PORTO RICAN DUTIES.
The Attorney General Refuses to Render an Opinion on Certain Porto Rican Duties.
Washington, July 23.—Attorney-General Knox has declined to render an opinion, which was asked for by the secretary of the treasury, on the question whether or not, under existing laws, the secretary is authorized to refund the duties collected on goods imported from Porto Rico between the date of the ratification of the Spanish treaty and the date that the Foraker act went into operation. The attorney general says that inasmuch as the comptroller of the treasury has given his decision on the subject it is a matter for him (the comptroller) alone, and he therefore can not give a decision as requested.
It is authoritatively stated at the treasury department that the government will proceed immediately to refund these duties, acting upon the decision of the comptroller of the treasury, which was to the effect that the treasury department had authority under existing law. The duties amount approximately to $2,000,000.