The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-10-03
LAST MAD DASH
MADE To | AND
FOREIGN GOODS
Ships Hasten Trip to
Beat Tariff Signature;
Duties Jump in Closing
Days by Millions.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2-Follow-
ing the passage by congress Of the
Fordney- MoCumber tariff law, steam
ship men, on behalf of importers, are
reported to have wirelessed Ships at
sea to bend every effort to reach port
before the president signed the meas
ure. Several ships were able to make
harbor before the bill was signed. 9th
ers were not SO fortunate and the
shipping concerns tried to obtain rul-
ings from the customs authorities that
would consider the ships within har-
Dor if they were within the l2-mile
bootleggers' limit.
In the last week of the Democratic
low tariff duty law more than SIS
100000 in customs duties were collect
ed at the port of New York alone,
while an average OF more than ST ,0O0,-
600 day was collected in customs du-
ties at that port from July | on. Dur
ing Saturday, Monday and Tuesday
before the bill became a law more than
| S., 100000 day was collected on i'm
ports. Sugar, tobacco and wool
! (probably carpet wooD were the chief
commodities withdrawn from customs,
while wooden, silk and cotton goods
made up the bulk of the manufactured
goods declared for duty at the last mo-
ment. A special trainoad of English
textiles, Irish laces and other merchan-
disc rushed aboard the Mauritania be-
fore she left England failed to arrive
in time to profit by the duties in the
Underwood Simmons law repealed by
the new tariff.
Jews Protest.
One firm of customs brokers in New
York, on behalf of the Jewish mcr-
chants and firms in this and other cit
les throughout the country engaged in
importing materials, requested a weeks
delay in the signing of the bill on ac-
count of the Jewish religious holidays
which began Friday, the observance
of which would preclude their atten-
ton before Monday (Sept. 25) to the
business of withdrawal and entry. VI
the bill is signed earlier it will subject
these merchants of Jewish faith to the
unnecessary hardship of paying the
new and higher duties on merchandise
contracted for and sold on the basis
of existing rates, read the petition
An organization called the National
Council of Importers and Traders re-
quested a similar delay so as to permit
the entry at present rates of duty of
goods contracted for abroad on the
basis of the present rates, which are en-
route to this country.
Time Enough.
It is more than suspected that these
actions were mere political flourishes
encouraged by few smal-bore Demo-
cratic politicians who will follow them
up by accusing the president and his
party of ruthlessness in restoring pro-
lection. No other valid reason is sug-
gested for such silly requests. For
nine years these importers have added
what they saved on Democratic duties
to their bank accounts. For nine years
they have enjoyed profits on their i'm
ports. in many recorded instances
ranging from $50 to 2300 per cent.
Since November 3, 1920, they have
been looking forward to the restora-
ton of protection, and for 20 months
the period from the time of the pas
sage of the bill through the House TO
, its passage by the senate-they have
had ample opportunity to stock up
under old rates, and the records Of i'm
a ports indicate that they did so.
1 The glut of the ports during the last
days of the old tariff shows that the
importers were taking gamblers
q chances to beat out the new law
, Where they did so there is no kick
coming from the government Where
4 they failed they should be true sports,
: men and not kick at failure, They
i, had their day and the prices they
charged show it was a field day lore.
. over, it is quite likely that as the Ole
il law neared its end they protected
themselves in their contracts. If they
didn't they were foolish.