save in the exception exemptinl
goods imported in the usual course Of strictly
retail trade; but for the purposes Of this opin
ion it 10 not necessary to consider the precist
effect q Fl the en wSrds come tntG; a iSd d,sdaip ,SsIa g
s asS% adherence sss %ssd IN . mosSinse L. indeed 'h'r' d
In dstsIminine Shs.h ,s the goods uads.
transportation or method Of importation; It Ii
eunicient to know that they come into tn.
are wisSnn a class subject 70 duty. namely. ar
the production or MANUFACTURING Of Q foreign
and arc not Imported in the usual course o.
strictly retail trade
your frst question IL. therefore. answered
in The afirpstive;y your second in The NEGATIVE,
Treasury Department to-day and told the of
acials there that no expected to render an opin
ion on tho moro important question of o dis
eliminating duty on bonded goods before leay
ing Washington. He will probably 60 away in
o few days. A largo amount Of money 10 in
yoived In the bonded importation matter
Nearly all the goods shipped from Asiatic ports
to places In tho eastern portion of the United
States arc entered through Canada In bond
Teas intended for Now York and other eastern
cities are usually sent in bond over Canadian
railways.