INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
800
Yol. 22, No. 7
Chemicals in the New Tariff Law’ O t t o Wilson NATIONAI. PRESSCLUB,WASHINGTON, D . C.
vv
’HEN President Hoover advised Congress to make certain changes in the tariff law, he suggested that they should be limited to such revisions as would aid agriculture and such others in aid of industry as changing circumstances had made desirable. Whatever may be said of the rest of the tariff act, the chemical schedule shows a close adherence to that program. I n nearly all cases where a change in rates, either upward or downward, would presumably benefit the farmer, it was made. Other changes, while numerous, were not excessive and for the most part represented a desire on the part of Congress to afford actually needed protection. I n revising the chemical rates Congress took due account of the remarkable growth of the industry as a whole, and particularly of specified branches, in the years since the previous tariff law was enacted. Quoting the report of the Ways and Means Committee: The chemical industry has undergone striking developments during the seven years in which the present tariff act has been in operation. New processes have reduced costs and rendered old methods obsolete. Many new products have been developed. The ability of America to apply research to the solution of manufacturing problems and the development of new products has been most gratifying, and gives us every reason to believe that we are on the threshold of even greater and more far-reaching achievements in the course of the next few years.
More than with any other schedule, the thorough-going research of the Tariff Commission has aided in shaping up Schedule I, dealing with “Chemicals, Oils, and Paints.” The mass of information it accumulated was invaluable. Without those facts and figures the committees handling the bill would simply have been groping in the dark, and anything like an intelligent consideration of the needs of the industry would have been impossible. The commission’s helpfulness was in evidence, not only in the immediate rate revision, but in the studies it has made leading up to changes by presidential proclamation, practically all of which Congress confirmed by adopting the rates which the President had set. The language and classifications in the schedule, based on the careful work of the commission prior to the passage of the 1922 act, greatly simplified the work of revision. There was, however, considerable redrafting of many paragraphs. The number of dutiable items and the changes in rates of duty in Schedule I of the act of 1922 and the act of 1930 are shown in the following table: Schedule I No.
CHANGES IN RATES DUTYIN ACT OF TR.4NS- TRAX5FERS 1930 COMPARED FERS TO FROM WITH ACT OF 1922 FREE FREE LISTO NO InDe- LISTb Act of 193On change creases creases
ITEMS BASKET CLAUSES I N DUTIABLE LIST OF
AND
Act of 1922
Iternsnaked Basket clauses! TOTAL a
b c
497
502
38 -
54
535
556
OB
I
422
-47 469
44 3
-
14
47
Transfers t o free list not included in totals hereunder. Included in number of decreases. Included in number of increases.
For the most part the new rates represent moderate increases, but they leave the average ad valorem rate for the chemical schedule, excluding items related to agriculture, con1 Received
May 29, 1933.
siderably below that of the whole tariff act. The Senate lowered a considerable number of the increases passed by the House, and the conference report and the measure as finally passed were nearer the Senate bill than the House bill. According to a statement prepared in the Tariff Commission, based on 1928 imports, and published in the Congressional Record, the actual or computed ad valorem rate for the whole chemical schedule in the act of 1922 was 29.22 per cent. The House revision brought it up to 31.82 per cent and the Senate revision to 30.95 per cent. As finally passed, the rate was 31.40 per cent. This compares with about 40 per cent for the whole tariff bill, exclusive of the free list. Detailed changes in each of the ninety-seven paragraphs of the new act as compared with that of 1922 are shown herewith: Paragraph 1. Acids and acid anhydrides. On acetic acid containing by weight not more than 65 per cent of acetic acid the rate was raised from ”4 cent to l 3 / * cents per pound. On that containing more than 65 per cent the old rate of 2 cents was retained. On acetic anhydride the rate was lowered from 5 cents to 3’/z cents per pound and on boric acid from 11/2 cents to 1 cent. Formic acid was taken from the basket clause, which calls for a 25 per cent ad valorem duty, and given a rate of 3 cents per pound. On tannic acid, tannin, and extracts of nutgalls, containing by weight of tannic acid less than 50 per cent, the rate was changed from 4 cents per pound to 5 cents; 50 per cent or more and not medicinal, from 10 cents per pound to 11 cents; 50 per cent or more and medicinal, from 20 cents to 18 cents. Tartaric acid received an increase from 6 cents to 8 cents per pound, gallic acid was lowered from 8 cents to 6 cents, and oleic acid orred oil was changed from I’/z cents per pound to 20 per cent ad valorem. Oxalic acid was raised from 4 to 6 cents per pound, confirming a change already made effective January 28, 1925, by the President. The old rate of 1 1 / 2 cents on stearic acid was abolished and that commodity was relegated to the “all other” or basket clause, calling for 25 per cent ad valorem. On carbon dioxide (not mentioned in the former law), weighing with immediate containers and carton, one pound or less per carton, a rate of 1 cent per pound on contents, immediate containers, and carton was adopted. The growing importance of nitric acid in agriculture and industry was recognized by retaining it on the free list. Chromic acid, on the other hand, was stricken from the free list and takes its place among the “all other” acids, a t 25 per cent. In making the change the House Ways and Means Committee report cites the greatly increased use of chromium plating instead of nickel plating for automobiles and plumbing fixtures and the decrease in prices because of severe competition, partly from imported goods, in the chromic acid market. The change in classification of formic acid is an increase adopted because of the greater use of the product as a substitute for acetic acid, and the resumption of domestic manufacture in 1928 after a five-year lapse. The new rate of 3 cents compares with a rate which, under the ad valorem provisions of the old law, the Tariff Commission found to work out a t 1.91 cents in nine months of 1928. The Senate transferred arsenious acid and arsenic salts containing 10 per cent or more of arsenic from the free list to the dutiable, a t 2 cents per pound, but the conference restored i t to the free list. Paragraph 2 . Derivatives of hydrocarbon gases. These chemicals, consisting of derivatives from constituents of natural gas such as acetaldehyde, aldehyde ammonia, etc., retain the same rate in the.new law as in the act of 1922, 6 cents per pound and 30 per cent ad valorem, but their number is considerably increased by the addition of new items. Explaining these additions the Ways and Means Committee of the House reports that the rates levied in 1922 have built up this infant industry so that it is “comparable in promise of future value to the development of the coal-tar series of chemicals in Germany.” A phe-
July, 1930
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
nomenal increase in domestic production of some of these derivatives, notably ethylene glycol, used in the manufacture of dynamite and as an antifreeze solution in automobile radiators, has been accompanied by price declines, but no raise in rates was considered necessary. The act of 1922 covered acetaldehyde, aldol or acetaldol, aldehyde ammonia, butyraldehyde, crotonaldehyde, paracetaldehyde, ethylene chlorohydrin, ethylene dichloride, ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, glycol monoacetate, propylene chlorohydrin, propylene dichloride, and propylene glycol. All these are retained except the commercially unimportant glycol monoacetate, and in addition the following products are given a like rate: “Butylene chlorohydrin, butylene dichloride, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, butylene glycol, and all other glycols or dihydric alcohols, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylene diamine, and all other hydroxy alkyl amines and alkylene diamines, allyl alcohol, crotonyl alcohol, vinyl alcohol, and all other olefin or unsaturated alcohols, homologs, and polymers of all the foregoing, ethers, esters, salts, and nitrogenous compounds of any of the foregoing, whether polymerized or unpolymerized and mixtures in chief value of any one or more of the foregoing.” Paragraph 3. Acetone and derivatives. The wording of this paragraph was changed slightly to include the homologs of acetone and ethyl methyl ketone, and the duty was cut from 25 per cent to 20 per cent ad valorem. The paragraph now covers acetone and ethyl methyl ketone and their homologs, and acetone oil. Paragraph 4 . Alcohol. Hexyl alcohol was added to amyl, butyl, and propyl alcohols and fusel oil, taking the same rate as in the former schedule, 6 cents per pound. I n order to avoid doubt as to whether all types of alcohols were included in the paragraph, the phrase “all the foregoing, whether primary, secondary, or tertiary” was inserted following the names of the alcohols. Provision was also made for making the duty apply to “mixtures in chief value of any one or more” of t.he alcohols mentioned and of fusel oil. On methanol the rate was raised from 12 cents to 18 cents per gallon, confirming the action of the President in making the higher duty effective December 27, 1926, as a safeguard against competition from the German synthetic product. In the House report on the tariff bill it is stated that American plant capacity is now more than adequate to take care of present demands. Paragraph 5 . Basket clause. This covers combinations of chemicals, medicinal preparations, chemical elements, etc., not specifically named, and is unchanged from the previous act, the rate remaining a t 25 per cent ad valorem. Paragraph 6 . A l u m i n u m salts and compounds. The only change was a reduction of the former rate of 3/10 cent to ’/¢ on “aluminum sulfate, alum cake or aluminous cake, containing not more than 15 per cent of alumina and more iron than the equivalent of one-tenth of one per cent of ferric oxide.” Paragraph 7. Compounds of ammonia. The only change in rate was the raising of the duty on ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate from l’/? cents to 2 cents per pound. In deference to the request of the agricultural interests, however, the duty of ‘/4 cent on ammonium sulfate was removed entirely. Paragraph 8. Antimony compounds. No change. Paragraph 9. Argols, tartar, and wine lees. The qualification “crude or partly refined” in the former act was stricken out, and the duty was made to apply on these articles only when they contained 90 per cent or more of potassium bitartrate. The 5 per cent ad valorem duty on crude calcium tartrate was also removed. The paragraph in the new law reads: “Argols, tartar, and wine lees, containing 90 per centum or more of potassium bitartrate, 5 cents per pound; cream of tartar, 5 cents per pound; Rochelle salts or potassium-sodium tartrate, 5 cents per pound.” Paragraph 10. Balsams. No change. Paragraph 11, Certain gums. On unmanufactured amber and amberoid gums, not specially provided for, the rate was cut from $1 to 50 cents per pound, and a rate of 4 cents per pound and 30 per cent ad valorem was laid on “synthetic gums and resins not specially provided for.” Gum arabic or senega1 retains the former rate of ‘/2 cent per pound. The House proposed a duty of 20 per cent on bleached shellac, but this was stricken out in the Senate. Paragraph 12. Barium compounds. On barium carbonate, precipitated, the duty was raised from 1 cent to cents per pound, perpetuating the proclamation rate; on barium chloride from l l / a to 2 cents; on barium dioxide, from 4 to 6 cents. According to the proclamation rate, the former rate of 1 cents on barium hydroxide and that of 2 cents on barium nitrate are left unchanged, while barium oxide, not mentioned in the former act was given a duty of 2l/2 cents per pound. Paragraph 13. Blackings, powders, liquids, and creams for cleaning or polishing. This paragraph was unchanged, the rate remaining a t 25 per cent ad valorem.
801
Paragraph 14. Bleaching powder or chlorinated lime. No change from the former rate of cent per pound. Paragraph 15. Caffeine, cafeine compounds, theobromine. Oncaffeine the rate was lowered from $1.50 to $1.25 per pound and on caffeine citrate, not specifically mentioned before, a rate of 75 cents per pound was laid. Other caffeine compounds retain the 25 per cent ad valorem rate. Theobromine, not mentioned before, takes a rate of 75 cents per pound. The former duty of 1 cent per pound on impure tea, tea waste, tea siftings and sweepings, imported in bond for manufacturing purposes, was abolished. Paragraph 16. Calcium compounds. Calcium carbide, formerly the only item in this paragraph, retains the old duty of 1 cent. Additions to the paragraph are crude calcium acetate, 1 cent, and calcium oxalate, 4 cents. Paragraph 17. Calomel, corrosive sublimate, and other mercurial preparations. On these articles the rate was changed from 45 per cent ad valorem to 22 cents per pound and 25 per cent ad valorem. Paragraph 18. Carbon tetrachloride, 1 cent per pound; chloroform, 4 cents per pound; tetrachloroethane and trichloroethane, 30 per cent ad valorem. These new rates represent reductions from 2‘/2 cents, 6 cents, and 35 per cent, respectively. Paragraph 19. In the former act the single item in this paragraph read: “ 9 s e i n or lactarene, 2 l / 2 cents per pound.” The new act reads: Casein or lactarene and mixtures of which casein or lactarene is the component material of chief value, not specially provided for, 5l/2 cents per pound.” The increase represents the result of a clash of interests between the American dairy industry, producing great quantities of skimmed milk which is now largely wasted, and manufacturers of coated paper, casein glue, cold-water paints, and spray insecticides. All these products involve the use of casein, the paper makers taking about three-fourths of the supply. More than half the total used comes from abroad and is of superior quality. The dairy interests asked a duty of 8 cents and the manufacturers asked that casein be restored to the free list The House bill left the rate a t the same figure as in the 1922 bill, 2l/2 cents, but the Senate raised it to 5’/2 cents, and that rate prevailed. Paragraph 20. Chalk or whiting or Paris white. These articles under the act of 1922 carried a duty of 25 per cent, described as “dry, ground, bolted, or precipitated.” Manufacturers pointed out in the tariff hearings that precipitated chalk was made differently, had different uses, and brought higher prices than whiting and Paris white and should receive different tariff treatment. The rate was accordingly changed to 4/11 cent for dry, ground, or bolted products while precipitated products were left a t 25 per cent. Other articles such as putty and billiard chalk in this paragraph were left a t the 25 per cent rate. Paragraph 21. Gold, platinum, rhodium, and silver chemical compounds, in which any of these metals constitutes the element of chief value, were left a t the former rate of 25 per cent ad valorem. Paragraph 22. There was no change in this paragraph, which reads: “Chemical compounds, salts, and mixtures of bismuth, 35 per centum ad valorem.’’ Paragraph 23. A basket clause which provides that chemicals, drugs, medicinals, etc., whether dutiable or free, shall pay a rate of not less than 25 per cent when imported in capsules, pills, tablets, lozenges, troches, ampoules, jubes, or similar forms. There was no change from the 1922 act. Paragraph 24. A basket clause providing varying rates of duty on compounds, preparations, oils and greases, flavoring and other extracts, fruit flavors, etc., containing or put up in alcohol. There was no change from the 1922 text. Paragraph 25. Chicle. The former rate of 10 cents per pound on crude chicle was eliminated, and the duty on chicle refined or advanced in value by drying, straining, etc., was reduced from 15 cents to 5 cents per pound. Paragraph 26. Chloral hydrate, terpin hydrate, thymol, and glycerophosphoric acid, and salts and compounds of glycerophosphoric acid retain the same rate, 35 per cent ad valorem, as in the 1922 act. That act, however, also included urea, a highgrade and expensive fertilizer, also used in synthetic organic chemicals. Under the present act urea is placed on the free list. To the above-named items in this paragraph there are also added in the present law diethylbarbituric acid and salts and compounds, $2 50 per pound, and ethyl hydrocupreine and salts and compounds, 20 cents per omce. Paragraphs 27 and 28. Coal-tar products. Few changes were made in these paragraphs. In its report to the House the Ways and Means Committee calls attention to the rapid growth of the coal-tar chemical industry since the war, under the protection of the tariff act of 1922. It now represents an investment of about $100,000,000, and employs 10,000 men. Although re-
802
INDUSTRIAL , 4 5 0 ENGI,VEERlSG CHEMISTRY
lieved from destructive competition from abroad, the domestic manufacturers have developed sharp competition among themselves, and the foreign-owned plants are an important factor in domestic trade. The 1922 act levied duties of 55 and 60 per cent on coal-tar products but provided that for two years the rates should be 40 and 45 per cent in paragraphs 27 and 28, respectively. When the present tariff revision was undertaken, manufacturers requested a return to these higher rates, but Congress thought such action unnecessary. The rate accordingly remains 40 per cent and 7 cents per pound for intermediates, listed in paragraph 27, and 45 per cent and 7 cents per pound for the finished products of paragraph 28. For both classes the American selling price or the United States value, as defined in a later section, is continued as the basis for computing these duties. A change which may take on future importance is the elimination of the provision of the 1922 act prohibiting an increase of duties on coal-tar products through the operation of the “flexible” clause by the President. On both intermediates and finished products duties can now be raised or lowered as with other articles of the act. Few changes were made in the detailed list of coal-tar Droducts mentioned ih the two paragraphs, or in the rates applying to them. Among the intermediates cresylic acid, phenol, metacresol, orthocresol, and paracresol meeting specified tests were made subject to a rate of 20 per cent and 3l/z cents, one-half the rate on other intermediates. This brings the act in line with the rates already in force on phenol and cresylic acid as reduced by presidential proclamation. Among the finished products synthetic indigo, “Color Index No. 1177,” and sulfur black, “Color Index No. 978,” were reduced in rate from 45 per cent and 7 cents per pound to 20 per cent and 3 cents per pound. The small need for protection on these colors is shown by the fact, cited in the report of the Senate Finance Committee, that in the five-year period ending with 1928 they represented nearly 48 per cent by quantity and more than 16 per cent by value of our total dye production, and that they make up the bulk of our exports of dyes. Vanillin, “from whatever sources obtained, derived, or manufactured,” is lifted out of paragraph 61, “perfume materials,” where it was subject to a duty of 45 per cent, and included in paragraph 28, where it is subject to a duty of 45 per cent and 7 cents per pound. Paraarafih 29. Cobalt comfiounds. There was no change - in any of these duties. Paragraph 30. Cellulose esters are taken from this paragraph and included in the following, and the rate on the remaining articles :i reduced from 35 to 30 cents so that the paragraph now reads: Collodion and other liquid solutions of pyroxylin, of other cellulose esters or ethers, or of cellulose, 30 cents per pound.” Paragraph 31. Cellulose compounds. Under the act of 1922 compounds of pyroxylin, of other cellulose esters or ethers, or of cellulose (except hard-fiber cellulose compounds) considered as a raw material took a duty of 40 cents per pound, and finished or partly finished articles made from them a duty of 60 per cent. The most important of these compounds commercially was pyroxylin. While i t still remains so, cellulose acetate has had a notable growth, particularly because of the advance of acetate silk and plastics. It is given special recognition in the new act. Together with compounds and mixtures containing cellulose acetate, it takes a duty of 50 cents per pound in the form of blocks, sheets, tubes, or other raw material, and of waste, and an 80 per cent duty in the form of finished or partly finished articles. The rates on other cellulose compounds, including pyroxylin, were left a t 40 cents per pound for the raw material in the form of blocks, sheets, rods, tubes, etc., except transparent sheets more than 0.003 inch and not more than 0.032 inch thick, which take 45 cents. Finished or partly finished articles retain the old rate of 60 per cent. Specific mention was made of cellulose sheets, bands, and strips (whether known as cellophane or by any other name) more than 1 inch in width and not more than 0.003 inch in thickness. They have been imported under varying rates because of uncertainty of classification. The new act places the duty a t 45 per cent. An important change in this paragraph was the elimination of the provision that such finished articles, whether or not more specifically provided for elsewhere, shall be dutiable under this paragraph. Paragraph 32. The new act cuts the duty on compounds of cellulose, known as vulcanized or hard fiber, from 35 per cent to 30 per cent. Paragraph 33. Compounds of casein, known as galalith or by any other name, in the raw-material form of blocks, sheets, rods, etc., retain the same duty as before, 25 cents per pound. Finished or partly finished articles, however, are raised from 40 cents per pound and 25 per cent to 40 cents and 50 per cent.
5’01. 22, s o . 7
Paragraph 34. Drugs. There was no change in this paragraph. Paragraph 35. Certain botanical drugs and allied products. There was no change in this paragraph. Paragraph 36. The duty was entirely removed from buchu leaves, gentian, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, belladonna, henbane, and stramonium, inasmuch as these drugs and medicinals are obtained entirely from foreign sources and there is no American industry to protect. Coca leaves, 10 cents per pound, and digitalis, 20 per cent (a reduction from 25 per cent) are the only two remaining items in the paragraph. Paragraph 37. In the act of 1922 this paragraph consisted of the single item ergot, a t 10 cents per pound. As there is no production in the United States, the duty is entirely removed, and the paragraph number passes on to ethers and esters. The only change made in this paragraph was in the addition of butyl acetate and amyl acetate, both of which take a duty of 7 cents per pound. They were not specifically mentioned in the act of 1922, and were thus subject to the duties applying to a basket clause, which were low enough to permit the entry of large quantities of foreign products. Butyl acetate from abroad competes directly with corn as a source material for butyl alcohol, extensively used in the manufacture of lacquers for automobiles. The House report estimates that imported butyl acetate in 1928 displaced nearly 800,000 bushels of corn in the manufacture of butyl alcohol. Imported amyl acetate likewise competes with that made from synthetic amyl alcohol, a derivative of natural gas, whose manufacture in recent years has made large strides forward. Paragraph 38. Extracts, dyeing and tanning. There were no changes in this paragraph. Paragraph 39. Flavoring extracts, fruit flavors, etc. No changes. Paragraph 40. The duty on formaldehyde solution or formalin was reduced from 2 cents to 1 3 / 4 cents per pound; that on solid formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde was left the same, 8 cents; and that on hexamethylenetetramine was changed from 25 per cent ad valorem to 11 cents per pound. Paragraph 41. The duty on edible gelatin valued a t less than 40 cents per pound, formerly 20 per cent and 2l/2 cents, was made 20 per cent and 5 cents per pound, while on that valued a t 40 cents or more the old duty of 20 per cent and 7 cents per pound was retained. On gelatin, glue, glue size, and fish glue, not specially provided for, valued a t less than40 cents per pound, the duty was raised from 20 per cent and 1’/~cents to 25 per cent and 2 cents; valued a t 40 cents or more per pound, the duty was increased from 20 per cent and 7 cents to 25 per cent and 8 cents; casein glue was raised from 25 per cent to 30 per cent, and pectin, not mentioyd in the old act, was made dutiable a t 25 per cent; the clause other fish sounds, cleaned, split, or otherwise prepared,” following the items agar-agar and isinglass, was eliminated. Paragraph 42. Glycerol, crude, a t 1 cent and refined, a t 2 cents, remain as in the act of 1922. Paragraph 43. On ink and ink powders not specially provided for, the former duty of 20 per cent was cut to 10 per cent, but drawing ink, not previously mentioned separately, was given a 15 per cent duty. Paragraph 44. The duty of 20 cents per pound on iodine, resublirned, was cut to 10 cents. Paragraph 45. On bromine and all bromine compounds not specially provided for the 1922 rate of 10 cents per pound remained unchanged. Paragraph 46. Lead compounds. No changes were made in these rates. Paragraph 47. On extracts of licorice, in pastes, rolls, or other forms, the former 25 per cent rate was cut to 20 per cent. Paragraph 48. Citrate of lime, in the act of 1922, carried a rate of 7 cents per pound. It is used as a raw material for citric acid. As stated in the House committee report, the development of a process for obtaining citric acid from cane sugar, an outstanding example of successful American research, followed the increase in duties in 1922 on citrate of lime and citric acid and made us independent of raw materials from Italy. Lemon juice, however, was left on the free list and large quantities were imported, as i t is also a source for citric acid. I n addition to retaining the 7-cent duty on citrate of lime, the new act therefore places a rate of 5 cents per pound on the juice of lemons, limes, oranges, or other citrous fruits, unfit for beverage purposes. Paragraph 49. Magnesium compounds. Sulfate or Epsom cent, and salts take a duty of 3/4 cent per pound instead of ‘/z oxide or calcined magnesia a duty of 7 cents, displacing the 3l/z cents on the same product of the 1922 act. I n addition a rate of 2 cents was laid on manufactures of carbonate of magnesia. All other rates remained unchanged.
July, 1930
ISDUSTRIAL AND EXGIXEERING CHEMISTRY
Paragraph 50. Manganese compounds and salts. There were no changes in this paragraph. Paragraph 51. Menthol and natural and synthetic camphor. I n the 1922 act menthol carried a duty of 50 cents, crude natural camphor 1 cent, and refined or synthetic camphor 6 cents per pound. Following is the full text of the paragraphin thenew law: Menthol, 50 cents per pound: camphor, crude, natural, 1 cent per pound; natural refined camphor, 5 cents per pound; synthetic camphor, 5 cents per pound. If a t the end of three years after the enactment of this act, the President finds t h a t during the preceding six months the domestic production by quantity of synthetic camphor did not exceed 23per centum of the domestic consumption thereof b y quantity, or, a t the end of four years after the enactment of this act, t h a t during the preceding six months such domestic production did not exceed 30 per centum of such consumption, or, a t the end of five years after t h e enactment of this act, t h a t during the preceding six months such domestic production did not exceed 50 per centum of such consumption, he shall by proclamation so declare and, after six months thereafter, the rate on synthetic camphor shall be 1 cent per pound. To assist the President in making the investigation required by this provision, the Tariff Commission is empowered to investigate, to such extent as may be necessary, in the manner provided in the case of investigations under section 336 of this act, and shall report to the President the result of the investigation.
Paragraph 52. Oils, animal and fish. Cod, herring, and menhaden oils retain their former rate of 5 cents per gallon, and whale and seal oils their rate of 6 cents. On sperm oil, formerly a straight 10 cents per gallon, the new act places a rate of 10 cents for crude and 14 cents for refined or otherwise processed. It also gives a rate of 6 cents per pound to spermaceti wax, not separately mentioned in the former act. On wool grease the rates are increased and the classification made more specific, the new act reading: “Wool grease containing more than 2 per cent of free fatty acids, 1 cent per pound; containing 2 per cent or less of free fatty acids and not suitable for medicinal use, 2 cents per pound; suitable for medicinal use, including adepts lanae, hydrous or anhydrous, 3 cents per pound.” The 1922 act placed a ‘/%-centrate on crude and a 1-cent rate on other wool grease. Paragraph 53. Oils, vegetable. The two rate changes were ~ per pound to 3’/10 on linseed or flaxseed oil, from 3 3 / 1cents cents by proclamation, and now 41/2cents, the language being changed to include combinations and mixtures in chief value of such oil; and on olive oil, weighing with the immediate container less than 40 pounds, which takes a rate of g1/2 cents instead of 7’/2 cents per pound on oil and container. Paragraph 54. Oils, vegetable. Coconut oil, 2 cents, cottonseed oil, 3 cents, and peanut oil, 4 cents per pound, remain unchanged. On soy-bean oil the rate of 21/2 cents is changed to 3l/2 cents but not less than 45 per cent. Palm kernel oil, 1 cent, and sesame oil, 3 cents, are additions to the list, being formerly on the free list. Paragraph 55. Alizarin assistant, sulfonated castor and other oils, and soluble greases. There was no change in this paragraph except to substitute the expression “suitable for use” in various processes for the word “used,” as applying to the oils named. Paragraph 56. Chemically treated oils and fats. There was no change in this paragraph, the chief item of which is hydrogenated or hardened oils and fats. Paragraph 57. Mixtures of animal, vegetable, or mineral oils. There was no change in the 25 per cent rate or in the rest of the paragraph except to provide that mixtures should take the rate applicable to the component material subject to the highest rate. Paragraph 58. Oils, distilled or essential. Grapefruit oil was included with lemon and orange oils a t 25 per cent, and eucalyptus oil was cut from 25 per cent to 15 per cent. There were no other changes. Paragraph 59. Opium, cocaine, and their derivatives. The only change in this paragraph, aside from a simplification of language a t the end, was in applying a flat rate of $3 per pound to all opium containing not less than 8.5 per cent of anhydrous morphine. Previously the crude product carried a $3 rate and that more advanced in manufacture, a $4 rate. Paragraph 60. Perfume materials. The only change was to transfer vanillin from this paragraph to paragraph 28, as noted above, in accordance with the practice of the Treasury Department for many years. Paragraph 61. Perfumery and cosmetics. The only change was to add bath salts to this paragraph, in order to clear up difficulties of classification. Perfumed bath salts take a 75 per cent rate, whether or not they have medicinal qualities; bath salts not perfumed take a rate of 25 per cent, as under the old law. Paragraph 62. Floral or fower waters and bay rum. There was no change in this paragraph.
803
Paris green and London purple, 15 per cent, the sole items of paragraph 64 in the 1922 act, were transferred to the free list. Paragraph 63 thus corresponds to paragraph 65 of the 1922 act. Paragraph 63. Phosphorus, 8 cents per pound, remains the same as in the 1922 act, but to it were added phosphorus oxychloride and phosphorus trichloride, 6 cents per pound, formerly dutiable under the basket clause. Paragraph 64. There was no change in this paragraph, which places a 20 per cent duty on plasters, healing and curative, of all kinds, and court plaster. Paragraph 65. Artists’ paints or colors, etc. This paragraph includes “paints, colors, and pigments, commonly known as artists’, school, students’, or children’s paints or colors.” The 1922 act placed a 40 per cent duty on artists’ paints or colors in tubes, jars, etc., when not assembled in sets, kits or color outfits, and when so assembled 70 per cent. The present act lays a duty of ” 4 cent per unit on such commodities in tubes, jars, cakes, pans, or other forms, not exceeding 1 1 / 2 pounds net weight and valued a t less than 20 cents per dozen pieces, and not assembled in paint sets, kits, or color outfits. When the value is 20 cents or more per dozen, the duty is 2 cents per tube or jar and 40 per cent, and 1 1 / 4 cents per cake, pan, or other form and 40 per cent. Assembled in paint sets, kits, or color outfits these goods take a duty of 70 per cent on the value as assembled, but they are not to be considered as so assembled unless they are in such shape as to be suitable for retail to artists, students, or children as a paint set, kit, or color outfit. I n bulk, or in any form exceeding 1 1 / 2 pounds net weight each these goods take a duty of 81,J4cents per ounce. Paragraph 66. A basket clause for pigments, Colors, stains, and paints, not specially provided for. There was no change in the wording or the rate of 25 per cent. Paragraph 67. Barytes ore, crude or unmanufactured, retains its former rate of $4 per ton, and when ground or otherwise manufactured its former rate of $7.50 per ton. But the duty on precipitated barium sulfate or blanc fixe, is raised from 1 cent to 1 1 / 4 cents per pound. Paraarabh 68. Ferrocyanide and ferricyanide blues. “Ultramarine%l;e, dry, in pulp,-or ground in or mixed with oil or water, wash and all other blues containing ultramarine” take a duty of 4 cents per pound if valued a t more than 10 cents per pound. If valued a t 10 cents or less, 3 cents per pound. In the 1922 act the 3-cent rate applied irrespective of value. There is no other change in the paragraph. Paragraph 69. Bone black or bone char, and blood char. The duty on these three commodities remains a t 20 per cent. But decolorizing and deodorizing chars and carbons, formerly taking that rate also, are now classed with gas-absorbing chars and carbons, whether or not activated, and all activated chars and carbons, and given a rate of 45 per cent. Paragraph 70. Chrome colors. All chrome colors continue to take the 25 per cent rate of the 1922 act, without change. Paragraph 71. Gas black, lampblack, and all other black pigments remain a t 20 per cent, and there is no other change in the paragraph. Paragraph 72. Lead pigments. There is no change in this paragraph. Paragraph 73. Ochers, siennas, and umbers. There is no change in this paragraph, which also includes iron oxide and iron hydroxide pigments. Paragraph 74. Satin white and precipitated calcium sulfate, as in the 1922 act, are dutiable a t ‘/z cent per pound. Paragraph 75. Varnishes. There is no change in this paragraph. Paragraph 76. Tiermilion reds containing quicksilver, dry or ground in or mixed with oil or water, are given a rate of 35 cents per pound instead of 28 cents; cuprous oxide, not separately mentioned in the 1922 act, takes a 35 per cent ad valorem duty in the new act. Paragraph 77. Zinc oxide and leaded zinc oxides remain the same a t 1 3 / 4 cents per pound, or when ground in or mixed with oil or water, 2l/4 cents; lithopone and other combinations or mixtures of zinc sulfide and barium sulfate retain the former duty of 1 3 / 4 cents except when they contain by weight 30 per cent or more of zinc sulfide, in which case an additional 15 per cent ad valorem is assessed. Paragraph 78. Potassium. This paragraph remains the same as in the 1922 act except that citrate of potassium is added, taking a rate of 14 cents per pound; refined potassium nitrate, or saltpeter, is raised from 1/2 cent to 1 cent per pound; and potassium permanganate is raised from 4 cents to 6 cents per pound. Santonin, and salts of, formerly dutiable a t 75 cents per pound, are put on the free list. Santonin is a vermifuge which has been found very effective for removing worms from hogs. In the 1922 act it was the sole item of paragraph 79, the rate by proclamation.
804
INDUSTRIAL AMD ENGINEERI-VG CHEMISTRY
Vol. 22, Nu. 7
Paragraph 79. This paragraph reads, “Sodium, potassium, lithium, beryllium, and caesium, 25 per cent ad valorem.” Under the act of 1922 these elements were dutiable under the basket clause, paragraph 5, a t 25 per cent until the Treasury decision of December, 1928, when certain of these elements were classifie! as duty free under paragraph 1562 as “metals unwrought. Sodium is a key product in the manufacture of indigo and has other important industrial uses. Lithium and beryllium are used in the manufacture of alloys possessing lightness and strength. In addition, caesium is used in the manufacture of photo-electric cells. Paragraph 80. Soap. There is no change in this paragraph,, which provides a duty of 30 per cent on toilet soap and 15 per’ cent on castile soap and all other soaps and soap powders not specially provided for. Paragraph 81. Sodium. Most of the duties on sodium compounds remain unchanged. Bicarbonate, or baking soda, was placed on the free list. Sodium citrate, not separately mentioned in the former act, was given a rate of 12 cents per pound. On sodium nitrite the duty was raised from 3 cents to 4l/2 cents per pound, the proclamation rate. A duty of 2l/2 cents per pound was laid on sodium oxalate, not specifically provided for before. On sodium phosphate the 1922 act provided a flat rate of 1 / ~ cent; the new act places a duty on phosphate (except pyrophosphate) containing by weight less than 45 per cent of water, of 1 1 / 2 cents, and on other phosphate (except pyrophosphate) not specially provided for, “4 cent. On silicofluoride, not specially mentioned in the 1922 act, a duty of 11/2 cents is laid. And the duty on anhydrous sulfate is raised from $2 to $3 per ton. Paragraph 82. Sodium hydrosulg5tes and sulfoxylates remain unchanged a t 35 per cent. Paragraph 83. Starch. Potato starch is raised from 1 3 / 4 cents to 2‘/2 cents per pound, and all other starches, not specially provided for, from 1 cent to 11/2 cents per pound. Paragraph 84. Dextrin, made from potato starch or potato flour, takes a duty of 3 cents in place of 21/4 cents; dextrin, not otherwise provided for, burnt starch or British gum, dextrin substitutes, and soluble or chemically treated starch, are raised from 1 1 / 4 to 2 cents per pound. Paragraph 85. Strontium. Carbonate, precipitated, nitrate, and oxide, remain unchanged a t 25 per cent.
Paragraph 86. Strychnine and salts of, are raised from 15 cents to 20 cents per ounce. Paragraph 87. Thorium compounds, cerium compounds, and gas-mantle scrap. There is no change in this paragraph. Paragraph 88. Tin compounds. There is no change in this paragraph. Paragraph 89. Titanium compounds. There is no change in this paragraph. Paragraph 90. Turpentine, gum and spirits o f , and rosin, on the free list in the 1922 act, are given a 5 per cent duty. Paragraph 91. Vanadium compounds. These products were formerly dutiable under the basket clause a t 25 per cent. They include vanadic acid, vanadic anhydride, salts of the foregoing and chemical compounds, mixtures, and salts, wholly or in chief value of vanadium, not specially provided for, all of which now take a rate of 40 per cent. The increase was granted because of the efforts of manufacturers to establish vanadium compounds in the chemical industry with the same success as in the metallurgical industry, and to keep out a growing competition with European products. Paragraph 92. Vanilla beans, 30 cents, and tonka beans, 25 cents, are unchanged from the 1922 act. Paragraph 93. Zinc chloride, a t 13/10 cents, and zinc sulfate a t 3/4 cent, remain the same as in the former act, but zinc sulfide takes a duty of 3 cents as against l 1 / 2 cents in the 1922 schedule. Paragraph 94. Collodion emulsion, the commercial name for a silver bromide emulsion used in photography, is given a duty of 25 per cent. It was not mentioned separately in the 1922 act and was dutiable a t 25 per cent under paragraph 5. Paragraph 95. Azides, fulminates, fulminating powder, and other like articles not specially provided for, are given a duty of 121/2 cents per pound. They were included in the 1922 act under another schedule, and the rate remains unchanged. Paragraph 96. Dynamite and other high explosives, put up in sticks, cartridges, or other forms, suitable for blasting, take a duty of 11/4 cents per pound. This is also transferred from Schedule 3, with the duty rate unchanged from the 1922 act. Paragraph 97. Wood tar and pitch of wood, and tar oil from wood are taken from the free list and given a rate of 1 cent per pound.
Precautions in Accelerated Gum Test for Gasoline
In conducting tests of this nature there is a genuine explosion hazard if the bomb is charged directly from the oxygen cylinder without the use of a reducing valve, in which case it is possible to build up accidently a very high oxygen pressure in the bomb with probably disastrous results. A reducing valve between bomb and oxygen cylinder should always be used. An additional precaution which is considered well taken is to insert a safety valve or blow-out patch in the charging line between bomb and reducing valve. E. B. HUNN STANDARD OIL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
Editor of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: We have read with interest on page 473 of the May issue of INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY the account of an explosion that occurred recently in the Bureau of Standards’ laboratory in connection with an accelerated gum test on vaporphase gasoline. A similar procedure has been in use in our laboratories for the past two years for accelerating gum formation with all types of cracked gasoline, but in no case has an explosion been noted due to autogenous ignition. I n most of these tests the initial pressure of oxygen in the bomb was never greater than 7 atmospheres and the amount of oxygen present did not exceed 2 per cent of the weight of gasoline. This concentration of oxygen is sufficient to give a large amount of accelerated gum, yet insufficient, we believe, t o cause autogenous ignition. In several cases the mixture in the bomb, after heating to 100 C., was deliberately exploded by means of an electric spark to determine the maximum pressure developed should autogenous ignition occur. This maximum pressure recorded by an attached gage was approximately 35 atmospheres. We believe that the high pressure (20 atmospheres cold) and relatively large amount of oxygen (approximately 25 per cent of the gasoline by weight) were responsible for the Bureau of Standards’ explosion and suggest that you publish a warning to others who may be experimenting with similar tests without fully realizing the possible danger of autogenous ignition. For accelerating gum formation in gasoline we have found that oxygen under lower pressure (6 to 7 atmospheres) and in smaller amount (1 to 2 per cent of gasoline by weight) is sufficiently active and perfectly safe a t 100” C. O
ELIZABETH, If. J. May 16, 1930 . . . . . . e
Editor of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry: I wish to thank you for your letter of May 17 enclosing copy of comments by E. B. Hunn on the note published from the Bureau AND.ENGINEERof Standards in the May issue of the INDUSTRIAL ING CHEMISTRY.The note in question was published, not primarily as a warning, since adequate precautions against danger due to explosion would naturally be taken in any case, but rather as an item of interest with regard to spontaneous ignition temperatures. It may be that the higher initial pressure used a t the Bureau of Standards accounted for occurrence of these explosions, although previous work done on ignition temperatures does not indicate that these are much affected by pressure. Mr. Hunn’s suggestion of the use of a blow-out safety on the oxygen line between the cylinder and the bomb is one which might well be followed in all cases where high-pressure oxygen is used in connection with tests of this sort. H. C. DICKINSON BUREAUOF STANDARDS WASHINGTON, D. C. May 21. 1930
