8 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [January, 



The Tariff on Microscopes and Accessories. 



By CHAS. W. smiley, 



WASHINGTON, D. C. 



The tariff law now in force was approved October i, 1S90, and 

 went into force six days later. It was entitled " An act to reduce 

 the revenue and equalize duties on imports." The way in 

 which it sought to reduce the revenue was by putting duties upon 

 many articles at so high a rate that no one would buy foreign 

 goocls. In this way many articles that had formerly furnished a 

 revenue would practically cease to do so. With a duty fixed at 

 50 or 60 per cent, ad valorem, revenue is impossible. 



The part of the law applicable to microscopes and accessories 

 reads as follows : " Manufactures, articles, or wares not specially 

 enumerated or provided for in this act, composed wholly or in 

 part of iron, steel, lead, copper, nickel, pewter, zinc, gold, silver, 

 platinum, aluminum, or any other metal, and whether partly or 

 wholly manufactured, forty-five (45) per cent, ad valorem." 



On lenses, however, there is a dut}' of 60 per cent, ad valorem. 

 On razor blades, which are of use to microscopists, there is a duty 

 of $1.75 per dozen, to which must be added another duty of 30 

 per cent, ad valorem — tivo duties on one article. 



Of course the above duties are high enough to practically pro- 

 hibit importations and to give the market to home manufacturers. 



But another thing must be remembered. Nearly all the raw 

 materials which our manufacturers use in making our instru- 

 ments are likewise covered by duties designed in the same way 

 to greatly enhance their value. Thus the duty on nickel is 10 

 cents per pound ; on brass, \\ cents per pound ; castings of mal- 

 eable iron, if cents per pound ; sheets of iron or steel, if polished, 

 2^ cents per pound ; bronze powder, 12 cents per pound; var- 

 nish, 35 per cent, ad valorem. Not only are the values of most 

 articles entering into the manufacture of microscopes and acces- 

 sories increased by tariff' laws, but our microscope manufacturers 

 have to pay for their machinery, for their coal, oils, chemicals, 

 etc., prices higher than they naturally would be. The protective 

 duties prevent them as well as us from buying in the cheapest 

 market, and the goods must sell at enough higher prices to cover 

 the diflerence. 



Having thus endeavored to state the law without prejudice and 

 without argument, it remains to set forth the sentiments of our 

 workers and microscopists regarding it. Among other questions, 

 we have asked this of them : " Are you in favor of or opposed to 

 the present tarift'on slides and instruments.''" 



From about 500 returns, all being by persons actually owning 

 instruments and engaged in microscopy, the facts have been com- 

 piled as follows : 



