The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-27
Vhc Treasury Department Has Knotty
"a. Tariff Problem on Hand.
Decided That Bill Took Effect
Saturday Morning.
Coanct In Paragraph Placing Duty on Hides
Much Money Involved.

r Washington. Judy H.-Problems re-
karding the new tariff are beginning TO
accumulate at the treasury department,
and the ingenuity and knowledge Of the
Officially IL taxed to answer them. The
question when the new duties took ef-
feet was decided yesterday, 80 far as the
treasury department has power to decide
It. Assistant Secretary Howell issued
circular letter OF instruction to colec-
aors, Informing them that all merchan-
disc entered at the custom house on and
after July "a, under the rates of the act
last mentioned, will be subject to liqui-
dalton. under the provisions Of the new
act. This action has been taken to pro-
tsct the interests Of the government In
case their view should prove to be cor
rect. 1t liz not necessarily final, and an
appeal Is expeced by importers TO the
courts.
Section 262 places the duty ON
plums at 20 cents per bushel, and section
264 fixes the rate at cents per pound
IAN error In the paragraphs as TO cur
rants was corrected In conference. An
other section fixes the rate OF duty on
hides Of cattle at Is per cent ad valorem,
and admits raw skins free. The ques-
tion involved Is the classification Of calf
skins, II being contended that commerce.
ally calf skins are not classed as hides
OF cattle, and hence Is entitled to free
entry, which Is believed to be contrary
to the purpose of congress.
Attention Is also called to the fact that
the provision as to licenses for customs
brokers was. by inadvertence, II is be-
1ieved. left out of the act. Circulars are
In preparation constituting a number of
the sections of the act. Persons enter
ing this country are permitted under
certain restrictions to bring with them
duty free usual and reasonable furni-
ture." This Is interpreted to mean such
furniture as would be reasonable and
useful for the personal use of persons In
their condition In life.
A formal circular OF instructions
covering fully the departments, Views
on the subject will be printed and mailed
to all customs collectors. The opinion
Of the attorney general has not been re-
quested on the matter. the department
holding that the question Is of sufficient
Importance to justify them In taking 1t
to the courts for final determination, in
dependent OF what the views of the law
officers Of the government might be as
to the merits of the case.
Sufficient data upon which to base a
close estimate of the amount OF duties
involved has not been received, but II Is
stated roughly that 1t probably will be
between 100000 and $500. 900. The in
ternal revenue department probably
will have even a greater amount by the
new ruling than the customs branch Of
the service. During the five days from
Tuesday, July 90 to and including Satur-
day July "a, the internal revenue stamp
agencies sold approximately s5,1S1, 800
in beer stamps alone, and Of this
amount it is estimated that not more
than one-thlrd or 81, ,727. .266 reached their
destination before the act went into eff
feet.
Commissioner Forman yesterday tele-
graphed all stamp agents to settle only
on the basis of the increased rate Of 71h
cents per barrel, and it is expected that
these instructions will apply to all cases
where the stamps were not actually af-
fixed to the packages before the new rate
became operative. No figures as to
amount of cigaret stamps disposed OF
have yet been received, but il is believed
that the sales have been abnormally
large, as the rate OF tax on cigarets.
speaking generally. was increased 100
per cent, or from 80 cents per 1000 to 81,
the inducements to tobacco manufactur-
'ers to lay in as large supply were even
greater than In the case Of the brewers