New-York tribune., 1911-12-19
Scientific Tariff Revision.

The principle Of scientific revision OF the
tariff. Mr.. MacVeagh continues. should he
applied not only 10 duties. but to classif-
cation of articles and the language Of the
law SO that there may be no doubt as 10
the intent Of Congress He adds:
The old methods Of tariff legislation have
thrown upon the Treasury Department ana
the courts an immense interminaDle ana
perpetual amount of Interpretation OF q
law which ought 10 be so plain as scarcely
10 need any Interpretation at all And
when the scientific method and spirit OF
legislating on the tariff is reduced 10
practice, and this scientific practice IN
cludes all the features Of the tartn law
which affect its ready Interpretation, a
large and expensive element OF the daily
work of the Treasury Department and 81
the Board OF United States General Ap-
prsisers. and large amount OF Mugallon
in the courts. will be- automatically elm
mated. and with II will go many veXations
of the honest importers and vast mass
OF the undervaluauons and fraud or me
importers who are not honest. These in
STANCES OF the extreme desira biity or ne
cessity Of scientific tariff legislation, drawn
from the practical experience Of our Gus
toms work are. ! am aware. additional 10
the reasons which have been usually con-
sidered. But there can be no question that
the need Of rendering the administration
OF the customs business Of the country sim.
pie prompt and certain, with rdtonal
saving OF useless expenditure, is an addi-
tionai reason Of great weight for the en-
lightened method of tariff legislation 10
which the best sentiment OF the country
has been looking forward for more thdn a
quarter Of a century.
More Exemptions for Travellers.
Much personal annoyance to citizens re-
turning from abroad and much unrcmlner-
alive work on the part of customs officers
and employees would be saved il the ex-
acting and narrow provisions OF the tarifi
law with regard 10 the articles which may
be included in the small exemption from
duty upon articles TO the value of 500 al
lowed returning residents were changed.
Paragraph 100 OF the tariff act has been
construed Dy the courts as limiting the
articles which may he included within such
exemption 10 such as constitute "earln,
apparel toilet articles, articles Of personal
Adornmcnt and similar personal effects
which actually accompany the owner and
are necessary and appropriate for the wear
and use OF tho traveller, and not intended
for other persons.
The last clause OF Paragraph 100 could be
changed by striking out everything after
the word Treasury" and substituting x
therefor the following: "and provided fur
thcr, that articles for personal or house
hold use or for souvenirs. curios or gifts.
not intended for sale, not exceeding Sl0l
I'm value, acquired abroad by such resi-
dents Of the United States. shall be ad-
mitted FREQ OF duty upon their return"
Small as this matter may seem. II con-
Germs many thousands OF instances each
year and. though the revenue interests Of
the government involved are wholly unim
pOrtant, the administrative considers tionS
are of considerable moment. II would be
a great relief TO the Treasury Depsrtment
and 10 many Thousands Of travellers to
have this bothersome language changed.
Mr.. MscVeagh recommends tho appoint
ment Of a commission consisting Of repre-
Rentattves Of Congress- and tbn evecutiva
departments. TO evolve budget system for
tho government This is made necessary.
he asys by the widely scattered aud disin-