The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-21

The recent edict of the Russian govern
ment adding 80 per cent. to the present du-
ties on a large and important class OF
American manufactures has caused quite
an excitement among manufacturers. AS
it embraces agricultural implements ana
all sorts of farm machinery it will have a
very Injurious effect on Western manu-
facturers. A movement is on foot TO as
semble the leading manufacturers OF agrl-
cultural implements at Chicago TO canvass
the situation and take steps towards apply
ing a remedy. The manufacturers OF the
Ohio valley are also greatly stirred up
The Manufacturers Club of Cincinnati mas
appointed a committee to take such action
as may be thought necessary, and the CO.
operation of the National Association OF
Manufacturers has been secured to aid IN
bringing about a reconsideration or Inc
action taken by one or both governments
The board Of directors OF the ILLINOIS
Manufacturers Association held a meeting
on Monday, at which they adopted resolu-
tons declaring:
That the recent ruling of the Treasury
department. Ol llt HldllCl VI
of sugar from Russia will. under existing
circumstances and the retaliatory attitude
taken by the Russian government, most
seriously affect. if not destroy. the export
trade of this country to Russia.
nat the total imports OF sugar from
Russia amounted in 1900 TO only $3iO,WO ana
the exports from this to that country
amounted to over 100000 of which
amount more than one-half went from III
nois.
That the exports from this country TO
Russia nave been annually largely increas-
ing. with every prospect of so continuing.
That the ruling of the Treasury. Depart
ment is believed not 10 be within the spirit
or TIE intent of the law. and II 1t stands
rnreversed will work great injustice to our
manufacturing interests and the many
thousands employed therein.
Another meeting of the association was
called for next Saturday to take steps to-
wards securing n rehearing or reversal OF
Secretary Cages decision. At both meet
ings in Chicago and Cincinnati there was
shown a disposition to censure Secretary
Gage for precipitating a tariff war which
threatens such disastrous results to an
important and growing branch of American
trade. This seems unjust. The secretary
of the treasury does not make tariff laws,
but it is his duty to enforce them. What
ever the spirit or intent of the law may
be, as averred by the Chicago manufacture
ers, its letter is plain. 1t is mandatory in
requiring the imposition of an additional
duty of 100 per cent. on all sugar imported
from any country that pays a bounty on
the expectation of the article, and requires
the secretary of the treasury 'to make all
needful regulations for the assessment and
collection of such additional duties" The
question is not whether Russia exports
much or little sugar. Ii she pays a bounty
On exported sugar.. no matter how little
Russian sugar comes to the United States
IT. must pay double duty. If the secretary
OF the treasury has erred he can be over
ruled by the board of appraisers or the
United States Court, and that remedy
| should be tried at once. If his ruling is
| sustained there is nothing left but to amend
| the tariff law or abide the consequences of
its enforcement. Certainly American
craftsmanship should be equal to the work
Of making some provision that will save a
/ large and growing branch of American
trade from being wiped out in retaliation
, for imposing double duty on a trifing
amount of Russian sugar.