The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-05-06
ZINC TARIFF IS
LIKELY To CD
Injustice of Present Tariff Is
Pointed Out by the Mining
Journals.
Is DOUBLE PENALTY
ON IMPORTED ORES
Better SmeIter Business and
No Damage Likely Should
Law Be Changed.

The Engineering and Mining Journal
calls attention to case that has just
been decided by tho United States court
of customs appeals In which IL was held
that according 10 the Payne -Aldrich
tariff act the zinc content OF imported
lead ore II over 10 per cent was dutiable
Tho Engineering Journal asserts that a
tariff on zinc ores is no use to anyone.
and II doubts if tho former advocates for
a zinc tariff would now maintain their
position.
very interesting discussion of this
subject is contained In Mining Science OF
Denver of which the following Is part :
In adopting the schedule dealing with
zinc ore under the Payne -Aldr1ch tariff
law, congress appears not 10 have re-
ceived any suggestion bearing upon the
possible injustice or Inconvenience OF the
tax upon the unrecoverahle contents of
the ore. Not only does the presence OF
zinc in a lead or copper ore, when occur
ing In less Quantities than, say 20 per
cent add nothing 10 the value of the ore.
but it is a positive detriment In smelling,
as is well known. Accordingly. duty
upon the zinc content OF ore, when 1t
passes off in the fIues or goes into the
Stag, is a tax upon something OF no value,
while in addition 10 this the producer Is
confronted with the penalty which smelt-
ers Impose upon the zinc as mere
nuisance
How the Tariff Hurts,
Along the Mexican border. where the
effect of the tariff upon imported ores
carrying small amounts OF useless zinc
is directly perceived. complaint may he
heard against the adoption OF tariff
which failed TO provide for this contin-
sency. Gold copper ores. bearing some
lead and zinc. which arc brought from
Mexico TO the smcltcrs Of tie United
States, suffer not only from the smclter
duty which the law imposes upon the
zinc content regardless OF It's detrimental
nature. Ore producers generally under
stand the significance of the zinc prob
lem, which arises from the circumstance
that the metal increases the viscosity OF
the Stag and otherwise produces losses
in the smelling process. The producer
who puts detrimental amounts OF zinc
into the lead or copper furnace must pay
the cost. but when lie pays in addition a
government tax for the privilege of be-
Ing pcneli3ed. the situation Is disagree
able II not comic
The primary object Of the zinc ore
tariff was protection TO the producers of
rhc United States. especially those of the
Joplin belt. There Is no protection TO our
citizens In taxing that which Is not only
Itself waste, but the cause Of loss
on the contrary. II keeps ore out of the
United States what might and ought TO
como 10 the smeltcrs OF this country
Considered mere source OF govern
mont revenue, The duty is an obvious In
Justice.
Expensive to Avoid
This is the situation as specifically
rsvea led. importers OF ores containing
zinc have been able 10 command q re-
bate for the waste product by appealing
10 the board OF appraisers OF the treas
ury department. but In every case certain
tedious formalities. accompan MED by
documentary proofs. are necessary to Sc
cure redress. The filing OF protests calls
Tor the services of an attorney. while in
the meantime, the duty on the zinc is
tied up. Even in the case OF a large inn
porter. capital is required 10 finance the
payments 10 the custom house and tho
whole legal proceeding. For the small
importer the duty on worthless zinc is
apt to prohibit Importation.
An ore containing 10 per cent useless
zinc pays duty Of | cent per pound or
81 ton. In addition 10 this, a Is per
cent ore is penalizeG by the smelters at
the rate OF 30 cents a unit above 10 per
cent. or $3.50 ton