New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-05
PAYNE TARIFF LAW
SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
Has Flourished and Grown
Strong Despite Kicks, Cuffs
and SANDER.
CELEBRATING BIRTHDAY
Ends First Year with Unequalled
Record of Achievement as
Revenue Producer and
Aid to Commerce.
IRON The Tribune Bureau

washington, Aug 81 he fdyhe tdi III
law will celebrate its first birthday to-
morrow. Its first year has been q siren
uous one. It has been kicked down
stairs by Democratic godparents, who
aisowned il; lost at several family gain
erinzs of its OWL people. and apologies
have been made for its appearance by
some relatives who ought to hold it near
end dear. And yet, despite cuffs, kicks
and misrepresentation, it has grown
stronger every day. Its first year OF life
will end with record Of achievement
rot equalled since customs ports were
first opened on Americas shores.
The Official figures now available con-
-radict in so striking manner most OF
the charges against the Payne law as 10
make them seem absurd. These figures,
conlriled by government experts wholly
without reference to political considera-
uans. tell the truth in a simple and d.
rect way and give the shorter and uglier
word" in no uncertain fashion to certain
eminent politicians who are denounclng
tie PAYNE law for its alleged exorbitant
duties and its failure to meet the needs
Of the people and the government
II appears from the statistics that
President Taft was entirely within the
facts in his two principal statements re-
spectinz the Payne law. On the day he
signed the bill the President said he be-
loved il TO be the result of sincere
effort on the part of the Republican party
20 make a downward revision. and six
weeks later at winona Mimi, he de-
Io1 To be ba
ever proposed by the Republican party.
1t will be ten days or two weeks before
the customs statistics for July are COM
viled For comparative purposes, how
ever q summary finished to-day by the
experts of the Bureau of Statistics tells
the story Of the first year Of the law. This
summary covers the eleven months ended
with July l. and is shown in the accom-
psnying table.
What the Law Has Accomplished.
The tale unfolded In these statistics is
SC remarkable as to confound the critics
and amaze the friends OF the law 1t
shows:
First-That the total value Of free i'm
ports in the eleven months Of the Payne
=
similar period under any other tariff law.
Second-That the total value Of duti-
able imports was greater than for an
sverag &c similar period Of any other tariff
law
Third-That the percentage Of free inn
ports was greater than for an average
similar period of any other tariff law,
the Mckinley law alone excepted, when
sugar was on the free list
Fourth-That the customs receipts
were greater than for an average similar
period Of any other tariff law
Fifth-That the average ad valorem on
dutiable articles was lower than for an
average similar period of any other tariff
law.
Sixth-That the average ad valorem
on all imports was lower than for an
average similar period of any other tariff
law
Il goes without saying that an increase
OF both dutiable and free importations
unequaled in American history, is not
indicative of extortiOnate duties. The
average rate Of the Payne law is at least
per cent higher than the average Of
the Dingley law" said Champ Clark, the
minority leader. in burst of righteous
rhetoric. A glance at the table shows
how FAR from the facts Mr.. Clark was.
The average ad valorems on ali imports
were practically / per cent lower than
under the Wilson tariff for revenue law,
framed by Mr.. Clark's party, and about
~ per cent lower than under the Ding
ley law
Customs Receipts S1,ooO.oo0 Day.