Court Opinion

ID: 8769706
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-26 12:38:43.831866+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:02:07.894977
License: Public Domain

MARTIN, District Judge.
It is claimed by the importer that the merchandise in question is a species of lava, and it is contended that it is free^of duty under Tariff Act July 24, 1897, c. 11, Schedule M, par. 395, and Free List, pars. 602, 605, 606, 614, 30 Stat. 151 (U. S. Comp. St. 1901, p. 1626), or, if dutiable at all, it should be assessed under paragraph 183, at 20 per cent, ad valorem, or under paragraph 93, at $1 or $2 per ton, or under paragraph 98, at 10 cents per gross and 15 per centum ád valorem, or under section 6, at 20 per centum ad valorem.
The appraiser reports the merchandise in question as small pieces of soapstone, cut in regular sizes and used in the manufacture oí gas burners. They were assessed for duty under paragraph 97 of the tariff act. I find from the evidence, and upon examination of the exhibits, that these blocks are soapstone, and that they are cut, before being imported, into sizes for gas tips and burners.
The importer contends that these small blocks are cut into the sizes of the samples shown for the sole purpose of convenience in shipping. I do not so find the fact. I think it is apparent, from the evidence and an inspection of the exhibits, that the first process of the manufacture of the tips is (he cutting of the soapstone into blocks of the right sizes for being finished into gas tips, and that, therefore, the first process of manufacture was performed before they were imported, and must he treated as manufactured merchandise when imported. They were assessed for duty under paragraph 97. That paragraph reads as follows:
“Articles and wares composed wholly or in chief value of earthy or mineral substances, not specially provided for in this act, if not decorated in any manlier, Ihirty-iive per centum ad valorem; if decorated, forty-five per centum ad valorem.”
The blocks in'question are not enumerated under section, 97. It was contended in argument by the assistant district attorney that they may be assessed under that paragraph as a similitude. It is apparent that these blocks are not susceptible of decoration, and therefore cannot he classified as a similitude under paragraph 97. Being a manufactured article when imported, and no paragraph being pointed out *1014'under which they may be classified for duty, I hold that they should be assessed under section 6, as a manufactured article, at SO per cent, ad valorem.