The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1909-08-25
SUNDAY DUTY MOST VITAL
Men. Women and Children Affected by
Items Which show Increase In
New Bill.

paper, points out that the blanket
schedule of the new tariff bill covers
articles used by the common people
To the value of nearly $4,000. 600. 0UO.
lie says:
Under blanket schedule known as
"sundries,' congress has dealt with
customs duties affecting articles. al
most $4,000, O00.0 900 worth of which
are consumed by the people of the
United States.
This schedule may be described as
a basket into which has been thrown
every conceivable thing not provided
for in the preceding 10 classitications.
An idea of the variety may be gained
by the mere statement that the range
extends from feather busters to btu
minous coal and from human hair to
gunpowder. Women are concerned be-
cause 1t covers the duties on hats.
bonnets, and hoods, and materials
therefor beads and bead ornaments,
fans, furs, and jewelry
Housewife Is Interested.
The housewife is interested because
it deals with brooms, brushes, buttons,
and matches; men because it includes
pool balls, and pipes and smokers ar
tiCles; both sexes because of gloves
and boots and shoes; children because
of toys; farmers because of agricult-
ural implements, and millionaires be
cause of yachts.
The manufacturer is affected by
changes of duties not only on some of
these articles but on bituminous coal.
gunpowder for whatever purpose
used. leather and manufactures there
Of. musical instruments, Photographs
and similar articles, and photographers
because their supplies are subject to
duties under this schedule.
There were several "sundries" the
luties on which precipitated hi ter
Shts in congress, notably women,
ma children's gloves, bituminous Goa.
boots and shoes. and leather goods
generally. In connection with the first
named articles there was an innu-
entail cabal in congress, formed by A
New York glove manufacturer, which
sought to have the glove duties raised
to an outrageous figure for the osten-
ible purpose of developing an industry
in the United States. AS a matter of
fact there was no justification for
anything of the kind Nevertheless
the house of representatives adopted
he increases.
Storm of Protest Effective.
Such storm of protest beat upon
the senate from all sections of the
country that that body amended the
house bill and restored the Dingley
rate. Defeated in the upper house the
al
ferees. Fortunately President Taft
"ealized the seriousness of the situa-
ton and he insisted that the Dingley
rates should maintain. This action
finally was taken by congress
When the president received -
congressman favoring high duties on
raw materials he announced in no un-
certain tone that raw hides must be
admitted free. He also favored the
free admission of bituminous coal. 1t
was shown in connection with the lat
ter that the situation of labor. particu-
larry in the northwestern coal mines
was such that the removal of the duty
would affect their earning capacity
He therefore agreed to accept re-
duction of the duty from 81 cents per
ton to As cents a ton.
Question of Hide Duties.
In the presidents judgment a diff
ferent position existed with respect to
hides. Under the Dingley law the
duty on hides of cattle was Is per
cent and cattle raisers throughout the
country insisted it ought not to be re-
moved The president could not be
convinced, however, that there was
any ground for continued protection
of this product. He demanded the
abolition of the entire duty and SEN
ators and representatives especially
from the northwestern states sulkily
granted this concession but only on
condition that there should be reduc-
tons in the duties on boots and shoes,
saddlery. and harness and other
leather products.
AS this was in line with Mr.. Taft's
desire he accepted the compromise"
After October /, next, therefore, sole
leather will pay duty of per cent,
boots and shoes 10 per cent, and har-
ness. saddles, and saddlery 20 per
cent. Patent, japanned, vanished.
and enameled leather and pianoforte
heather also will pay lower duties.
Beads and Bead Ornaments.
NO change was made by congress in
the rates on beads and bead orna-
ments, millinery, or buttons. The
duties on toys, which includes dolls,
toy marbles, etc, of which $1,000, 900
worth annually are imported. remains
as before. The patriot who desires to
celebrate the Fourth of July with i'm
ported firecrackers will continue to
pay a duty of s cents a pound. Upon
fireworks the duty has been increased
almost fourfold.
A reduction Of duty has been made
on gunpowder and all explosive sub
stances, whether used for mining,
blasting, artillery, or sporting pur-
poses. As the match industry in the
United States has ceased to be of in
fantie proportions congress reduced
the duty on its products.