New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-26
TARIFF BILL AND PROSPERITY
CHAIRMAN DINGLEY TALKS ABOUT THE
REVIVAL OF BUSINESS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TKIBUNE.l

Washington April 25-Members Of Congress and
others are receiving letters from various parts OF
the country Indicating some Impotence on the part
o. certain people because the prosperity which was
promised as a result Of the election of Republi-
can Congress and President has not already made
itself apparent.
II do not think IL possible" said Chairman Ding
ley. OF the Ways and Means Committee in talking
uron this subject. that any considerable number
of the people OF the United States have any such
thought. or course. the enemy is doing what II
can TO foster that idea. but it is altogether I'M
reasonable The President whom the people elected
has been inauguratod and one branch OF Congress
has passed the Tariff bill. But these facts canno,
possibly have any effect in the way Of improving
the situation. so far as relates the manufactur
Ing industries of the country, or the other indus
tries which would be affected by their improve
ment"
Rather the reverse would it not Mr. Dingley?"
'Momentary, yes. The fact that tariff
is pending and that IL proposes to in
crease the rates OF duty many articles has the
effect Of temporarily unsettling the business opera
tions Of the manufacturers Prices here are based,
Of course to a certain extent upon those named by
foreign manufacturers who invade the market, and
our own manufacturers are uncertain as 10 what
they themselves Will have TO pay for such raw ma
terial as they will import for in their manu-
featuring after the new law goes into effect In
that particular. At least. the tendency OF a new
tariff law unsettles the business operations OF the
manufacturer in this country and renders 1t i'm
possible for him to make contracts or push his
business. The greatest injury to his business,
however. lies In the fact that such enormous
quantities Of foreign goods are being imported and
forced upon the market.
"Of course l DO not mean" continued Mr. Ding
ley, that the moral effect Of the election which
insured the stability of our currency and assured
the people that they are TO have the protection
VIII hen He'd to
immediate effect in some degree. | think IL il
generally conceded that business did improve and
has improved since this assurance was given, but
1t is not reasonable 10 expect that the improve
ment resulting from increased manufactures and
the consequently Increased business for those af-
fected by their activity be felt before the bill
becomes law. or even Immediately afterward.
Improvement in business always comes slowly. y
business depression may occur IN a day, but I'M
provement never comes suddenly. Certainly X
cannot be expected that II will be 50 In this
when it is remembered that practically year
stock of goods will have been brought into the
country from abroad before the Tariff bill be
That may seem like a broad assertion. but very
few people realize. think what enormous quaint
ties OF goods being brought in or have come
IN IN the last lew months. me customs receipts
upon dutabe goods alone nave doubled, ana II
you examine the reports OF the lmportdtloAs OF
non-dutlaDle goods, you VIII ma that thty nav
increased enormously l observe oy paragraph
IN recent number OF Boston paper that TOUR
teen vessels laden with wool arrived az that CITY
one cay last week When you remember that the
bill has yet 10 be considered Dy the luIl senate
committee, by the Senate, where there Is unlimited
debate, and by a conference committee, IL l. APP
parent that weeks. and probably months. must YET
elapse before II gets upon the statute books and
into operation. l nope however 10 see IL Jaw
by July l. During all this time suppose the Hood
OF foreign imports tons will continue a greater
less extent, many or the importers mad or
dered goods prior 10 Aprl l. and VIII continue TO
WOOL which is imported in great quantities
These facts" said Mr.. Dingley. in conclusion.
Ought TO show 10 people VINO stop 10 consider
them the impossiDlty OF business Improvement so
far as relates 20 increased activity in manufacur
ing and reflex influence upon other lines OF
business until the new measure IS not only upon
the statute books but has time to make Itself felt,
enormous amounts OF foreign goods being
forced upon the market. believe that people vii.
see prosperity when the new law has had time 10
produce its natural effect.
Mr. Dingley's remarks with reference TO in
creased importations ana theT prospective e1eci
In delaying the demand for the products OF Ameri-
manufactures suggest an examination OF the
official figures upon this subject. The hsures fully
confirm his statements with reference 10 the great
increase In impOrtatiOns since Il became known
that increase IN tariff rates is 10 be had. This
Is especially true with reference 10 articles the
free list. while the fact that the customs coilec-
tons have doubled during the last Few months
shows the great increase In impOrtations Of dut!-
ynor4b Nth singla execution since the early
part OF 1885 and the free importatons for the
present month seem likely 10 exceed those OF last
month.
now the free list is also shown in the percentage
tables OF the Bureau Of Statistics. which indicate
that the percentage Of free importations increased
very greatly the moment the result or the Novem-
Der election known. In the sixteen months
prior the November election the importatlons OF
cent OF the total Beginning with November how
ever. and continuing up 10 this time, more than %
per cent Of the importations nave been those upon
the free list, while the importations OF dutiable
goods have, shown by the increase In customs
receipts. also enormously increased.