Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1892 — SOME SAMPLE DUTIES. [ARTICLE]

SOME SAMPLE DUTIES.

THE TARIFF ROBBERY ON WOOLEN GOODS. The Structural Iron and Steel Trust at an End—Congressman Scott Says that the Sugar Bounty Is Oppressive—A Wrapping Paper Trust. The Old and New Duties. Now that the Bureau of Statistics has Issued its annual report on imported merchandise entered and withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption in 1891, we have the data required to determine how high a rate we are paying on imported merchandise. The McKinley tariff raised duties on wool and woolen goods so high that for a long time they were thought to be prohibitive. But it was soon found that, notwithstanding the high duties, woolen goods continued to be imported, though in diminished quantities. In 1890 we imported $54,165,423 and in 1891 $43,235,410 of manufactures of wool. Of the imports in 1891, $23,543,619 were entered under the duties imposed by the tariff of 1883, and $19,691,795 under the McKinley tariff. Allowing for the abnormally largo imports from July 1 to Oct. 4, for the purpose of anticipating the higher duties, the imports under the new tariff are but little less than before it became a law. In short, the duties imposed by the McKinley tariff are not high enough to accomplish the end intended, namely, prohibition. The McKinley tariff made such radical changes in the classifications of woolen goods that it has been impossible hitherto to determine how high the duties imposed by it are. The following table is a comparison of the old and new duties on the various classes of wools and woolen goods: 1810. IS 91. Wools— Ftrc’t. Perct. Clothing 45,1(1 50.38 Combing 4101 50.15 Carpet 144.43 12.00 Carpet 30 4J 50.00 Wooltns— Yarns 08.83 97.10 Blankets 71.11 81.74 Bunting 00.00 43.33 Carpets 41.94 60.49 i loths 75.17 1*2.48 Dress goods 79.74 1*7.57 Endless belts 62.13 97.80 Flannels 08 05 92.89 Plushes 118.84 Cloaks 59 40 85.85 Hatß 67.02 70.68 Knit fabrics...... 04 31 76.08 Bbavrls 65.39 79.50 Clothing- 53.1-5 82.78 Webbings, etc 06.99 93.05 All other manufactures 68 87 87.92 Total manufactures of wool 69.12 92.24 Under the tariff of 1883 worsted cloths were not separated from all other wool manufactures, and the item of “cloths" in the above table represents woolen cloths only for 1890. Under the McKinley / tariff woolen and worsted cloths bear the same rates. Similarly plushes wero not separately enumerated In 1890. On bunting, as shown above, the ad valorem rate is loss now than in 1890. The duties are, however, higher now than before, but since they are practically prohibitive this fact is of little importance. The McKinley tariff increased the duties on all goods an uverage of 33 per cent., and the average on all classes is 92.27 per cent. This is the tariff which Mr. Whitman’s so-called National Association demands Bhall be left as it is. Tluse who desire to see these high rates cut down are trying to got something at the “expense of other people.” Doubtless he meant at the expense of such concerns as that of which he is president, which earned a profit of 50 per cent, in 1891. In spite of tho fact that the duties have been advanced 33 per cent, and importations have fallen off but little, there are those who claim that the price of woolen goods has not advanced. Either prices have advanced or, what is the same in effect, the quality of tho goods has been lowered by tho larger use of shoddy and cotton. No other explanation is possible. In spite of the fact that the duties average 92.24 per cent, of the value of the goods imported, there are those who claim that the foreign manufacturer continues to pay the tariff tax. The mere mention of the average rate of duty is sufficient to refute this absurd claim. It is about time that tho people who use woolen goods, and thex - e are some that cannot afford such a luxury, should have something to say about the taxes which the tariff compels them to pay to enable manufacturers to make profits of 50 per cent.