The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-30

lures of the bill which were adopted in
the senate were accepted by the con-
ferees. They include a new maximum
ana minimum feature. a corporation tax
law instead of the inheritance tax
adopted by the house, authorization for
a bond issue to raise money to build
the Panama canal, as well as numerous
other features.
The maximum and minimum provision
prescr1bes duties in accordance with
the rates named in the dutiable list
until March 81, 1910. when % per cent
ad ValoreDl is to be added automatically
as the maximum duty. The president is
authorized to apply the minimum rates,
however to imports from a country
which gives it's best rates to the prod
ucts of the United States and is made
the Judge as to whether a foreign cOun-
try accerds to the United States treat
ment which is reciprocal and equivalent.
When he finds that this condition ex-
lists he is to issue proclamation put
ting in effect the minimum rates, and
until the time of the proclamation the
maximum rates will apply.
The president is empowered to en-
ploy such persons as may be required
to secure information to assist in the
discharge of the duties imposed upon
him and information which will be use
full to the officers of the government in
the administration of the customs laws.
The reciprocity treaty with Cuba is not
affected by the maximum and minimum
provisions.
The president is empowered also to
abrogate these reciprocal treaties which
can be terminated by diplomatic ac-
ton
1t is made his duty to give ten days
notice after the bill becomes a law of
his intention to bring these treaties to
an end. All other treaties which con-
tain no stipulation in regard to their
termination by diplomatic action shall
be abrogated by notice of six months
from the president to those countries,
the notice dating from April 80, 1909 on
which date Secretary Knox notified
foreign governments that the United
States would soon ask them to enter
into new tariff relations.
Philippines Provision.
The Philippines free trade provision
which was considerably elaborated by
the senate. provides for the free i'm
portation of all articles 1.-The growth, or
product of, or manufactured in the
Philippine islands from material the
growth or product of the Philippine
islands or the United States, or both.
or which do not contain foreign ma
terials to the value of more than 30
per cent of their total value"
Rice is the only exception to the free
provisions, but restrictions are placed
upon sugar and tobacco. The free i'm
portation of sugar is limited to 100000
tons a year. On wrapper and filler to
bacco when mixed, the annual limita-
ton is 100000 pounds, on filler tobacco. |
million.
A proviso is included in the bill which
Ievies on all articles upon which any
foreign country pays a bounty or grant
upon its expectation, an additional
duty equal to the amount of such
bounty.
1t is required that all imported arti-
cles capable of being marked without
impairment to their value shall be
stamped with the name of the manu-
facturer and the country or origin.
A very elaborate provision for the ad-
ministration of the customs laws was
adopted by the conferees. 1t is the
same as that adopted by the senate. 1t
is intended to prevent differentiation
of articles on which there is no foreign
mark by which true values may be DIS
certained.
Provision is made for the establish
ment of a customs court of appeals,
with headquarters in Washington. Tt
'wiIj comprise a presiding judge and
four associate judges, at salaries OF
$4,000 a year. There are to be appoint
ed to conduct government cases before
this court a special assistant attorney
general at $4,000, a deputy assistant
attorney general at $500, and four at
torneys at $4,000 each.
informal Revenue