242 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



prepared after the manner of French sardines, affording a palatable, 

 cheap, and wholesome food product, in great demand throughout the 

 United States and an article of export to Europe. 



(9) It is therefore at the opening of the season for canning fish when 

 the said treaty terminates. 



(10) A large and valuable amount of material is used in this indus- 

 try, which greatly benefits other business in and out of the State of 

 Maine. 



Now, if from any cause this well-established and generous business 

 should fail, it would be an irreparable loss to the undersigned and their 

 employees, to these towns and other sections of the country. 



While our Government has at no time derived a revenue from the 

 importation of these small herring, it has on the other hand profited 

 indirectly and largely by this industry from duties on tin plate and pig 

 tin, of which articles it is estimated the industry requires from $150,000 

 to $200,000 annually, with a steadily increasing demand. 



Under the tariff which will take effect on July 1 next, and which pro- 

 vides a duty of 50 cents for every 100 pounds of fresh fish imported 

 into the United States, except on fresh fish for immediate consumption, 

 it becomes a question whether these small herring, which but for this 

 exclusively local industry have no commercial value, shall be considered 

 dutiable, or whether, forming as they do the base and necessity of this 

 important and growing enterprise, an exception shall be made in its 

 favor and for its maintenance ; furthermore, as nothing will save these 

 very perishable fish for food purposes except prompt canning, we re- 

 spectfully beg to submit whether this may not be considered tantamount 

 to immediate consumption. 



In the event that a duty should be exacted on the fish in question it 

 would grievously cripple, if not utterly annihilate, the American sardine 

 industry, which even now is, and for a year past has been, suffering 

 from the general depression of business. Compared with the cheapness 

 of these fish, the specific duty of 50 cents per 100 pounds is exorbitant 

 to the last degree, being far in excess of the ordinary cost of the fish. 

 But a duty of 50 cents per 100 pounds imposed on the gross weight 

 means to the factories a duty of 0GJ cents on the net weight, for in 

 trimming the fish for use a loss in weight of not less than 33£ per cent 

 is experienced. 



The market value of American sardines having been established and 

 regulated by the cost of the fish, this charge would inevitably result in 

 driving American sardines from our own and foreign markets, in favor 

 of foreign industries, and would entail heavy losses to factory owners, 

 and inflict untold misery on a large number and worthy class of Amer- 

 ican citizens. 



Now, therefore, in consideration of the facts stated above and in view 

 of the immineut danger which threatens these communities, your pe- 

 titioners earnestly pray that you will instruct the collector of this port 



