Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-05-01
THE TARIFF ON CUTLERY.
Why the Trust Can Dictate Such ont
rageousiy High Duties.


One of the worst schedules IN tha
Dingley bill is that relating TO cutlery
especially pocket cutlery. The duties
ON poeketknives range from 100 per
cent to 800 per cent above present du-
ties and are nearly double those in the
Mckinley bill. Why, you will ask, are
/ these duties go extraordinarily high?
And why arc they allowed to remain
there? Both questions are easily an
swered
1t 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 i'll the trust, which raised prices
an average OF about 35 per cent under
the Mckinley bill, began to hustle for
Mckinley. lie is said to have raised
large sum of money by passing the hat
among the 20 on % cutlery manufaetur-
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 fer Mckinley first, last
and all the time. He was one Of Han
mas most trusted lieutenants. One OF
the two favors which he is said to have
asked rs compensation for his valuable
services was the fixing Of the cutlery
schedule. This privilege, being an ordi-
nary and expected one under tho protec-
ton system, was readily granted by the
power behind Tie throne. This il prob
ably the whole story 1t explains fully
why the duties arc there and why they
will stay there.
Below IS given in detail come Of the
effects Of the proposed duties as applied
to importations for the last fiscal year
OF course but few knives Will DO inn
ported under such exorbitant duties.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE.
frst.-8il pocket knives not costing more
than 10 cents dozen, . per cont ed yalorem
See0nd.-Gosting more han accents u dozen,
| blade % per cent I'd vitlorein and 20 cents a
dozen.
Third-Casfing more than % cents a dozen,
2 blade, 20 per cent I'D valorein and 81 u dozen
tIf peSrl or shell, 50 cents a dozen extra.)
ourth.-Gusting more than 40 centsa dozen,
. blade, 20 per cent ed valorem and sL5O a
dozen.
Fifth Costing more than 40 cents a dozen. 1
blades or moro, 20 Fer cent nd valorem and ~
dozen.
llf pearl ahell, Is cents u dozen extra ON
and blades)
Calculation showing result based on irnporta
lions for fiscal year 1876; Ali Knives costing III
cents Per dozen and less;
100000 dozen, average price, co cents: value,
$l6,9G0; a5 per cents
Knives costing over 30 cents per dozen:
5000 dozen, blade, average price, 60 cents.
value, $2s, 800 at 20 per cent and 80 cents .
dozen; duty, s29,7G0
$4,000 dozen, 2 blade, average price, slGe;
value, 1858, go; Mt 90 per cent and 81 a DOZEN
duty, $l72, 81.
2s7,oOo dozen, blade, average price. sl.27.
value, $B5l, 100; at 20 per cent and ST. so DOZEN
duty, $4s5,s5s.
25i,000 dozen, blade, average price. sl.7s;
value, $3.50, 40; ut 20 per cent and 81 per dozen
duty s595,sSl.
Total yalue 81. ee23s7 total duty, sl,5S4 ,255:
1291a per cont.
Estimated that of ., 9 and blade 25 per cent
are of pearl or shell, adding duty as follows:
5000 dozen, blade, at zoe. $4,000
1920 dozen, 3blade, at 75c 50, 4s3
83, 500 dozen, blade, OF zoe. 47,G25