The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-15
CHANGES IN CUBAN TARIFF.
PORTER TARIFF DID LITTLE FOR
AMERICAN TRADE.

/ Nhnue IN the Spahlbh tnC
| Benefit to American Trade Was
SliEht-Another Tariff Has Been
Provided and n Test of 1t VIII BE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Made on Some OF
the Food Products.
! Washington, May 1.-THE war depart
ment has made public simultaneously here
and In Havana the schedule of the revised
Cuban tariff, which goes into effect June
10 next.
The revision has been effected with diff
Guilty, and the schedules have travelled
back and forth between Washington and
Havana half dozen times before they
have been so perfected as to be ready for
PRONUNCIATION.
The revised tariff will, II IS calculated,
slightly increase the revenues of the is
| land, which were last year approximately
$l6,000,0O0. The primary purpose of the
revision of the Porter tariff was not as
has been supposed, to provide against a
deficiency in revenues, but rather to re-
classify the imports and especially TO
stimulate importations from the United
States.
The trade between Cuba and the Uni ell
States has not augmented since the Amer
lean occupation and even the application
of the Porter tariff was not attend d by
| any benefit in the increase Of the agsre-
J gate volume of trade In fact, Cuban
merchants being relieved from the Spanish
obligation to purchase in one market have
not turned to the United States since ihev
| were released from that obligation, end
consequently, of the imports into Cuba.
! less than 90 per cent. originate in the
| United States.
Sweeping Cuts Were Made.
The Porter tariff made sweeping cuts in
the old Spanish tariff, and in the very be-
ginning attention was directed to food
| products; 1t was felt to be just that ttese
necessaries of life should sustain as little
! tax as possible. So cattle were admitted
at duty of 81 per head, and foodstuffs
generally paid only 10 per cent. ad Na-o-
rem.
The military officials in charge of the
island were surprised to witness the effect
of these changes. The prices of food did
not go down in Cuba; i'm case of several
| staples at least, they actually advanced.
Lack of competition and conservatism are
the reasons assigned for this state of af-
fairs. t@
There may be a remedy in reciprocity
from the United States. At any rate the
tariff revisers felt that they could do lit
tie to meet this strange situation, and rec
commended that the few changes they sub
NIT be tested for another year before more
radical measures be employed. Therefore
about the only important reduction made
by them in the food schedules is in the
duty on salt cod and stock fish largely
consumed IN Cuba), which is reduced
from 81 to 81.
Some Important Changes.
There are many other changes in the
other schedules, however that are believ-
J ed to be of the greatest Importance TO
American exporters doing business with
Cuba, and these are set out In the Hollow
ing summary:
In class l. stones, earths, ores, etc, the
duty on earths employed in the manufac-
turers of arts. including lime and gypsum
has been reduced from GO cents to 20 dents
per 100 kilos, and on cement from 60 cents
to 80 cents per 100 kilos. -
Dishes of holloware have been reduced
from $3.50 to SO. A special provision has
been made for flower pots of common
earthenware, the duty being 81 per 100
kilos.
In class 2, metal and manufactures
thereof, the duty on gold and silver p ate
in group / has been changed from $3.50 iec
l1ilo to IS per cent. ad valorem.
In group of this class the duty on wire
gauze up TO twenty threads per inch las
been increased from 50 to s. per 100 kilos
and of 20 or more per inch increased from
cents to 10 cents per lIilo. In this par
agraph special provision has been made
for saddlery and hardware.
The para graphs for cutlery and firearms
have been remodeled
Certain allowances have been made in
plumbers supplies when to be used exclu-
sively in the sanitary reconstruction Of
the island. Group of this class has been
almost entirely remodelled,
In class 3, substances employed in phar-
macy and chemical inGustry-ehioTide Of
sodium common salD, crude, has been
reduced from 20 to 20 cents per 100 kilos
The same when ground, powdered, or
otherwise being at the rate of 50 cents per
kllos
Oils and Soap.
In group of this class, solid vegetable
oils-cocoa, palm, etc, have been increas-
ed from 81 50 to IS and a special classih-
cation has been made for cotton seed oil
| to be used exclusively in the manufacture
of soap, the duty being 80 cents per 100
kilcs The duty on cod liver oil has been
charged from $1.47 10 $50 per 100 kilos
on articles made of stearine, paraf1ne
aud wax of all kinds, the duty has been
changed from $40 to IS.
The paragraph for soap has been sub
divided and now reads as follows:
Common soap In bars, including CASTLE
soap and ordinary securing compositions
pe7 100 kilos. IS. Ordinary toilet soap in
cakes or tablets, per 100 kilos so. Fine
toilet soaps, whether fancy, perfumed or
not, all others including so-called medici-
nal SOAPS, per 100 kilos, $40"
The paragraph relating to perfumery
and essences has also been subdivided and
the duty is now on value less than SIPS
per kilo, Is cents per kilo. On value more
than sl.25 per kilo, q cents per kilo, and
% per cent. ad valoren.
Class L. Cotton and manufactures there
of-renalns unchanged. Class g. hemp
tu e. pita, flax and other vegetable fibres
the duty on each paragraph in groups has
been slightly increased,
In class s. Bristies, hair and horse hair
paid on duty OF 40 per cent. ad valorem,
which was higher than the duty on the
manufactured brushes. The duty is now as
follows: Brushes, 10 per cent. ad valorem
bristle brushes, 20 per cent, ad valorem
hair and horsehair 40 per cent ad va
orem.
Raw wool has been reduced from 40 per
cent 10 % per cent ad valorem. Wooden
yarn has been increased from 40 per cent