The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-05-04
THE TARIFF TAX.
Much Over 100 Per Cent On Many
Articles.

That the present tariff tax on many articles
exceeds 100 per cent. of their cost, although
it has been denied by Speaker Cannon and
other Republicans that should know better,
was conclusivey shown by Hon. John Sharpe
Williams, the Democratic leader, in speech
in the House of Representatives on March
9th. He enumerated the following articles
on which the duty is greater than 100 per cent:
Chalk, such as tailor's, billiards. lead and
French, LOG per cent. duty. There were
S34, 900 worth of importations, and the duty
paid was $50, 200.
On boracic acid, which is an article of or
binary use; two of the greatest borax mines
of the world being in this country; the duty is
I'D per cent. We imported $30,000 worth
and paid duty of $4,000 on the $4,000
worth imported.
On fannie or tannin the duty is l0& per
cent.
On nitric spirits of ether, $50 per cent. duty;
on sulphuric ether, 236 per cent. duty; cotton
duck, over square yards to the pound, III
per cent duty.
Manufacture of cordage, cables of fiber of
seven lea yarns, 108 per cent. duty; another
size l2S per cent. still another $50 per cent;
fourth, 236 per cent, and fifth, 500 per
cent. As matter of course we did not i'm
port any cordage of that kind, because the
duty is so high.
Gill netting, Ave lea yarns, 104 per cent.
Even with the duty there were $3.50 worth
imported and the duty paid upon this was
81, $40.
.Ffrecrackers'-sur the poor little chill
dren ought not to be taxed when they become
patriotic on the Fourth of July-l26 per cent.
Cheap spectacles-that the poor people
wear-1l6 per cent.
Common window glass, which is the kind
n
We imported $50, 600 worth aud the duty paid
duty; there were $50, 900 worth OF imports
and sos, 900 was the duty paid. Size 30 by
40, l29 per cent. duty; above 40 by 80. 255
per cent. duty.
Looking glasses, "a by 80, 1870 per cent.
duty.
Plate glass, "a by GO, l42 per cent duty.
Pocket knife blades I03 per cent. duty.
Stocks tor double barreled guns $50 per
cent duty.
But not content with this evidence Of some
of the great burdens and inequalities Of the
present Republican tariff law, Mr.. Williams
added list of actual imporiatons with the
appraised value Of the same by the custom
house authorities aud the specific and ad val
orem duties collected. Il would take too
much space here 10 give all the details Of the
description, the cost aud the amount Of the
compound duties paid on each Importation,
but it can be found in the Congressional
Record of March 6, 1903, on page 1861
The articles include wooden and cotton fan
nels, dress goods, wooden goods, plate glass,
cheese, rice, beer, watch movements and mica.
On all these the duties paid for exceeded 100
per cent.
Mr. Williams introduced bill at the be.
ginning of the present Congress to amend the
tariff law. so that no rate of duty. adding the
specific rate per pound or yBrd, 10 the al
vAlorem rate on the value OF the goods IN lhg
country from which exported, should exceed
100 per cent. He did not expect the Bill to
pass but to show the people OF the country that
the Republican majority OF Congress refuses
TO even consider such palpable plundeFiug e
the people, which evidently will continue until
the voters see il Is to their interest to elect
Democratic Congress.
fthe tariff tax paid was the end Of the INST
ter there would bs the satisfaction Of knowing
that the tax went to the support Of the goycra
merit and could be eyaded by refusing 70 par
chase imported goods Bot the trusts aud
combines that control the production ofsimilar
articles made IN this country, are protected by
those high tariff duties in adding 10 the price
at which thev SELL nearly as much extra profit
as the tariff tax would be on the imported
goods. So the American consumer. Who can
not aSord 10 buy imported goods. Is suil
obliged to pay nearly as much tax TO the trusts
and combines IS be would pay 10 the govern
ment. II the tariff was reduced the trusts
would have TO reduce their profits in proper
ton, or the people would bay the imported
goods
That Is why the Democrats believe In re
vising the tariff, so that through competition.
or the fear Of il, the trusts would haze 20 re
duce their prices to reasonable profit