The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-05-07
TARIFF AMENDMENTS
Proposed Rates of the Bill Gem
orally Reduced.
The MEASURE BEFORE The SENATE.
The Retroactive Clause Has Been stricken
Out-Duty Levied Upon Tea-The
Beer Tax Increased-Sugar
Schedule Changed.

tariff bill, as amended by the senate
finance committee, was presented in
the senate by Mr.. Aldrich (Rep.) of
Rhode Island, who gave notice that he
would ask for its consideration on
Tuesday, May Is. AS amended, the
bill bears but little resemblance to the
original Dingley measure.
Except with regard to the duties on
lumber which was fixed at 81 per 1000
feet, lead at IN cents per pound fruits
at a proportionately high rate, hides at
IL cents per pound and a few other
items which were unchanged in order
to secure the support of Senator Jones
and few senators whose votes are
necessary to its passage, the bill shows
great reductions all along the line.
The retroactive clause making the
rates collectible April l is stricken out
of the bill.
The provision emphasizing that moth
ing in the bill shall be regarded as alb
rogating the Hawaiian treaty is strick-
en- from the bill. This practically abro-
gates the treaty.
This was done on the argument that
all the United States gets in exchange
for Pearl harbor is the small amount
of duties that will be collected on sug-
ar, which is not regarded as a fair ex-
change.
There is an increase of A cents a
barrel in the internal revenue tax on
beer, which. it is thought will bring in
Sl0,000,000 of revenue. This tax will
continue until 1900, after which it will
be 81.
DISCOUNT -, -.
moved, which, it is estimated, will add
$25, 900 more.
The sugar schedule now reads:
Sugars not above No 16 Dutch stand
ard in color. tank bottoms, sirups of
cane juice and of beet juice, meada,
concentrated melada, concrete and con-
.eentrated molasses, testing by the po-
lariscope above 81 and not above 3S
degrees, 79-100 of a cent per pound
duty and for every additional degree
shown by the polariscopic test 2-100 of
cent per pound and fractions of a de-
gree in proportion.
Sugar above No. is Dutch stand
ard in color and sugar that has gone
through process of refining, lie cents
per pound duty and in addition there
to on all the foregoing 95 per cent ad
valorem. Sugars not above No. is
Dutch standard in color, tank bottoms.
sirups of cane juice and beet juice
melada, concentrated melada, concrete
and concentrated molasses, testing by
the polariscope not more than 81 de-
grees, 20 per cent ad valorem. Molasses
testing above 40 degrees and not more
than Sc degrees 4 cents per gallon;
testing Sc degrees and not above 70 de-
grees, cents per gallon"
The Wool Schedule.
First class woods are placed at
cents per pound instead of II cents and
the second class at cents instead of
IL. Third class woods of a value of 10
cents a pound pay duty of cents
per pound instead of 80 per cent ad
valorem; above 10 cents per pound val
ue cents per pound duty.
The metal schedule is very low, far
below the rates of the Dingley bill, ex-
cept on cutlery, in which the rates are
proportionately high, which was due
perhaps to the strength of the New
England men in the committee.
One of the most important provi-
sions of the bill is that general clause
providing that the duties on all articles
imported from all countries which pay
bounty shall pay an additional duty
equal to the amount of such bounty.
This applies to all schedules, although
inserted in the sugar schedule. 1t will
be made a general principle of Repub-
lican policy.
In the wool schedule the rates on fine
grades of wool are low and are raised
on fine carpet woods. This was a con-
cesson to the far western senators and
illustrates the idea of concession that
has been carried out in all the sched-
ules in order to get support for the bill
in the senate.
Works of art are free, including
books, except such articles of art as
are imported for the purpose of gen
eral utility. This qualification was
made to cover the case of the importa-
ton of fancy fans and mating. which
have been coming In as works of art
Personal luggage is also free, except
such articles as are used for personal
adornment.
Fish on the Free List.
A very important new provision in
the bill is that which admits fish free
of duty. This provision is inserted as
stimulus TO the fishing industry of
the great lakes.
The duty on lead bearing ore is in
creased from l cent, as in the Dingley
bill, TO IL cents.
The duty on watches, clocks and
is fixed at 40 per cent ad
valorem; on jewels used therein 10 per
cent ad valorem.
The duty of 80 per 1000 feet on pine
lumber is the same as the Dingley bill. |
There was great pressure to make the
rate 81, and the lumber men were di-
vided in their opinion. The rate was
left at 81, with a provision for adding
the export duty levied by any country.
The duty on mixed or packed tobac-
co, unstemmed, is $3.50 per pound: IL !
stemmed, 1925 per pound; filler tobac-
co, unstemmed, 35 cents per pound II
stemmed. so cents per pound. This is
a slight reduction from Dingley
rates. All other tobacco, manufactured
or manufactured, is 40 cents per
pound. Cigarettes are SO per pound.
The tobacco schedule is accompanied
by an important provision making a
detailed invoice necessary, with a GER
tification from the secretary of the
treasury as to the original quality of
the tobacco, before entry is made.
The bill contains an important provi-
sion in regard to tea and fixes the duty
at 10 cents per pound until Jan. /, 1900,
after which date 1t shall be admitted
free.
Copper is placed on the free list. 1t
carried a small duty in the Dingley bill.
Instead of the retroactive clause of
the Dingley bill the amended bill is to
take effect July 1. but this is a shift
ing date and win be fixed finally when
the bill becomes q law.