New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-21
TIE COLLECTION OF DUTIES.
LIE NO4LLN IION VI ~ IilHo.
MORE COMPLICATIONS AND FRESH SOURCES OF AN.
NoYANCE FOR MERCHANTS.

MORE COMPLICATIONS AND FRESH SOURCES OF An.
NoYANCE FOR MERCHANTS.
The bill passed by the Senate day before
yesterday establishing a new method OF apprasing
merchandise, has attracted considerable attention
among importers and Others interested In order TO
ascertain the operation OF this latest addition TO the
revenue laws the opinions OF two gentlemen familiar
with these laws are here presented.
A gentleman who has had occasion TO examine the
various affecting the collection OF customs says
II shown In the article upon Custom house Ex-
tOriion," published In THE TRIBUNE OF March 49, that
1912 less than five methods have been estab
hshed by law ascertain the dutiable value OF mer
chandise The last way Of ascertaning the dutiable
value provided by the act of July 49, 1866 That
act provided that there should be added to the
market value at the time OF expectation in the prnc
pal markets OF the country the charges and expenses
which tue goods incurred between the place Of pur-
chase and the ship In which they were imported 1t
IL now proposed by Senator Boutwels b TO make the
sixth change IN asctraining duabe values Instead Of
leaving the law as 1t now Is. under which dutiabie
value on shiPboard is ascertained from legal and
proper % oil proposes 10 author
from the invoices OF other persons the prices they
have paid for the similar goods Instead az
making the law palmer. the act increases ats oompca
uons and places the importers st under the CON
troll Of examiners In the Apprdisers Department and
the result will be 10 enable those examiners 10 fix duti
able values Just as they please, and with or without
any legal proper evidence. II the policy the
Government TO say that examiners in the Appraisers
Department shall have the power TO advance goods at
their pleasure then this ought 70 be passed. II
only another step in the path Of legislation which has
been long pursued and will greatly increase the
legal complications upon that subject
Judge HogeDoom one Of the General Appraisers. said
that the synopsis OF senator Boutwelrs bill not suf
ncient 70 enable him 10 form opinion IN relation ~
ne meIlts starting upon the theory however, that the
OH PROVIDED for the removal Of the distinctions be-
tween tne various grades the several lines goods
ne Wouu say mat II was not likely 10 be OF
fO eiamps TAKE linen goods OF which there are many
grades ana brands IL Is proposed consider
them soey as without regard TO the distinctions
noted 10 tne raue' One manufacturer sets his name
apo. DIS Goods or gives them peculiar tite and they
cell for higher price In the market than any other
linen simply from tue fact that perhaps they have an
established reputation. In the matter OF the
difference is very great between grades and yartes
and all those questions and considerations enter i'm
The character OF the appraiseneDt The Appraiser fol-
lows them out and makes the appraisenent upon the
price al which the importer sells them In the marker
New then is proposed 70 take the various grades ana
then strike al average between the highest
sae VI The champagne. judge Hogebo0m concluded by