The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-12
REVENUE su1,s.
Claims for Excessive Duties on Mohair
f* and Alpaca Cloths.

Claims for Excessive Duties on Moha ir
ft and Alpaca Cloths.
1t has been reported that many actions have re.
Gently been brought by the leading dry goods i'm
porters OF this city against Collector Arthur for
excess Of duties imposed and collected the large
class OF dress goods known In the trade as mohairs
and apacas. A HERALD reporter yesterday called
on Mr.. Phelps, Deputy Collector In charge OF the
Ninth division, the bureau OF the Custom House
having control Of the legal questions arising in the
collection OF the customs. He was courteousy re-
ceved by that gentleman, who explained the legal
points sought to be raised by the importing firms
protesting against the Custom House interpreta-
ton OF the various tari acts and sections thereof
now in force, and referred to the assis tant
specially cognzant or these claims. 1t was thus
ascertaincd by the reporter that in most If not
ali the spring importations OF this class OF
fabrics, when are brought to this market
In large quantities by all leading dealers in dry
goods, the duty has been paid under protest, and
the importers have appealed from the decision OF
the Collector TO the secretary Of the Treasury,
who has answered their application FOR rebate
In the negative, thus sustaining the action OF the
Collector in the premises. BY the customs regu-
latons the rate OF duty as assigned by the experts
OF tine appraisers departments. alter thorough
examination Oh the goods ana their invoices, must
be paid by the importer or consignee before he
can have the goods delivered to him. He then Is
allowed ten days to file his protest with the Col
lector After tnis, IN case his claim Is disaowed,
for the excess he has paid beyond the legal duty.
or failing to do this, he has no remedy the law
considers thar ne wholly relinqulsnes his claim
his action within the period designated.
1t was not asserted that any suits had been
actually commenced, as the three months since
the payment OF the disputed duties under protest
has not yet expired. The number OF these claims
fifty psr day. 1t is dificuIt II no. impossiSIe 20
ascertain the amount in dispute as the discrep-
ancy varies or may vary IN each entry. Duty Is
Adn nm fhnQn 10 All rryNdn I'm nDf
1857, which provides that goods composed wholly
or in part or the hair Oh the alpaca goat or other
cordns to- fneness ana value. from SKY SIX cents
per square yard and thtrty-fve per cent ad
vaorem, to eight cents per square yard and forty
per cent ad val0rem and IN case or goods weigh.
ing over four ounces to the square yard, fifty cents
per pound and thirty-fve per cent cd vaorem.
Quoted az provided by the law OF June 8. 1872. In.
stead OF has method OF computation the importers
claim that under the act OF July IA, 1870. they
vaorem with sSe acaacson ten Pe is
the law OF June. 1872 OF course the sum claimed
as excessively levied varies according TO the
weight. hneness and value OF the goods in each
invoice.
are nled by the law nrm OF stedwell 4 Prentice,
and on these gentlemen the reporter called. Mr..
stedwen informed him that though the number OF
these claims Is very great, and daily increasing,
the sum in dispute has been exaggerated On
those goods usually called alpacas and mohairs,
from long coarse wool called alpaca wool, though
distinct from the hair fleece OF the alpaca goat OF
South America and the angora goat OF Asia Minor,
an imitation Of alpaca or mobair fabrics, they
claim no rebate, the protests applying only to
those textures In whose composition the hair or
the alpaca or angora goat Is actually used In the
ordinary course OF business In the United States
Courts these questions, In which the suits are
about to be commenced, would not, naturally,
come up for trial before jury under years. time.
However, the secretary OF the Treasury could,
IN view OF the constant occurrence Of new cases
involving exactly the same issue, direct the United
states District Attorney who will be charged with
defending these suits to have them advanced on
the calendar, In which event test suit might be
brought on by October OF this year. decision
in one suit, II against the Collector, would control
the settlement OF all the claims, and would OF
course, alter the rate Of duty TO be thereafter
charged upon these goods.