New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-05-08
and Clerk OF the Senate Woodruff is progressing rapidly
aud the committee expect make their report this week
CUS7OM-HOUSE METHODS.
THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUED.
WORK OF THE COMMiSSION-CLERKs AND THEIR
DUTIES-FEES.

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUED.
WORK OF THE COMMiSsIoN-CLERKs AND THEIR
DUTIEs-FEEs
The Custom-hOuse Commission resumed lts
work yesterday and adjourned at $3.50 p H.. certain
clerks who required witnesses having left the
building for the day. This made impression on the
Commission as the hours kept by the Custom-house
employees. To-day the Commission will make "a tour OF
the Collectors Offices and witness the practical workings
of the oompiex machinery of the Custom-house The
investigation will extend week or ten days longer
An inquiry had been made whether or not officers
would he protected from removal on account OF nlorma-
ton given to the Commission Secretary Shermans re-
ply in the affirmative read by Mr. jay.
Edmund NJ Evans, Chief Clerk OF the Bureau for the
Liquidation OF Vessels, testified that he had been en-
poyed in Custom-house since 1850 His duties en-
braced the ngudating OF vessels, the indorsing ana
registering Of tncss the filing of papers, and the re-
celviug Of protests and appeals. In 'lo'o ne
reported 3612 appeals The complex tarlh maze
great deal of correspondence necessary.
lie thought procedure in protests and appeals coud
he greatly simplhed The Collector was sustained by
the department in about four out of five Custom
house business was rendered excessively complex by the
system OF both al valurem aud specific duties He would
recommend making the duties specific He had IL CLERKS
under him II lie had such he might select ne
could carry on the work of his department with three
less
Mr. Tunure said after the witness retired IWo men
can do thc work OF three IN that oihce the AuutoI "
there Is no DOUBT about IT, ,-...
John j. Hcrr!ck, Assistant Auditor SAID his duty was
10 draw all chcs for every disbursement mace I'D tIe
Collectors OH O. except the payment Oh sa i ~
fOYefly had ci-At clerks, hut now only SIX ne IduIt
rctr ucnrut, but did not Sc how he conld spare shse
clerk. n ccrE had finished his work by : ociocN nc
was at liberty the day. Toe force III the Aud
tors Dcp.rucut was about what IL IL years ago
There had scarcely been than i've removals Ill ~
years In opinion both the force ana the pay ought
be incl CaSCd.
lanes Hoffman said nc had been cashier since last
july and his dues Were to receive ana deposit an the
money collected either directly or III tue way - Ices
All the fees CLASSIFIED IN customs DOCK N"Ch
was made up every night and the receipts deposited III
even thou, auds. Mr.. Hoffman explained how prOprr
account was rendered to ,he Government for al thc ices
Trere two General classes Of fees, those chnrSc or
lrcct service rendered. sach as the measurement OF
vessel aud charged where literal service was
rendered 10y the GUycum nt - entries OF mcrcmnd'he
in one another Iucsc latter on which there was
10 check the Naval Office, averaged between T@tlbOo
and $3.50 900 per anuuu. NJ. Iurmuc sought 10 brhS
disc, for when the Governments rendered no service
though reVc ne 10 Inc Government, cost inc i-
the Government, in annoyance anu tlue eNpchucl III
running about the Cus;Ou-hOus, ana also wa Il Eicit
clog on the business OF the Cu-tOIl-uOu>e MI IulhWt
said hr wanted to get II Out uI Government NIh0N
that these fee amounting 100000 month, cost the
merchants 81 100000 lu tnc aud expense lie WhtsS
Gii not express his views so strongly. lie tod-hj htht
fees an important OI revenue but admitted thdt
they were heavy on the merchants, and ina thty
might in great part be abolished or consolidated Win
ueneht to Tie puDIc and t. the tusiciiDse - stem
Collector Arthur the pil'idiS We
i'm favor aBUil-tmg special fees. They were great
huldcn on the merchants He had heretofore recon-
all special b. abolished thc hrccS-
sary fees collected with the entry money.
John J. Osborne, deputy collector IN charge OF lhc
warehOus. division o the general office, explained no"
record Kept oi the sUrcRC prrS accounts ana q" lh9
transportation and expectation of goods, and described
the dIvalOn 81 Wor. Ia Ills department