The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-30
STAMP DICTUM
AGAINST TRUST
independents Win Controversy
Over Customs Label in Treas
ury Department. ...

Washington, Sept. 30.-The fight be- |
Aween the tobacco trust and the indie
nendents over the size, location ana
color of the customs stamp on 1mporte'e
Cigars desided beday IN tav s a Oh
bounced by Secretary Shaw, who unex'
pectedly returned day ahead OF time,
hut it was first approved by the presi.
dent. who held many conferences on the
subject with different officials, and rep
1esents his views.
The decision practically is complete
victory for the independents and vim
dication of Assistant Secretary Arm
strong, whose ruling is upheld on the
essential points. ;4,,
cigars exposed in case there Will be
nothing in the appearance of the boxes
to distinguish the imported ones from
the domestic, which is Just what the IN
dependents have been lighting for. For
the purchacer who wants proof that ne
Is getting an imported cigar 1T Will pc
necessary to remove the box from inc
case and hold it up so that the bottom
can be seen. ."
Like Trademark.
Secretary Shaw, in his statement &C
osmpanying the decision, SAID:
"The testimony established the fact
that the present stamp. IS used as .
this trademark is valuable to them ana
confers an advantage upon them as
against the manufacturers of cigars IN
the United States, and that cigars are
III effect the only commodity imported
into the United States that receives Vhe
bsneft of such a trademark.
Gin view of the fact that this gov
eynment stamp in it's present form UNI
dDubtedly gives a pecunlary advantage
t. those using it, it seems that the order
already issued by the department is IN
Its essence proper. Inc goVelnhlenC ;
t. provide so far as possible against
f,aud, but it is not the government 8
business furnish a guaranty in the
f3rm of a TRADEMARKS for the, penent OF
&he goods. This should be lett IN the
tobacco business exactly as it is in all
osher businesses.
"The result of the decision will pro-
ts,ct the domestic manufacturers from
c1stom stamp available as an adver-
t{sement, and it protects the importer
BY giving him a stamp OF distinctive
color, which can be seen by purchaser
Ii he cares to make examination.
Means War on President.
The decision will, it is said, cause the
t3bacco trust and it's allied interests tC
wage open war on the president: 1t Is
expected that it's contribution will go tc
Gl6 democratic COulH1tGec,
Another feature Of the decision /!
that it is almost certain to cause {
serious split in the treasury depart
rent. The fight has developed an ex
eeedingly bitter feeling between AS
aistant Secretary Armstrong, who, a.
head Of the customs division, ordered
Che color of the stamp changed, AM
Assistant Secretary Taylor, who, a.
acting secretary, by order of the presi
Gent, ordered the execution of MI
Armstrong; ruling held up. pending.
fehearing and a final decision. MI
Taylor wanted to decide the question
before Secretary Shaw returned, SO h
would get the credit for the decisio
with the public, for all who wer
familiar with the case knew it was i
the hands of the president. Mr.. Tay
lor knew that Mr.. Shaw was expecte
back tomorrow and he planned to al
nounce the decision today. Mr.. Shaw
who had been telegraphed an intimatio
as to how things were going, returne
In time to surprise and disappoint M
Taylor by taking the case into his ow
hands. This has led to friction betwee
Mr.. Shaw and Mr.. Taylor. Beyond thi
Mr.. Armstrong is Mr.. Shaw's proteg
and the latter resents the activity an
open hostility displayed by Mr.. Taylc
to Mr.. Armstrong. AS the matte
stands now, it seems certain that e1the
Secretary Shaw and Mr.. Armstrong {
Mi. Taylor will have to 20.