The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-04
CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.

xYsrrnrxs CONCERNING TEE wzIoHEns' DE-
p.RrmxSr LAID BARE-sEvEN wEIoHERs
AND ONE HUNDRED MEN MIGHT BE DIS
PENsED WITH.
The commission assembled yesterday on time, all
the members being present, Mr.. John Jay presiding
Assistant Auditor Jacobs recalled and examined.
HIS testimony iended to give the practical working Of
the DIVISION related also the hiring Of the Naval
once ON tnis score said that the present building
had been rented from tho Post estate for $32 900
annum II proved vain undertaking 70 obtain re-
duc.ion from this price. Tho building has been
released for three years from the 1st inst There
were four gentlemen employed In his division
over whom he had control. These gentlemen
prepare statistics for the Treasury Department At
Washington and for various newspapers Their APP
po,n,ment came direct rom tho Treasury Department.
and these men had also been exempted from the gen.
cral reduction OF ten per made all salaries prior
10 last July by special orders from Washington Mr.
Southworth ID the head Of this bureau. roll Of the
clerks Of this division exhibited BY Mr. Jacobs TO
the commssion Mr. JACOBS likewise stated that overy
complaint made to the Collector for inefnciency on
the part Of clerk in that division promptly fol-
lowed by tho removal OF the man. There was no sine
curist in that department.
MYSTERIES or rHs wxiGHxRs DEPARTMENT.
Mr. Frank g. Wentworth ncxt sworn, and his
tho wcighers' Department, and II impossible for
his bureau to make any mispay msnts He paid the
employ % In person. except where was sick, then
money was handed to the wife or child And again,
whero arise that gangs Of men are working IN
remote parts, say In Williamsburg, and II would DO
detrimental to tho service TO take the whole gang from
thor LABOR onc.half OF tho force Is paid on coming
TO tho ofncc and the balance Is sent to the men who
cannot get away. In 70 Mr.. Robinson's ques-
ton whether Mr.. Wentworth knew Of any gang being
mt on the payros who do work the witness hest
lated, and finally said II presume tho next question
will be who they are"
Mr. rurnure--No! We want to know about the sys-
tcm-wo want to know your personal knowledge.
Witness wanted the question framed differently.
Mr. Jay-Do you think the Services OF portion OF
the men could be dispensed with without injurng the
servicer
Wilness-Do you mean that the force could be re-
duccdY should say It could.
Mr.. Jay-We don't understand your hesitancy,
Mr.. wentworth Have you heard OF any men being
Wttncss-rhere are some who do not work, and
some VINO do useless work, such as walking around
GLOW many Of tho sss men in your department are
there who do non work, or useless work; are there
..Oh no; have tow In my mind; $50, 600 year
is paid In my department; mon are appointed partly
10 regard 70 political influence; probably NOT more
easily save the government $40, 900 year"
'Have weighc.s any possible interest IN increasing
payroIls In numbers anount2'
mo pecuniary interest, but the personal ana po-
litical influence brought TO bear on the weghers Is
something fearful" 49,
Mir. Turnurc-WhAt does that pressure COST the
Nv oil, probably II tho business was carried ss
merchant conducts his private anars ABOUT one quar-
ter could DO savedL'
.rhat is tho government could save about $76 600 :"
t.Yesn
All that was cut OF would the work be better donef"
~ know OF no complaint about tho way tho work IS
DONE have heard weighers tell Of being offered 50
and SO for inlsifyug weights"
MI Wentworth thought that tho government lost
no money by dishonest. practices. but the number Of
wcighcrs could be reduced from thirteen to six
FACTS IRON STATISTICAL BUREAU.
Mr. Joseph sou.hworlh, chief OF the Statistical Blu
been fifteen years connected with the AUDITORS d.
vision has twenty men In his bureau, not count
Ing three who wore engaged pTspaing statistics ior
was appointed direct from Washington In answer TO
question what newspapers received the statistics
Mr. Southworth stated that II was the journal Of Com
merce and one or two othcra
Sit. Turnure-Who pays for this work-the govern.
Collector Arthur. who was present. said to the
MISSION that the Journal Of Commerce offered to In
peuso. but tno govern ment refused 10 allow H.
Mr.. Southwortn continuod--lf he had his own way
and could organize the force OF mis- bureau as no
deemed proper no could probably dispense with i've
clerks Mono Of his men had any outside employment,
nor received any gratutes The personnel OF his
clerks as good as any In the department Every
suggestion ever made by him TO the Collector was
promptly acted upon.
ABUSES TO BE REMRDIRD
Tho Collector, Surveyor and Naval O0icer wero
directed BY the commission to examine with care and
advise them which department and subdivision of
their own knowledge. Information and belief. they
regard exposed TO violations OF the law in the
acceptance OF gratuties or In completely under any
form IN attempts OF fraud the revenue, and that
they tho Collector Surveyor and Naval Officer, report
At tho time such causes OF detects and in
the workings OF customs systems, as also the best
method OF practically remedying such abuses.
Surveyor Sharpe presented communication he had
received from the Merchanty' Express Company, ask
ing that goods allowed 10 be held i've days the
docks
me commission then went into session and
shortly after adjourned.