New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-12
MR. BOCT1ELL's REPLY.

.,
January I. 1911.
Sal have ths :lonoc to acknowledge
your communication of the twenty ninth
ultimo. in which you direct my attention to
the rules and regulations Of the Treasury
Department. as required by tAe importa-
ton act of July IA. 1870. In that letter you
call my attention to tive features which you
regard as difficulties in the way Of the prac-
teal operation of the law.
EirSt-That under the regulation. traus-
portation companies are prevented from
carrying any goods IN u car containing
bonded goods, though the latter may oc-
cupy ever so small Il space; and you suS-
gest such a modification ., will permit
other freishts to be carried between the
same terminal points in the same cars with
bonded goods. Should business between
ports OF frat arriva! and ports of entry
named in this act be 10 large as anticipated
by me. the difficulties arising from the rest,-
lations to which YOU cali NV attention will
be unfre1uen: occurrences only. and I be-
Geve that a careful examination Of the
workings of the suggestions presented III
your ierrer will convince YOU that such a
course would increase. materially the risk of
the government Acting on your sug-
ge.t:on. l have. however. ascertancd tie
size of the doors OF the box cars ordinarily
used i'll the country. and find that they are
which may be five feet in height. five fee:
in width. and seven feet IN length.
The suggestion that l make Is that rail
road companies. which may enter into bonds
for the transportation of goods under the
act of July II. sha!! provide themselves
with a sufficient number of cars IA large as
can conveniently be placed Il aii ordinary
box car. and that these smaller cars should
be made of iron. and arranged 50 as 10
.,tt lar 70 N., ,v,HA ipnf-
also. Such arrangement. I think. will
answer all the purposes o: :he government.
and enable railroads to :ranspOr: small
quantities of goods when the quantity
offered is insu!fcien. 70 freight a large Car.
and this without much additional cost to
railroads. Should this plan appear salts
factory. am prepared 10 modify the resu-
atIons accordingly.
You state. secondly. tha. transportation
companies seem to be under the impression
also that they are bur,iened with numerous
inspectors on cars and weasel. along the
routes the expense OF which. by law would
,levolve on them. II :S true that the reCu-
lations provide for the appointment of in
spectors at stations along the route and on
trains. but it is not anticipated hv the de-
partment tina: in ordinary cases such in
spectors Will be needed.
1t is presumed that goods deposited in
cars at New York. for example will be
transported 10 their place OF destination.
without any other supervision than that
which transportation companies furnish;
but it was thought prudent to reserve to the
government the right TO appoint inspectors
that. in extraordinary or unusual cases,
where the risk might be great or there
nigh; be reason to suspect fraud. the gov
ernment should be able to protect its inter
ests. 1t is not anticipated that the burden
OF this regulation will interfere in the least
with the business of the country.
You also state il has been claimed that
the Treasury Department requires iron
cars to be constructed for the purpose of
carryin: bonded goods under the law. and
you add. 'of which l find no mention in
printed regulations" This latter statement
or apprehension is without any foundation
whatever. The department expects that
railroad companies will use for the present
at least. the Customary box cars, in good
order.
Assuming that your letter contains. as l
believe it does. a full statement of all Objec-
tions which can be urged against the exist
ing regulations. it is clear there ia in them,
when modified. as proposed. no serious
difficulty contemplated in the way of busi-
ness by the act Of July II. 1870.
Very respectfully.
GEORGE 5. BOUTWELL,.
Secretary,