Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-03-26
Chief Provisions of the Tariff Bill
as IL Now Stands.

The bill proposes the establishment {
the maximum and minimum tariff system
This is the adoption of the system in fore
in Germany, France and other foreign coun
tries. 1t is designed to give the minimum
rates to those nations which give us tn
same tariff rates as they accord to al
other countries. The maximum rates will
apply to those nations which discriminate
against us or which grant tariff rates t
other nations not given to us. The differ
ence between the two sets of rates is &c
per cent. on the average. The President
ofthe United States is to enforce the maxi
mum rates, but the justice of their appli-
cation is left for the courts to test.
The bill is to 90 into effect the day after
! its enactment into law. The maximum
rates are not to be put into effect until go
days after and the President is authorized
to issue notices of the termination of the
various existing foreign trade agreements
within 10 days after the bill goes into effect.
In estimating the amount of revenue to
be raised under the bill for the support of
the Government, the fiscal year ended June
80, 1906. is taken as normal year.
To meet deficiency conditions in the
Treasury while the bill is getting into full
working order, provision is made for the
issuance of $40,00O0OO Panama bonds,
and Treasury certificates to the value of
$250,000,000 are authorized. Under ex-
listing law these Treasury certificates are
limited to one year.
Where articles have been transferred
from the free list to the dutiable list they
are in most cases luxuries. When duties
have been raised it has been principally
to increase revenues, although in some in
stances for protective purposes. some arti-
Giles having their duties increased because
of the belief that not sufficient protection
is afforded their manufacturers.
Reciprocal free trade with the Philip
pines is provided, except as to sugar. to-
bacco and cigars A limited amount of
these Philippine products may enter free,
but above the limit set full duties must be
paid.
Foreigners acquiring patents in this coun-
try are required to comply with all condi-
tons in this country which are exacted of
people of this country who get patents in
other lands This is aimed at the foreign
requirements that articles protected by
those countries. 1t is expected to cause
foreigners to build large factories here.
Cuban reciprocity is preserved by pro-
vision in the law. All foreign trade agree
ments are to be annulled, and the maxi
mum and minimum system will take their
places. Abrogation of these treaties will
not be sudden, but in accordance with
their terms.
The committee estimates that the bill
will produce $300,000.000 revenue an
nually.
An inheritance tax is provided and is
expected to yield $40. 100000 annually
Coal, iron ore. hides and art 90 on the
free list
Lumber and timber duties are cut in
half. Duties on manufactured leather and
the greater part of the chemical schedule
are reduced. the reduction on shoes being
40 per cent.
Duties on steel and iron manufactures
are also reduced, including steel rails and
tinplate.
Coffee is on the free list, with a provis-
ion to prevent Brazil imposing an import
tax
There is no change affecting beer or
whisky, but a tax of cents pound is
imposed on tea imported direct. or 8 cents
when imported through another country,
this latter provision being aimed at the
Canadian tea trade.
The internal revenue tax on cigarettes is
increased from 81 and So to 81. so and 81 80
per thousand. The duty is the same on
raw sugar, to protect the beet sugar indus
try but on refined sugar it has been re-
duced five one-hundredths of cent per
pound. The duty on lemons is from cent
to Id cents pound. but peanuts remain
the same, although Southern growers want
ed the duty on peanuts raised.
The bill contains 234 printed pages,
$4,000 words and 43 sections.