The morning news., 1897-08-31
DOUBT OVER DNGLEY.s BILL.
Another Grave Question Arises over
Import Duties.

Washington, Aug. 30.-lnVoNed in the
question of Interpretation Of section % Of
the new tariff law with regard to the 10
per cent discriminating duty on goods
coming into the United States from Can
ada or Mexico, which is now before the
attorney general for decision, il another
question of equal If not greater magnitude
This other question has almost entirely
escaped public notice, but il is giving the
treasury great concern 1t was referred
to the attorney general By Secretary Gage
for Interpretation along with the other
features of section D, which are in con-
troversy.
1t involves the question of whether this
discriminating duty of 10 per cent. does
not apply to all goods imported in foreign
vessels landing at Unlted States ports
which are not exempt from discriminating
taxes by express treaty stipulation. The
question arises from another slight devia-
tion Of the language of previous provisions
in %, which, if made internally, would
seem TO Indicate that it was designed to
discriminate against three-fourths Of all
the big transatlantic and trans-Pacnc
South American lines.
In all previous laws the section CORE
spending 20 section % of the new law after
providing for the 10 per cent. discriminat-
ing duty on goods imported in vessels not
flying the United States flag, provides that
this discriminating duty shall not apply
20 goods wares or merchandise which
shall be imported In vessels not of the
United States, entitled at the time OF such
inDOTtaIlDD ha aDt Of
gress to be entered in ports of the United
States on the payment of the same duties
as shall then be payable on goods, etc,
imported in vessels Of the United states"
The new law omits the acts of congress
and substitutes convention so as to make
It read not exempt by treaty or conVen-
ton. lt Is in pursuance of an act Of con
greSS (section 4,22S) that Presidents IN the
past have construed by proclama-
ton. The question before the attorney is
whether the omissions of the words ''act
of congress" does not repeal section 4, ,228
If 1t does, IL will strike a tremendous
blow to all foreign lines now exempt by
presidential proclamation and conhne the
exemption strictly 20 the vessels of coun-
tries with which we have treaties from
granting such exemption. The vessels of
countries which could not be affected by
an adverse declaration. that is countries
with which we have treaties covering this
"
Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Denmark
Greece. Chill Hayu, Hawaii, Italy. Hol-
land Russia and Turkey. Several of these
countries have no merchant marine sailing
to American ports.
The countries now enjoying exemption
from discriminating duties, wholly or in
part under proclamation issued In pursu-
ance Of section 1928 of the revised stat
utes, are Great Britain, France SPAIN
Portugal, Japan, Nicaragua and Mexico
OF course large class of vessels which
might be affected are the English lines
which come to the United States from
British ports, but from the oriental coun-
try, India, South America, and. In fact,
from every country on the globe.
II British vessels should be thrown
back, exemptions which are contained in
the treaty Of Washington, goods Of all
British vessels sailing from other ports
except the territorial possessions In 1u-
rope would have to pay the additional 10
per cent tax. More than that, all goods
shipped In Britlsf~vessels not the product
or manufacture OF Great Brtain's Euro
pean possessions, even though sailing from
English, Scotch or Irish ports, would be
subject 10 the discriminating duty. An ad-
verse decision would therefore affect the
Cunard, Arrow, transatlantic and other
transatlantic lines TO that extent, the
French line, the Phelps line, running to
freight lines Except products OF Portugal,
several OF the South American lines in
cludlng what are known as the Green Line
Of steamers, the Japanese. the Canadian
Pacific and the Oriental and Occldent
steamers on the Pacific, besides hundreds
of tramp steamers.
A curious question would arise in the
case Of the French line were an adverse
decision rendered. Before Gen. Grant IS
sued his proclamation exemptng the car
goes of French vessels by our treaty with
France they paid a discriminating duty
Of $3.75 per ton and imported into France
by vessels Of the United States paid a
discriminating duty Of 20 francs per ton
II section l228 IS repealed then the ques-
ton would arise as 20 whether a 10 per
cent. discriminating duty should be I'm
posed on the S.75 per ton provided for by
the treaty Should the attorney general
decide that section 1923 be repealed by the
new law. OF course steamers on the sew.
cral lines plying between the United
States and foreign ports which would be
affected might escape injury by cha nge
OF nationality and flag 20 that OF Belgium
or Holland or some other country with
which there is a treaty which gives them
fun exemption.