The Washington times., 1909-11-06
Customs Officials Are Put
ting Liberal interpretations
on Classification.
TENDENCY. TOWARD
THE LOWER DUTIES
Distinct Departure From Policy
That Has Long Prevailed in
Treasury Department.

Under the administration of Secretary
OF the Treasury MacVeagh. and since
the new tariff law went into effect, the
customs officials are interpreting clas-
sihoation questions in favor of lower
tariffs rather than the higher ones.
This is distinct departure from the
policy that long prevailed in the Treas
ury Department. It was well known
Treasury was to resolve doubts in the
administration Of the tariff law in ia
vor of higher duties.
Now the tendency is in the other di-
rection- Persons at all familiar with
tariff affairs know that it means great
deal whether the doubts that arise in
administration are resolved in favor Of
the lower duties or the higher ones.
MacVeagh's Theory.
Secretary MacVeagh is credited with
taking the view that the present law
was a downward revision law in theory.
Therefore, in solving doubtful questions,
It is reasonable 10 suppose that Con
gress meant the lower duty rather than
the high one TO apply. Moreover. Secre-
tary MacVeagh is not a high tariff man.
1t is well known that his leanings are
toward moderate duties. 1t is safe to
say that Mr.. MacVeagh would not be
likely TO be found showing up tariff
rates by Interpretation any more than
he had TO. no matter what the theory
Of Congress had been as TO the tariff
measure
It is supposed. too. that President Taft
takes the same view as Secretary Mac
Veagh, that in cases of doubt It is bet
ter to settle in favor of lower duties,
and thus give the public the benefit Of
the doubt. The Presidents inclinatiOns
toward lower duties were made manifest
when the new Iariff measure was IN con-
ference.
Seldom Heard Of.
Little has been heard of the question
Of interpretation of the tariff measure.
It was well known. back in the days Of
the Dingley law. especially in the ad-
H.inistration Of Secretary Shaw. who
was strong high. tariff man. that the
draft Of Interpretation was toward
higher duties in cases where il was not
a certainty what the law meant
Illustrating the present tendency to
impose the lower duty rather than the
higher one. the other day the question
of what duty to impose on certain deco
rated china dolls came before the GUS
toms officers at New York If classified
as dolls heads. they were dutiable at
- per cent, but II elias sified as decorated
china they were dutiGble at 60 per cent.
Gives Lower Rate.
The Treasury decided the So per cent
duty should be assessed In this in
stance. il would have been easy by the
mere shifting of classification TO impose
p per cent more duty.
An outcry IS bein graised Just now
by the manufacturers of cheaD watches
IN this country because the Treasury. in
assessing duties On certain foreign cheap
watches under the classification of lew
elry. This results in lower duties Tnan
II the imports were classified under the
head Of watches
II IS probable that a good deal viii be
heard Of this question Of INTERPRETATION
OF the customs law later on, Il the high
SsT'n forces Of the country conclude
that imporJatiOns are being increased
ury Department.