The removal of books for public libraries from the free list will be distinctly a backward step, as the exemption as now existing has been the law for many years, and the result will be the imposition of a serious tax upon a class of institutions which have always been favored or supported by all enlightened governments. This board, therefore, respectfully protests against any diminution of the privileges the libraries now possess; and further expresses the opinion that all import duties on books and other printed matter should be entirely abolished. The directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia respectfully join in this protest, and direct that a copy of the same be sent to each member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the present House of Representatives and to each member of the House representing the State of Pennsylvania. EDW. S. BUCKLEY. CLEMENT BUCKLEY NEWBOLD. G. E. DE SCHWEINITZ. CHAS. E. DANA. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LOS ANGELES (CAL.) PUBLIC LIBRARY WANTS DUTY-FREE BOOKS. LOS ANGELES, CAL., January 1, 1909. COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: At a meeting of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Public Library on Wednesday, December 29, 1908, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the directors of the Los Angeles Public Library, which serves a population of 300,000 and circulates nearly three-quarters of a million volumes per year out of this building, besides the enormous study-use inside the building by all classes of students in art, architecture, and science, earnestly protest against the removal from the free list of the books now imported into the United States, particularly by libraries. The most important text books in many branches of art, architecture, and history are of necessity imported. Some of them are in foreign languages. some procurable only in foreign countries. A 25 per cent ad valorem tax on these books simply would mean that this city, which is the center of educa tion for nearly a million square miles, would be reduced in effective scholarship by that amount. In our judgment it would be a step backward toward barbarism to deprive our students of these privileges. We respectfully but urgently protest against any withdrawal of privilege now possessed by public libraries under the present tariff. Resolved, That a certified copy of these resolutions be sent to each member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the present House of Representatives and to each Member from the State of California. Attest: CHAS. F. LUMMIS, Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library. THE DETROIT (MICH.) PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION WANTS NO INCREASE IN BOOK DUTIES. Hon. JOHN DALZELL, M. C., DETROIT, January 2, 1909. Ways and Means Commitee, House of Representatives. DEAR SIR: I am instructed by the Detroit library commission to forward to you the inclosed memorandum of action unanimously taken at their most recent meeting. Yours, very truly, H. M. UTLEY, Librarian, Public Library of Detroit, Mich. The Detroit library commission respectfully protests against the efforts now being made to induce Congress to increase the duty at present levied on imported books and other printed matter and to remove from the free list all classes of books now included therein. To increase the duty on books would not tend to the encouragement of any industry, but would simply increase the profits of publishers at the expense of book buyers. Authors and publishers are now protected by copyright and no good reason appears for double protection. To withdraw from libraries and educational institutions the privilege of free importation of books would be distinctly a backward step. Many years ago Congress relieved libraries and educational institutions from import duties, on the theory that all efforts to promote the intelligence of the citizens should be encouraged and stimulated. Publishing conditions in Great Britian, as well as in this country, have already resulted in a recent considerable increase in the prices of books. The funds of public libraries, raised almost wholly by taxation, are necessarily limited, and many libraries find their purchasing resources badly handicapped by the increased cost of books. To add duties on all foreign publications would seriously cripple many of these, which even now find their facilities for public service much curtailed. The commission sees no good reason for changing the existing laws and earnestly hopes that the privileges which libraries now possess may be continued and extended. SIDNEY T. MILLER, President, HERBERT BOWEN, GEORGE OSIUS, RALPH PHELPS, Jr., Detroit Library Commission. HON. A. P. GARDNER, M. C., SUBMITS RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY TRUSTEES OF BOSTON ATHENÆUM FAVORING THE REMOVAL OF DUTY FROM BOOKS. Hon. SERENO E. PAYNE, WASHINGTON, January 5, 1909. Chairman Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives. MY DEAR SIR: I beg to inclose you herewith resolutions adopted by the trustees of the Boston Athenæum, favoring the removal of the duty on books and other printed matter. A. P. GARDNER. Very truly, yours, At a meeting of the trustees of the Boston Athenæum on Monday, December 21, 1908, the following resolutions were adopted: The trustees of the Boston Athenæum have learned with regret that an effort is being made to increase the duty now levied on books and other printed matter imported into the United States, and to remove from the free list all classes of books now included therein. We commend the statement of Dr. J. S. Billings that, "So far as it goes, the present duty is a tax on knowledge and education; an unwise tax in a republic, the existence of which must always depend on the intelligence of its citizens. "The removal of books for public libraries from the free list will be distinctly a backward step, as the exemption as now existing has been the law for many years, and the result will be the imposition of a serious tax upon a class of institutions which have always been favored or supported by all enlightened governments." The trustees of the Boston Athenæum, therefore, respectfully protest against any diminution of the privileges that libraries now possess; and further express the opinion that all import duties upon books and other printed matter should be entirely abolished. Resolved, That an attested copy of the foregoing minute be sent to each member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the present House of Representatives and to each Member of the House representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A true copy. Attest: ALBERT THORNDIKE, Secretary. UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, NEW YORK, APPEALS FOR DUTY FREE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL BOOKS. 700 PARK AVENUE, New York, January 6, 1909. CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I have the honor to send to you, inclosed herein, a preamble and resolution adopted by the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis at its annual meeting, held at Columbia University on December 30, 1908. Very truly, yours, JULIUS A. BEWER. Corresponding Secretary. At a meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis, held in New York City December 30, 1908, the following preamble and resolution were adopted: Whereas the present duty of 25 per cent ad valorem on books in the English language published abroad is, so far as scientific and technical works are concerned, of the nature of a tax on scholars without compensating advantages of protection to authors or publishers, or of appreciable increase of revenue, and is to that extent contrary to public policy, and especially to that policy of fostering learning and education which has always characterized the administration of our Government: Therefore be it Resolved, That the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis petition the Committee on Ways and Means of the National Congress to take steps for the repeal of the duty on books of a scientific and technical character in the English language, published abroad, putting these books on the same footing as books published in a foreign language. A true copy. WILLIAM H. COBB, Recording Secretary, Union Theological Seminary. THE MÓDERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ADOPTS RESOLUTIONS RELATIVE TO WORKS OF ART, BOOKS, AND SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS. Hon. SERENO PAYNE, 107 WALKER STREET, Cambridge, Mass., January 7, 1909. Chairman of House Committee on Ways and Means. DEAR SIR: At the annual meeting of the Modern Language Association of America, held at Princeton University, December 30, 1908, the following resolutions were (unanimously) adopted: Resolved, (1) That the Modern Language Association of America, representing the scholars and teachers of the modern languages and literatures in the schools and colleges of the United States, believing that the present tariff laws, with their import duties upon works of art, books printed in foreign countries, and scientific apparatus, impose an unjust burden upon scientific work in this country, and act as an obstacle to the advancement of learning and general culture, while accomplishing little as regards the end for which such laws are framed, respectfully petition the Congress of the United States, in the proposed revision of the tariff laws, to remove the existing duties upon works of art and their reproductions, including photographs, upon all books printed in foreign countries, and upon scientific instruments intended for the private use of investigators. (2) That the association instruct its secretary to communicate to Congress, at the proper time and through the proper channels, a copy of these resolutions. Respectfully yours, C. H. GRANDGENT, Secretary The Modern Language Association of America. PHOTOGELATIN PRINTS. [Paragraph 403.] THE ALBERTYPE CO., BROOKLYN, N. Y., PETITIONS FOR PROTECTION FOR AMERICAN PHOTOGELATIN INDUSTRY. Mr. Wм. K. PAYNE, BROOKLYN, N. Y., November 17, 1908. Clerk of the Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: The photogelatin-printing business has been established in the United States for a quarter of a century, but has remained diminutive in comparison with the extent it has now acquired in Europe, and especially in Germany. The printing by this process is slow and greatly subject to the influences of weather and temperature. The cost of labor therefore is larger proportionately than that of other printing methods. The wages paid to workmen in our branch are on the average: Rents and other business expenses show a similar proportion. Paper and cardboard of American manufacture cost two to three times the German prices for equal grades. A great contributor to the rise of the photogelatin printing in Germany of late years has been the growth of the illustrated post card. The production of the American view and art post card has almost been monopolized by German manufacturers, whose agents here pick up the views of every city, village, and crossroad, of every scene, of any advertising subject, and send it to Germany to have 500, 1,000, or more post cards made of a subject. Not that we could not make an equally good article, but the German manufacturer can produce the 1,000 plain gelatin post cards for 7 marks, or $1.80, while we can not produce the 1,000 under $5 or $6. The imported gelatin post card comes under the customs tariff schedule of printed matter and pays 25 per cent duty. We hand color many gelatin post cards of our own make, giving thereby employment to 3 artists and 15 girls. The importer also brings over many hand-colored post cards, omits the designation" hand colored," and is enabled thereby at some ports of entry to pass them as lithographs between eight one-thousandths and twenty one-thousandths of an inch in thickness at 5 cents per pound. The majority of colored post cards are lithographs or chromolitho, and pass at the same rate of duty of 5 cents per pound, equal to about 45 cents per 1,000 post cards. Here exists a flagrant discrimination against the American manufacturer. Compare f. i. the tariff schedule: Lithographic cigar |