The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-27
TARIFF INCONSISTENCIES.
Errors Which Are Perhaps Irreconcilia-
ble-Law Went Into Eject saturday.

Errors Which Are Perhaps Irreconcilia-
ble-Law Went Into Effect saturday.
Washington July 27.--The treasury
officials already have discovered a num-
ber of Inconsistencies in the new tariff
act, some of them. 1t is feared. being in
capable of reconciliation. 1t is pointed
out that section 262 places the duty on
plums at rs cents per bushel. and section
264 fixes the rate at 2 cents per pound.
An 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 10 per cent ad valorem,
and admits raw skins free. The ques-
tion involved is the classification OF calf
skins, IL being contended that commerci-
ally calf skins are not classed as hides
OF cattle. and hence is entitled 10 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-
lieved left out Of the act. Circulars are
In preparation constituting number Of
the sections OF the act. Persons enter
ing this country are permitted under
certain restrictions 10 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.
The secretary OF the treasury holds
that the new tariff act was in effect at
the beginning OF the day on which IL re-
ceived the approval OF the president. and
therefore became operative after mid
night on Friday. July 23
~. - s.--A
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-
uuested on the matter. the department
holding that the question is Of sufficient
Importance 10 justify them In taking IL
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 70 base a
close estimate of the amount of duties
involved has not been received, but II Is
stated roughly that ii probably will be
between 100000 and 100000. 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 20, to and including Satur-
day. July "a. the internal revenue stamp
agencies sold approximately s5.lS1, 500
In beer stamps alone. and Of this
amount II Is estimated that not more
than one-th,rd or 81. .727, ,266 reached their
destination before the act went into ef-
feet. The saving to the government on
these sales Of beer stamps is expected
TO aggregate not less than $685.
Commissioner Forman yesterday te1e-
graphed all stamp agents to settle only
on the basis Of the increased rate Of 7iA
cents per barrel and IL Is expected that
these instructions will apply 10 all cases
where the stamps were not actually af-
fxed 20 the packages before the new rate
became operative. No figures as TO
amount of ciCarct STAMPS disposed ot
have yet been received but ~ rs believed
that the sales have been nbncrmally
large. az the rate Of tax on cigarets
sp. akinE generally. was increased 11o
per cent. or from 80 cents per 1000 10 81.
the inducements 20 tobacco manufacture
crs 20 law In as large supply were even
greater than IN the case Of the brewers
WOMAN SENT TO ROCK PILE.
Danville. Ills. July 27.-Sex distinction
was wiped out I'm the police court az this