The Washington bee., 1897-05-29
THE TARIFF ON CUTLERY.

why the Trust Can Dictate Such Out
raseously High Duties.
One of the worst schedules in the
Dingley bill is that relating to cutlery
especially pocket cutlery. The du-,
ties on pocketknives range from 100 per
cent. to 300 per cent. above present du-
ties and are nearly double those in the
Mckinley bill. Why, you will ask, are
these duties so extraordinarily high?
And why are they allowed to remain
there? Both questions are easily an
swered.
It is unnecessary here to go into de-
tails. Before McKinley's nomination
one of the five or six large manufactur-
ers of pocket cutlery, who was prom
inent in the trust, which raised prices
an average of about IS per cent.
under the Mckinley bill, began TO hus-
tie for Mckinley. He is said to have
raised a large sum of money by passing
the hat among the 20 or rs cutlery man
ufacturers. Just how the money was
spent is not known. It's possible, how
ever, 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
Hanna's most trusted lieutenants. One
of the two favors which he is said to
have asked as compensation for his val
liable services was the fixing Of the cut
lery schedule. This privilege, being an
ordinary and expected one under the
protection system, was readily granted
by the power behind the throne. This
is probably 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-An pocketknives not costing more
than 40 cents a dozen. IS per cent ad
valorem.
Second-Costing more than 40 cents a
dozen. 1 blade, 20 per cent. ad valorem and
80 cents dozen.
Third-Costing more than 40 cents a
dozen, blade, 20 per cent. ad valorem and
81 a dozen.
Of pearl or shell. 80 cents dozen extra-)
Fourth-Costing more than 40 cents q
dozen, 8 blade. 20 per cent. ad valorem and
$50 dozen.
Fifth-Costing more than 40 cents a
dozen, blades or more, 20 per cent. ad
yalorem and 81 a dozen.
Of pearl or shell, 75 cents a dozen extra
on and blades)
Calculation showing result based on i'm
portations for fiscal year 1896: All knives
costing 20 cents per dozen and less:
296, 200 dozen, average price, Is cents;
value, sc, $50: IS per cent.
Knives costing over 40 cents per dozen:
5000 dozen, / blade, average price, sc
cents; value, $2s 800: at 20 per cent. and 80
cents a dozen; duty, S29,760
$92, 900 dozen, 2 blade, average price.
81 03; value, $4O3, $50; at 20 per cent. and 81 a
dozen: duty, $472.752.
n, 900 dozen, blade, average price, H.27:
value, s351. .790; at 20 per cent. and s1.50 a
dozen: duty, s4S5.S5S.
254,000 dozen, blade, average price
$1.73; value, s4S9 40; at 20 per cent. and 81
per dozen; duty. s5s5SS4.
Total value, 81, ,223, 10; total duty. 81. .5s4.-
-; 1291z per cent.
Estimated that Of 2, 8 and 4 blade Is per
cent. are Of pearl or shell, adding duty as
follows: