The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-04
THE CUSTOM HOUSE PLUM.
MR.. B0UTWELL's JNVESTIGATING
COMMITTEE At WORK.

n
COMMITTEE At WORK.
The Importers OF New York Protesting
Against tho Carriage Bureau-Thc GoJj
Old Mans Prevarications-Tricks Of thr
ThievinG Politicians-Howt the Merchants
Of New York are Blcd.
On Friday last the Solicitors Of the Treasury
Department who had been ordered to New York to
investigate the charges brought against Collector
Grinneli by large NUMBER Of our most prominent
business men, met several OF the compliments at
the Pinh Avenue Hotel, and from them gained
much valuable Information touching the innovations
the Good Old Man has recently made In the manner
OF transacting Custom House business.
The exposs OF the Customs Carriage Bureau scheme
In The Sun about q week ago was read by every
member Of the National Congress, and the facts
therein set forth, coupled with the remonstrsnce
presented BY the merchants Of New York. created
feeling which resulted In the commission OF Messrs
Robinson and Evans 70 visit New York % repre-
sentatves Of the Treasury Department, 10 learn the
NrsrrnIHs OF mn. enNykLL's NEW SYSTEM,
to confer with the leading importers and communi-
cate the result OF their inquest 10 the authorities
Washington. The President was In town at the time
the Solicitors held their meeting but did not attend
he busy engaged preparing for his visi, to
Mr.. Abel r. corbin, his brothern-law. Of Elizabeth
CONFERENCE WITH rnr MERCHANTS.
the SUN article on the Customs Carriage Bu-
reau" had been carefully read BY the solicitorr and
they now sought, By personal conference with mer.
chants representing all the various commercial In
terests to gain exact knowledge Of the opinions
ruling among them relative 10 the Collectors latest
whim. One Of the gentlemen present at the meet
Ing, In answer TO numerous questions, made the fol-
The merchants OF New York oppose the establish.
ment Of Collector grinnell's new system, as seeu.
sufncient reasons. In tho 2rst place. they do not
wish to have their goods handled BY incompetent
men. Much OF their merchandise is OF such kind
as to require the services OF experts to handle
properly. These should be mon made familiar with
car. Win ,SS properly snasd
from the vessel and are solictous that IL shall be
%h9 Sa s9%. Suffered upon npSs ,Ss s
iadins have be- been &C complied with and by their &C.
enabled to save their employers from serious loss.
Many goods being Of perishaoe nature, 1t Ia i'm
portant That in the delivery to warehouses proper
made; and wien It is remembered that tho Gov
ernment allows but ten days or the application for
eiated.
CARGO OF RAIsrSs
Mr.. Evans-will you give an illustrationf
the invoice a, $1,000 These goods pay Suty Of
S ''S' Il Sd SS. A ss
selecting samples to send for Inspection will pick
out q iair proportion OF each class, and my claim
whereas. II the matter is len in the hands oi an in,
experienced man, the inspection may be made upon
claim may require great waste Of time aud a con.
sequent loss OF money.
osrhs hands AND iAftHrs'
ling. Green carmen know nothing about the casing
Of mirror pilates, statuary, plate glass and such
like Other goods must be placed 10 proper posi-.
tion: Others are LIKELY 70 be ruined By leakage. Our
$500 miro! plate with no NOR. care than they win
porter has sold a part Of his goods ITO arrive"
which have 70 Be % shipped % inland & !. such sres case i
The regular esrmsn esa a oacs dssses anything
wrong In The eSnai.ion Of the earEo snd by sivins
pioyor from loss. s"'
The carmen q the be importing ,s houses have become
sa sna nus IN ns hss ss n as
y' serving both as carmen and shipping clerks.
now MERCHANTS ARE ROBBED.
Mr. Robin.on-But the Collector allow. Won 10
take out licenses for your own carmen, does be
Importer-Yes; but the hcense Il granted only as
q hyor on condition mat every ioad saried ] shall
and y ndg cs rero6ed ulcondthSndRy, az Ms option
q he Collector. Here Is another point which you
should consider. Many small importers employ the
same cartman, and their combined business Is often
barely sufficient to afford him support. :,
Under the new system he Is unable 70 obtain a IL
censo 70 cart for more than one employer This In,
%s e,nsriencea helm and tbrox. n,anS 6aith nj ~ "a
skiiul workmen out Of employment"
oprSsxII,s IIaxI
~, .,',,.-"-
MT. Eyans-Tho COLLECTOR asserts that his system
meets the approval OF Ne" iork merchants almost
Without HhOtt ercePEon; h. ..., Nh. u.nor,,, -. ~.
sented, ! presumed
MT. kvans-fes. But MT, Grinnel says that the
lew merchants VINO siEned wlH sign anything
4, ,,lmPorterInihAI loeI upon our gni,d slt and
MI urnnell 40 an oio mercnsnt should DC ashamed