New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-23
THE TARIFF OF GUAM.
LITTLE DIFFICULTY IN UNDERSTANDING
GOVERNOR LEARY's SCHEDULES.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUNE.J


Washington, Jan. Ex-Governor Leary of Guam.
who is also a captain in the United States Navy,
appears to be a man not only Of great versatility
but also Of quick decision, and who is also
ready to assume responsibility and act promptly.
Evidence Of this is found in six page pamphlet,
with a bright green paper cover. entitled Tariff
Rates OF GUAM and printed at Agana, Guam, No
vember 8, 1899. After he had issued the document
and his tariff had taken effect Captain Leary
transmitted copies of 1t to the Navy Department
by which a copy referred to the Treasury De
partment. 1t returned by the latter to Acting
Secretary Allen of the Navy Department with
reminder that the Secretary of the Treasury had
no jurisdiction over tariff matters in the newly
acquired insular possessions and suggestion that
II be referred to the Secretary of War, who did
have jurisdiction. The suggestion was adopted
and the document finally received by Robert
H Porter. the Special Tariff Commissioner for
Cuba, who has revised Captain Learys tariff with
the approval Of the Navy Department. and the
vision will be published.
The United States is rich in tariffs. having
the Leary tariff applicable to Guam; the Philip
pine tariff, the Hawaiian tariff, the Puerto Rican
tariff and the Cuban tariff. framed and proclaimed
under the supervision and authority of the Secre-
tary of War, and the Dingley tariff applicable to
the rest of the world. and each differing from all
the others. The Leary tariff is simplicity itself
One will have right to complain that he can
not understand Its provisions. except perhaps, in
one or two cases, as, for example. when he finds
in place that manufactures of fax bear a duty
of As per ad valorem and In another place
that the duty linen goods is 80 per cent ad
valorem But such strokes Of tariff making genius
do not adorn the Leary tariff to any great extent
Otherwise it is plain sailing, for the rocks and
reefs of schedules are absent and the list Of
dutiable articles is alphabetically arranged.
The first article the list is absinthe, and the
duty is IS gallon. and the second is anisette on
which the same duty is imposed. Brandy. gin.
kimmel rum, sak whiskey and champagne carry
the rate.
Captain Leary evidently decided that whenever
a native of Guam opened 'cod bottle he should
contribute generously to the island treasury. "Spir
it's except bay rum" to pay 81 gallon; claret,
hook, Sauterne and Burgundy 81 a gallon: sherry
port. etc, 81 gallon, and beer. ale and porter.
40 cents a gallon. Paintings and statuary'' are
placed on the free list, but chrome Autographs are
dutiable at 80 per cent ad valorem.
Captain Leary hopes to educate the taste of the
people of Guam by dscouragtng the importation
of cheap pictures adorn the walls of their homes.
He hopes also to curtail the Importation of gew-
gaws by imposing duty OF 60 per cent ad valorem
on jewelry and to repress any tendency toward
extravaganza in apparel by imposing like duty
on silk knit goods and 90 per cent ad valorem on
artificial flowers
Beads of glass coral pay a duty Of 50 per cent
ad valorem. Boots and shoes are to pay only 20
per cent ad Valorem and cotton hosiery 10 cent,
and cotton gloves and handkerchiefs rs per cent,
which is the same as the duty on cigars and
cigarettes A duty of 40 cents a bushe is imposed
on onions, while potatoes are admitted free or
duty which would seem to be an unfair discrimina-
ton against the stronger vegetable
provisions: First export duty of three pesos ton
is imposed on copra, except 1t be exported to the
United States territory, except alcoholic liquors,
to be admitted free of duty; third the several
third day Of November, 1899 A note appended to
the tarff conveys the information that the several
rates Of duty are to be computed and paid in
Mexican silver coin or It's equivalent