Hague & Co. v. United States

The merchandise is metal safety pins and hairpins, lacquer coated. They were assessed for duty as “pins with solid heads without ornamentation, including safety pins and hairpins” under the provisions of paragraph 158 of the act of October 3, 1913, which reads:

158. Pins with solid heads, without ornamentation, including hair, safety, hat, bonnet, and shawl pins; any of the foregoing composed wholly of brass, copper, iron, steel, or other base metal, not plated with gold or silver, and not commonly known as jewelry, 20 per centum ad valorem.

The importers, who are appellants here, claim the…