The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-07
GENERAL ORDER CHARGES.

Sugge stiOns for q New schedule oil Rates-ImA
portant Meeting Of Warehouscmem, Mer.
chants and Custom House Others.
In pursuance OF arrangement entered into
with General Arthur the Collector Of the Port by
the Chamber OF Commerce and the bonded ware
hOusemen, joint committee, representing the
Custom House, the Chamber Of Commerce and the
warehousemen met yesterday at two O'Clock. IN the
rooms OF the Chamber OF Commerce to take into
consideration the present rate Of general order
charges, ana take measures to adopt an amend ed
system, which will meet with the appreciation
OF the business men or the city. II Ia
necessary to state that II was on the
suggestion OF General Arthur that the arrange
ment was entered into. His suggestions were cor
daily accepted by the Chamber OF Commerce, and
the following gentlemen were appointed on the
various cOmmittees:-On the part OF the merchants,
Jonathan Sturgis, ID. Willis James, s. Humphreys
william A. Booth and A. $. Hewitt. On the part Of
the warehouse proprietors the Collector has ap-
pointed Franklin Woodruff John f. Fay, Frank
squire, A. b. Miller ana NJ. s. briggs ON the part
OF the Custom House the Collector has appointed
the following oncers all, by their relation to the
matter under consideration, experienced persons:-
5. p. RUSSELL T. b. Thorpe. Joseph Treioar, Harvey
MAJOR aud ). A. Smith.
the meeting was called TO order bv Mr. ]. Sturgis.
who TOOK the chair and explained the objects oil the
meeting.
document was submitted containing schedule
OF general order charges adopted BY the Chamber
OF Commerce IN 1857. but 1t has been used,
arbitrary rate drawn up by the Collector Of the
Port having been substituted IN It's place.
The CHAIRMAN-At the present meeting we can
not do much more than organize. would suggest
that report OF rates be prepared aud submitted TO
the committees for approval.
Mr.. HEWITT think the proper course to pursue
would be to receive suggestions from the ware
housemen. so lar as understand, the rates adopted
sstisactory anu furnish no ground Of complaint Il
Is the arbitrary rate now In use IN the generaL
order stores to which objection Is taken.
Mr. DRIGGs-I understand that the Collector
wishes to adopt uniform rate for the general
order stores and warehousemen generally. At the
present time there Is no such rate. The principle
Of those VINO now hold general order stores Is 70
make as much money as they can, and, having the
business almost entirely in their hands they charge
Just what they please. IL viii always be 50 so long
as The positions are gwen Ia reward Tor political
services.
MIR. THoRPR-From my position In the Custom
House, and from what have heard General Arthur
say can give an idea OF what the General wants.
He wishes to relieve the government and the Gus
tom House from the perpetual charges Of fraud by
which they are assaicd. and wants TO cut loose the
general order business from the Custom House, at
least In a great measure. There are otner reforms
which he would also ike adopted. II the mer-
tariff which would be satisfactory to all IL would
meet the dinlculty.
MI. HEwIrr-Ii a rate be adopted, how could it
MIR. TnORPE--General Arthur proposes to have
It slgpea py the Secretary OF the Treasury and
The CHAIRMAN again suggested that the better
way to proceed would be to have some definite plan
submitted which would cover the difficulty. II q
tarlff WAS drawn up by experienced men II could,
II found satisfactory be ratified By the committee.
Mr.. SMITH agreed VITA the Chairman, ana sug-
gested that the committee TO prepare the tarln
consist OF custom House officials ana warehouse
men, who understand the subject best
After considerable discussion the following reso.
luton was put to the meeting and unanimously
adopted
Resolved rha. the Custom House Committee be requested
prepare complete schedule OF all articles that
COMMITTEE OF warehousemeu be requested submit the
of and labor deemed by appropriate there
to- and that the said schedule be then TO this
mttee, the purpose of mod-
6caoDs may acceptable
10 the merchants OF this port
After the transaction OF some further unimportant
business the meeting adjourned.