Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-27
ALL BUSINESS OF July "a
Comes Under the New Tariff BilI-G Great Gains
in Revenue Reported.

Washington, July 26.-The secretary
of the treasury holds that the new tar
III act was in effect at the beginning
OF the day on which it received the APP
prevail Of the President and therefore
became operative after midnight on
Friday. July 30. Assistant Secretary
Howell, today, sent the following tele-
gram to collectors of customs: depart
ment holds that the new tariff law
covers and includes all customs bush
ness of July 24.''
formal circular of Instructions
covering more 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 requested on the matter. the
department holding that the question
is of sufficient importance to Justify
them in taking it to the courts for
final determination. independent of
what the views of the law officers of
the government might be as to the
merits of the case
Senator Allison was at the treasury
department, today. and in the course
Oh conversation on the subject said
that in his opinion there was no rea-
sonable doubt that the act covered all
OF the day on which it became a law.
This also is the view of all the promi-
heht ofhcials of the treasury depart
ment, including the collectors of GUS
toms at New York and several of the
leading ports of the country.
Sufficient data upon which to base a
close estimate of the amount of duties
involved has not been received but il
is stated roughly that it probably will
be between 100000 and 100000. The
internal revenue department probably
VIII save even greater amount by the
new ruling than the customs branch Of
the service. During the five DAYS from
Tuesday, July 20, to and including Sat
urday, July "a. the internal revenue
stamp agencies sold approximately S.
lsl.S0O in beer stamps alone and of this
amount it is estimated that not more
than one-third. or s1,727, 2e6, reached
their destination before the act went
into effect.
me savings to the government on
these sales of beer stamps alone is ex-
pected to aggregate not less than $751;
600. Commissioner Forman. TODAY.
teiegraphed all stamp agents to settle
oniy on the basis of the increased rate
Oh ~ cents per barrel. and it is ex-
pected that these instructions will an
ply 10 all cases where the stamps were
not actually affixed to the packages
before the new rate became operative.
NO figures as to amount of cigarette
stamps disposed of have yet been re-
ceived. but it is believed that the sales
nave been abnormally large. as the
rate OF tax on cigarettes. speaking gen.
orally. was increased 100 per cent, or
from 90 cents per thousand to 81. the
inducements to tobacco manufacturers
to lay in large supply being even
greater than in the case of the brewers.
The treasury officials already have
discovered number of Inconsistencies
IN the new tariff act, some Of them
1t is feared, being incapable of recon-
citation. II is pointed out that section
262 places the duty on plums at 25 cents
per bushel and section 264 fixes the
rate at cents per pound. An error in
the paragraphs as to currants was cor
rected in conference. Another section
likes the rate of duty on hides Of cattle
at 10 per cent. ad valorem and admits
raw skins free. The question involved
IS the classification of calf skins. It be-
Ing commended that commercially calf
skins are not classed as hides Of cat.
lie. and hence is entitled to free entry.
which is believed to be contrary TO the
purpose Of Congress-
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