New-York tribune., 1909-03-18
WILL FIGHT TE4 DUTY.
Importers Talk of United Opposi-
TONY TariOus Ticzcs.

importers OF tea generally do nOt belieye he
proposed tax of eight cents a pound on imports
from producing and nine cents from non-uroducirc
countries, in the tariff schedule will stand
memoer OF one OF the largest distributing
Germs said that it might prevail II there not
united opposition. II learned yesterday tnst
the National Coffee and Tea Association would take
steps at to fight the tariff Washington. The
opinion OF importers that the duty would fall
on the consumers and retailers. and that there
would be no revenue for the government for over
eighteen months after the duty went into effect.
There was much buying yesterday. the market ed-
vancing on ali grades from two to three cents a
pound
W a. ". Melville representing Sir Thomas J.
Upton said evening that he surprised that
It proposed TO put the tariff tea and not on
coffee He believed that the change would be made
in the Senate. because duty on coffee would pro-
tect Porto Rican PLANTERS. whereas duty on tea
would be protection. and would not Yield
revenue for over year and a half. as heavy stocks
would be laid in forestan the duty.
II the tariff should be imposed Mr. Melville said,
the cost TO the consumer. adding interest 10 the
added cost of the tea. would advance AT least /"
cents pound. Cheaper teas would be used and
the consumption would decrease. Tea had become
a necessity. and was no longer luxury. he de-
cared. and she better classes OF all nationaitIes
using ii and more. especially the He
brevs. Germans also were becoming large users.
and the demand for better grades had steadily IN
creased
Thomas A Phelan ST. Of George ". Lane & Co.
No. 90 Front street importers. raid that the duty
would cause a marked decrease in the purchase oy
retailers OF good The retailers would be afraid
raise the price, fearing that some dealers Wou4d
do likewise and in consequence. to meet the
increase and yet not raise the price for the con-
sumer. poorer grades would pe SUBSTITUTED MI
Phclan added
''The effect Of an Increase would be felt Tor the
next ten years. All high grade teas would De dis
coursged Poor grades would take the place OF tbs
standard grades at present, and unless person
capable OF judging he would be sold an IN
ferior sort
George Hewlett. OF Hewlett & Lee. tea import
ers No. l0I Wall street. did not believe that the
duty would decrease the importation OF the higher
grades He said that the exporters would snare
the duty with the importers. retailers would have
TO raise their prices OF less, and there would
be no marked effect she importation Of tea Inc
duty would shared al around, he said
W. A Courtney. OF No 81 Water street, I'M
porer OF Ceyon tea, believed that the retail dealer
would have 10 pay the bulk OF the advance II the
duty was imposed He said that there was q rush
by buyers yesterday for low grade teas but he de-
clared that the final result would be q demand for
the better grades. Customers would feel that. as
they had TO pay much mora, they might as well
get a high grade Mr.. Courtney said that buying
would decrease great deal at first, but eventually
the market would adjust itself.
Charles De Cordova, OF No IS Wall street, importer
OF Fornoss teas, said yesterday that the DUTY
would be very hard the poor The consumer
would have to pay the increased cost he declared
He said It was unfair 90 the trade pat the duty
on tea, and not on coffee. When the duty was
levied IN the Spanish war, he said. all trade ran 10
the lower grades and would do again. But Mr.
De Cordova did not believe that the proposed duty
would stand Every importer he said. would aid
the National Coffee and Tea Association in oppos-
ing the duty
John WirtE. manager for Smith. Baker 4 Co
importers japanese teas. No. S. Wall street be
lieved that tho duty would stand unless there was
combined action against II. 1t unfair TO place
a duty on tea and not coffee. he said Both
articles were a necessity to-day and not luxury.
The producer would stand the increase IN cost;
there was not enough margin in the price from the
importer TO tho wholesale grocer 10 absorb the
duty. and. a result the retailer and consumer
would have TO bear the burden
IF tea is taxed cents pound Il will demoralize
the trade" James McGuane, OF the Salada Tea
COMPANY said last night THE proposition 10 take
tea off the free list came g great surprise 10
nearly every man in the trade. There was talk Of
taxing coffee, but there such great protest
that IL was let OF. II the cost Of tea is increased
the burden will fall the working people the
retail dealers and the small 5obbers.
There are big concerns which would Ike
TO see the tax" MI McCiuane continued. They
objected when the duty was removed. A tax
will mean the concentration OF the trade in the
hands of a few. Then the demand for cheaper
grades will follow. 1t is not possible 10 bring
sweepings into this country now because OF the
association and an agitation will be begun once
sentatives and the actual conditions governing the
business in this necessary OF life will be explained
20 them"