The Washington weekly post., 1900-05-15
CUT In THE CUBAN TARIFF.
Concessions Made with View TO stimu-
lating ImpOrtati0ns.

The War Department has made public
simultaneously here and In Havana the
schedules OF the revised Cuban tariff.
which goes into effect June IS next The
revision has been effected with difficulty,
end the schedules have Travelled back ana
forth between Washington and Havana
half dozen times before they have been
so far perfected as TO be ready for pro-
mitigation. The revised tariff Will. II IS
calculated, slightly increase the revenues
of the island. which were last year ap-
proximately $l5O0o.0oO
The primary purpose OF the revision OF
the original Porter tariff was not. as had
been supposed. TO provide against
deficiency in revenues. bat rather to
Iecassify the imports, and espe-
ciaIly TO stimulate impOrtations from
the United States. The trade be
tween Cuba and the United States has
not augmented since the American occd-
patton, and even the application OF the
Porter tariff was not attended by any ben
eft in the increase Of the aggregate vol
ume Of trade. In fact, Cuban merchants,
being relieved from the Spanish obligation
TO purchase in one market, have not turn
ed TO the United States since they were
released from that obligation, and, con-
sequently, of the imports into Cuba less
than 80 per cent originate in the United
States.
The Porter tariff made sweeping cuts in
the old Spanish tariff. and in the very be-
ginning attention was directed to food
products; il was felt to be just that these
necesSdTies of life should sustain as little
tax as possible. So cattle were admitted
at a duty of 81 per head, and food stun
generally paid only Is per cent ad valo-
rem. The military authorities in charge
of the island were surprised to witness
the effect of these changes. The prices CT
food did not go down in Cuba; in case or
several staples at least, they actually ad-
vanced. Lack of competition and conserv-
atism are the reasons assigned for this
state of affairs. There may be a remedy
in reciprocity with the United States At
any rate, Mr.. Porter and the other
tariff revisers felt that they could
do little to meet this strange situa-
ton, and recommended that the few
changes they submit be tested for another
year before more radical measures 2-e
employed. Therefore, about the only i'm
portant reduction made by them in the
food schedules is in the duty on salt cod,
and stock fish nargely consumed in Cuba),
which is reduced from 8 TO 81, and in the
duty on wheat flour, reduced from $l.30
TO 81
There are many other changes in the
other schedules, however, that are be
lieved TO be of the greatest importance 10
American exporters doing business with
Cuba
1t has been apparent TO all acquainted
with the working of the Cuban tariff that
the rates of duty put upon the schedule
for machinery and railway materials and
supplies. namely, 40 per cent ad valorem,
is too high. The effect of this has been to
stop all importation of such articles, and
the revenue from these schedules has been
extremely small. In view of the necessity
for the construction and reconstruction OF
railroads in Cuba, and upon the assurance
given by the various companies that II
material for the construction and equip
ment could be imported at Il reduced rate
they will at once begin to import large
quantities, special provision has been
Inserted in the tariff which allows rail-
road companies to import these supplies
into the island for period of twelve
months from the date of PRONUNCIATION at
q rate of 10 per cent ad valorem.
Some few changes have been made in
the free list, one or two fresh additions
being made and one or two articles being
taken out and pat on the dutiabe list.
Crude petroleum is taken from the free
list and the original duty of 81 40 per 100
pounds restored. Petroleum and other
mineral oils, rectified or refined intended
for illumination or fabrication, per 100
pounds, $2 50.