Semi-weekly herald., 1915-07-12

on the horizon of the fiscal year
1915, and issued the appropriate in
structions to govern the committesI
in making classifications which arel
now causing so much dissatisfactionI
to the beneficiaries Of low tariff
rates.
And finally they argue that no such
methods were found necessary in Re-
publican times, despite the fact that
corollary of the protective policy
would be the fixing of the highest
protective rate legally assessable and,
therefore, if the contention Of the sec
retary of the treasury could be accept
ed, in respect to the difficulty
caused by different classifications
made at different ports, which gave
an excuse for a tariff rewriting"
committee, it was but an argument to
show the incompetence Of Democrat
ic appointes to customs collector
ships and their inability correctly to
interpret the Underwood law.
Altogether the importers are con-
siderably disgruntled at the high
handed manner in which the classifi-
cation committee is carrying out its
policy of revision upward.
Whatever elements Of truth the
statements of the importers may pos
sess, the fact remains that the chang
es in rates which have been made by
the committee will certainly show
large increases, in tho majoriy Of
cases over the rates apparent in the
Underwood law. Mr.. Wolf member
of the committee, naively remarks,
"the accuracy Of the committees
work may be gagged by the fact that
the treasury department has SO far
adopted our recommendations with
only one exception" He doesn't state
whether that one exception called for
a higher rate or lower rate.
Certain meat products, sausagss,
etc, formerly free as prepared meat"
are now assessed duty at 15 per
cent as articles not enumerated; !;
parts" of articles, formerly at lower
rates are now assessed at go per
cent ad valorem, ETC., etc. And it
is announced that other changes in
classification imposing higher rates
will be announced shortly. Recently
the committees declared its intention
of considering the valuation of i'm
ported phonograph records, the fee
paid to foreign orchestra or singer
rendering the selection recorded. Fees
of this kind are as high as So 900
and royalties No information is
forthcoming as to whether this music
is considered a manufactured article
or raw material. Those who follow
the tariff reports issued by the de-
partment Of commerce monthly, say
that one effect of those arbitrary
reclassifications will be to throw the
statistical matter all out of alignment
so that no comparisons Of imports
of particular articles can be made
with importations of former periods.
A few wonder if this revision upward
is going to be general, and if Re
publican protective doctrine has at
length appealed to Mr.. McAdoo. The
customs officials point out that where
the importers are dissatisfied with
any change in the rates they have
their remedy in an appeal to the board
Of general appraisers. OF course,
duties, even where paid under protest
would reamin to the credit Of the
government under the head of customs
customs receipts until decision had
been made by the board calling for
their refunding. which would take q
long time after June 80, 1915, the
date on which the treasury depart
ment desires to make the smallest
possible showing of a deficit.