The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-16
THE E1PREssnEN,s rRoUBLEs
An Obsolete Law TINT PIagucs Foreign linz
porterp and Domestic shippers.
Mn. nnldwin. of Rnldwin 4 ~. nr

Mr.. Baldwin, OF Baldwin 4 co., pro-
prietor Of the American and European Express,
8 Id on Wednesday, there are nearly four thOu-
sand packages sent from Europe detained by
the inenlcieucy and red-tapeism 81 the Custom
House Onit ills. These packages are detained on
account Of a recent ruling Of the Secretary OF
the re- lsury concerning entries for consump-
ton OF warehouse Of parcels or articles from
Till Il ladine. The ruling Of the Secretary is
based on llw Of l,!N. which had for long time
been regarded as oh olete. The enforcement of
the law has nearly ruined the business Of the
express com pauics so far az the transmitting Of
y ckagcs between Europe and America Is con-
cerncd. Mr. Baldwin has just returned from
Washington. where he had been to present the
facts to the Secretary. and TO prevail upon him
not to enforce the law. Mr Baldwin represented
not only his own firm. hut that Of Wells, Fargo
Co., L. W. Morris's European Express, c. -.
Richards & Boas, agents Of the Prussiln
Closed Maj. and Others In the same husi-
ness. Heretofore II has been the custom Ut
this port to enter what packages they want
for delivery To customers. and send the re-
mainder to warehouse or general order store.
Tho Secretary of the Treasury referred the COM
plant to the Assistant secretary, and he has
thus Tar renamed STUBBORN IN ma oplniOn that
the law must be enforced.
Some Interested parties suggest the pro forma
entry. but this would not avail because the ex-
press companies, not having invoices, would be
certain to ovcrvaue or undcrvalue the packages.
Another plan WnlCn mas Deen suggested IL WdiN-
ing forfeiture In some cases and rctunding In
other cases, the express companies estimating
the value high enough to protect themselves
depending upon early liquidation Of the refund
In case OF too high valuation. This plan the ina
jority of the exnress conpantcs do not like. he
cause II they paid too much duty the consignees
would be dissatisfied: while " the goods were
moderated the Government would hold the ex-
press conn anies liable. In most instances the
companies would find II impossible TO collect
the increase for tina consignees. As the law
stands the oath required, and tue requisites Of
cut les and character OF invoices prescribed.
with each entry the importer or importers must
swear that the goods imported bv him or them
are all the goods he or they have ON tile vessel
In which they cane. MIR. Baldwin says that
what 10 wanted IL to have a dep ittinent IN the
revenue service ere lted for the special purpose
Of apur listing duties on express packages.
the new ruling Il the law affects not only the
eyurC-s cpmUanies. but importing merchants
also. N a mercht nj receives du2cn consiRu-
mcnts from dozen different cons guecs on the
s1me vessel, he Is required to enter them all at
tho same time ana for the same purpose. Tor
cOnsumItip or warehouse. or he obliged To
send them to general order store. MIR. Bald
win Will return - Washington this week to pre-
sent the complaint to the Con mi tee of Ways
aud Means. lie has drawn up what he considers
prupcr amendment. and II Is expected that
tho committee will eive him hearing. SAID a
gentleman IN charge OF Baldwin a. Co.'S ONCE
1t makes us sick to see so many letters coming
In from persons who are angry at the n0n-de-
livery OF packages addressed to them. ono dis
appointed man angry that he danced
about our once like wild man. All we could
do was to tell him that We could not help him at
present