satin white, or Tariff act of 1913.-Paragraph 51.-"* * artificial sulphate of lime, 20 per centum ad valorem." Paragraph 74.-‹‹* * pearl hardening for paper makers' use; * * * 10 per centum ad valorem." Satin white is a gelatinous aluminum hydroxide mixed with calcium sulphate and contains some free lime. It is made by precipitating a fairly strong aluminum sulphate solution with an excess of lime. It is used chiefly in coating or glazing paper. Pearl hardening is the trade name used to designate an artificial crystallized calcium sulphate containing water of hydration. It is produced by adding sulphuric acid to a solution of calcium chloride, the calcium sulphate formed crystallizes from the solution with two molecules of water. This product is sold under the trade name given above for use as a filler in the manufacture of paper. Precipitated calcium sulphate is calcium sulphate obtained by precipitation from a solution of calcium chloride by means of Glauber salts (sodium sulphate). It is obtained as a by-product of many chemical processes and may be obtained in large quantities at a fairly low price. The commercial product is usually dry and does not contain any water of hydration as does pearl hardening. In addition to being used in the manufacture of paper, it is used also as an inert pigment or filler in the manufacture of paints and for other purposes. Satin white and artificial sulphate of lime are used synonymously in paragraph 51. While as a matter of fact they are distinct articles of commerce, artificial sulphate of lime is used for the same purpose as satin white. Precipitated calcium sulphate is also used as land plaster, as a corrective for certain soils which are lacking in calcium. DOMESTIC PRODUCTION. Figures for the domestic production of these commodities are not available. It is believed, however, that the domestic production is sufficient to meet all domestic requirements. The imports are comparatively small. Calcium sulphate, which is also the basis of pearl hardening, may be obtained, as a by-product of many chemical processes, in the United States at a relatively low cost. Aluminum and lime, the necessary materials for the manufacture of satin white, are available in this country in large quantities. IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES. Imports of "satin white or artificial sulphate of lime" are combined with those of blanc fixe, or artificial barium sulphate. Pickrell ' shows that in 1914 the imports of calcium sulphate, pure precipitated, amounted to 75,473 pounds, valued at $880, all of which came from Germany. Imports of pearl hardening have been small; the maximum prewar import was valued at $9,680 in 1911. Since then they have shown a gradual decline to as low as $30 in 1918. PRICES. Domestic prices are not available in trade journals on these commodities. TARIFF HISTORY AND CONSIDERATIONS. A provision for "satin white, or artificial sulphate of lime," has appeared on the dutiable list of all tariff acts from 1894 to 1913, inclusive. The duty was 25 per cent ad valorem in the act of 1894, cent per pound in the acts of 1897 and 1909, and 20 per cent ad valorem in the act of 1913. In the act of 1897 a provision for "pearl hardening for paper makers' use" was inserted and has appeared in all subsequent tariff acts. The duty on this commodity was 20 per cent ad valorem in the acts of 1897 and 1909, and was reduced to 10 per cent ad valorem in the act of 1913. In a decision (T. D. 17505) under the act of 1894, pearl hardening was declared dutiable as artificial sulphate of lime. In another decision (T. D. 19581) under the act of 1897 artificial sulphate of lime, which was imported and invoiced as pearl hardening, was assessed for duty as artificial sulphate of lime under paragraph 46, but under protest by the importer was declared dutiable as pearl hardening for paper makers' use under paragraph 91. As all of these commodities-satin white, pearl hardening, and artificial calcium sulphate-are somewhat similar in composition and are used for the same purpose, they might well be included in one paragraph. As previously pointed out, satin white and artificial sulphate of lime are used synonymously in paragraph 51; the conjunction "or" should be changed to "and". Precipitated calcium sulphate is a better description than artificial sulphate of lime. "Pearl hardening for paper makers' use" is artificial calcium sulphate, although natural calcium sulphate (Gypsum) may be used for this purpose, but the artificial is preferred. Pearl hardening, the artificial product, is provided for under paragraph 51 by the words "artificial sulphate of lime." If it should be the natural product, it is provided for by the provision for "plaster rock or gypsum" which precedes it in paragraph 74. It would be well to include pearl hardening in the description of precipitated calcium sulphate. Satin white, precipitated calcium sulphate, and pearl hardening are not related to the other products of paragraph 51 and might well be included in a separate paragraph as follows: Satin white and precipitated calcium sulphate including pearl hardening (rate)." 1 Pickrell, Dr. E. R. "Chemical and Allied Substances in the United States," Department of Commerce, Miscellaneous Series No. 82. |