The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-20
THE CUSTOM HOUSE CONNI1TEE.
Blackmailed Importers Com
r1es ing to the Front.
What Frank Howe Says About tho Naylor
Case-deneral Denial Of the Facts-An Ex-
Official Defender Of the Custom House Put
Through Course Of 'sprouts''-
Abundant Proofs of Oppres-
sion and Intimidation.

Aounuant fro0iS OF Uppros.
sion and Intimidation.
the Custom House investigation was resumed at
ten o'clock yesterday morning. AS usual. q large
number OF Custom House officials, including ex.
Collector Murphy, we're on hand.
The following nominations were submitted by
Collector Murphy
James NJ Thompson No. 49, vice Charles Phelps,
removed. weigher; James N. Thompson. az a salary
OF 81, 500, vice Charles r. Phephs, removed.
GEO. s. BOUTWELL,, Secretary.
Mr.. Williams. Of the firm Of Williams & Guion,
testified to the losses incurred in the general order
stores OF goods belonging to his firm; does not be-
ieve that agents of the steamship lines have been
In the habit OF 0ribing inspectors; Mr.. Drew, of
his agents, Is In more Immediate relations with the
inspectors; sums OF money are frequently found on
the books for secret service.
Senator CAssERLY-l wish you would ascertain
the extent OF those payments ana let US know.
o. What opportunity Is there for packages being
opened before leaving the shipa A. In some In.
stances they may have been opened bills OF lading
are given at Liverpool to the shippers, II the pack.
ages are In good order, certifying that they in
such order; sometimes packages are shipped at
night, and, though In bad ORDER they may be over.
looked and shipped o. K. - -l- "a
Josiah Rich, an Appraiser of Damaged Goods, tes-
after voyage the merchants are entitled to reclaim
alton; the goods are first entered at the Custom
House as In good condition; when found to be i'm.
paired o certificate Is made out, signed by the I'M
porter, accompanied with the anidavlt of the APP
pralser testifying that the damage was In.
CURED on the voyage; the Collector then
notifies the United States Appraiser to ascer.
tain the extent Of the damage; insurance
companies only insure against damage by The sea,
other losses which may take place on the voyage
wish TO pay duty on damaged arucles-in particu-
lar, fruits; when General Palmer came into ONCE
damages had been allowed, and adopted very
measures to prevent
al r expert IN THIS ss a Sometimes Mss
most cases merchants are fairly reimbursed for
their losses; the dnmages vary; they range all the
The witness here entered into q heightened state.
ment OF the manner IN winch the apprasing bust
9et setIement made a. the present tme ns az
4 ever mas been before; the examiners nave tried to
keep him at arms length latterly ne has not
amlnations d formerly. He Is thrown almost
entirely out OF employment and the bullness he has
ties. The chief causes Of complaint are the dim.
Guilty Of getting examinations made and the par
senator TEwARr-Have you ever made complaint
to the General APPRAISER A. Yes, and have been
COrro-
spondent he had. daughter, He, however, ex-
pressed sympathy with me- '-"A "a @
Maas was e nn re on Mnc 9S msae
A. No; there Is certain opportunity given for tbs
~ 81 oeGrs sy eas he s
|, as to the condition. OF the PACKAGES; packages In
81 goods a.
tined as foiiows.aoods on arrival are sent 70 the
Custom House and are sometimes certified to- BY me
| upon the voyage; the United states Appraiser and
the insurance COMPANIES then settle the damage be-
| came into ONCE as Appraiser, thought that
| excessive damages had been allowed In many
anything snses aS fraud had
40 expert In fruit Tor period OF twenty-five years,
yet considered tnat was very dlncnit 70 accurately
mbursed for their losses at an average OF from ten
TO sixty per cent Witness here explained at some
length the manner In which The appraising busi-
ness Is conducted and asserted that he thought It
was more difficult for an owner to get high valua-
There was favoriilsn and the Chief cause OF com.
plant seemed TO be IN getting On examination OF
Was sympatnzcd with, but told at the same time
that was most youminous correspondents.
colonel Frank d. lowe was next exainined-He
nm; he was charged with making 100000 out OF
the government but asserted tnat he could produce
records from the District Attorneys Office which
would confute that asseveratlon; the amount Of
money accruing to the government from fines and
$4,000 accrued to his ONCE; the salaries OF his
officers amounted to $24 900. and his own pay was
SIS per diem, less then $4,000 year. Senator Cas-.
serly stated tna; the government taxes 0ne-ha OF
the anos and penalties and all the duties.) With
reference Colonel HOyt the cause OF all the dii
Guilty In the matter was our allowing the papers to
| be examined ct MAYORS ONCE, contrary to our
general rules; this mistake was the cause OF many
| distractions; / said no settlement could be made;
the matter involved $4,000, and sau could only
be settled through the interv enton Of suit OF law
or the District Attorney; never SAID would COM
promise The affair for c0nsderaton 1t IL entirely
false; the Custom House exercised arule OF terror
| over the house OF Naylor. ~ " E.i,'."
Senator BAYARD-n the law has beeu violated
punishment should be dealt out 70 the guilty par
| ties. Ii there Is charge hanging over you
ills desirable that you should acquit yourself at
| the earliest possible moment; we do not ask or
wish to make general inquiry into your business;
certain papers necessary for the purpose are with
held py the Custom House officials; lett the estab
lshment but once; that was for the purpose OF con-
| ference with the firm; cannot say IN what room
| the cigars were smoked and the WINE drank:
| made an agreement delaying the action OF the law
on cert ain cOnditions met the United States Mar
| shall In the street last evening, and he was
| astOnlsned at the evidence OF Colonel Hoyt.
Senator BAYARD-t Is not evidence what you
| have heard at second hands.
Senator CAssERLY ito winess)-l would not like
| to mention all have heard concerning you In your
official capacity since came to tho City, and your
officials also. A. would like to have them stated,
that might know what they were.
q. Are you aware that Mr.. Davis, the District
| government had been defrauded OF duties to
| TIM nnutfo f A w