Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-03-17
TOday's Telegraphic News
The Tariff Bill.

Washington, ID. O., March l7.-Oon-
gress received the new tariff bill today
from the hands Of Representative Payne,
OF New York, whose name 1t will bear.
Mr.. Payne presented it as the product
Of five months work by the ways aud
means committee, of which he is chair
man, and nearly a year of his OWE
labors.
The bill contains about 100, 900 words
and is therefore twice as large SIS the
Dingley Law. The estimated revenue
under the tariff duties prescribed in the
bill amount to $500, 900, 900. This 10
an increase of about $40, 100000 over
the Dingley bill.
An inheritance tax, as recommended
by President Taft, is one of the most
striking features of the Payne bill. 1t
provides a tex on direct inheritsnces as
follows Ga inheritance Of from SO 900
to 500. 900, per cent; 100000 TO
$500, 900, 2 per cent, aud over $780,
600, 3 per cent. Collateral relatives
and strangers receiving inhertauces will
pay 5 per cent on all amounts over
$500. 1t is practically the New York
state law.
The bill also authorizes the issue OF
treasury certificates to the amount Of
$3.50. 900, 600 and to ruu for one year.
Coffee is left on the free list and no
change is made in the tax on beer.
A tax Of eight cents a pound is levied
on tea coming from the country where
1t is produced and nine cents on tea
coming from other countries. Tea is on
the free list in the Dingley Law.
Wood pulp, coming from any country
that docs not have an export duty on
certain forest products, is to be admitted
free.
Printing pspes duty 10 reduced 66i
aud 80 per cent according to value.
The tariff on lumber is reduced so per
cent. aud the same Is true of steel rails
and most other steel products. Goal is
placed on a reciprocal basis and 90 are
agricultural implements. They will be
received free from any country that adj
mits free similar articles from this
country. Wool of the first and second
class is unchanged. The same Ia irne
OF oil. A reduction Of cents per 100
pounds is made 10 refined sugar. Iron
ore is placed on the free list. Hides are
free and shoes reduced 40 per cent. The
rates are increased on window glass of
large, aud reduced on the email sizss,
The greater part of the increases have
been placed on Injuries and cuts have
been made where 1t was thought they
would increase the revenue to the best
advantage.
To introducing The bill in the House
Mr.. Payne presented statement pre-.
pared by his committee giving an ex-
bauslise explanation and analysis Of the
provisions OF the measure, which was in,
pert, as follows:
"The new tariff bill is a minimum
and msxium tariff bill. The minimum
rates of duty are contained In the fret
section, aud the free list for the minimum
rates is 10 the second section of the bill.
The third section contains the maximum
rates, which are generally equal to the
minimum rates and 20 per cent 10 sddi- |
tion thereto, and the articles on the free
li.t 10 the transfer to the tbird section,
bear duty Of 20 per centum ad vAlorem |
as maximum rate. The maximum |
rate does not 90 into effect in any event
until sixty days alter the passage Of the
act.
BY the fourth section the minimum
rates are applied to all goods imported
from any country which gives the
United States as good terms by way OF
Tariff as that given to any other nstiop,
and the msximum rates are applied to
those countries discrimiU atiUg against |
the trade of the Uoited States or fail TO |
give the United Station tariff rates as
favorable as those given any other |
nation. This section Is self acting MAX
ing it the duty of the executive to collect
the duties, whether minimum or maxi
mum, In accordance with the terms Of |
the bill, leaving IL open to the courts
to decide upon the legality of the action.
zone problem that confronted the COM
mitee was the question OF revenue.
The business OF all commercial nations
has been depressed for nearly two years,
aud thus had affected our commerce
and greatly reduced our revenues, 80
that we have a large deficit, but the
revenues under tbs present law are
from month to month, ~
business conditions are becoming better.
"With return to anything
like normal conditions during the next
fiscal year, 1t is safe to predict that the
deficit would be entirely wiped ou; but
in case it is not, the bill provides for
the Issue Of Panama canal bonds to 70.
imburse the treasury for the $40, 000,-
900 paid out 10 the original purchase OF
the canal. There is also re-enscted the
provision for the issue Of certificates to
ran one year to replenlsh the treasury,
raising the amount from one hundred
million 10 Two hundred aud fifty million
dollars, an amount sufficient to provide
1t any time az liust two or three years Of
depressed bushes conditions.
The bill ADDS rev paragraph 10 the
customs administrative act providing .
ba. the actual market value or whole
ale price, as defined BY law, Of any i'm
ported merchandise which is consigned 81
or sale 10 the United States shall
lot in any csse be appraised at D
ess thanNthe wholesale price at which :
uch or similar imported merchandise Is
ctuslly sold in usual wholesale quanti-
les in the United Safes in the open '
market has been paid.
"The bill provides for reciprt csl free
rsde With the Philippine islands on all
rlicIes, but limiting the sugar to be i'm
- - = A.. Onn O00 fona.