The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-10
CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.


MORE OF The SYSTEM ExpLAINED-xorEs
FROM THE LAW. SEIZURE AND DRAWBACK
DivIsroS--A DIRECT CHARGE OF ABusE.
Yesterday proceedings OF the Custom House In
vcstigatlng Committee were opened with the tcst-
mony Of General \. G. Williams Deputy Collector OF
the seventh DIVISION. In answer 10 Mr. Robnson's
suggestion OF rctrenchrnent Mr. Williams thought
that the only way to accomplish It would be TO wipe
out the division, rs only had four clerks After the
examination OF Mr.. Williams tho committee handed
down an order requesting the rep refrain from
comments aud conservatons OF the evidence and give
merely the questions and the answers elected.
rHg PUBLIC sToRK.
MT Samuel B. Bla,chiord, Deputy Collector OF the
Eighth division, sworn next He testified that
his Office was located at the public Stores about mile
distant from the Custom House: his duties arc TO
represent the Collector custodian oi the building
and TO take charge OF goods therein also OF the SAM
pies and merchandise which DO gent to bonded
warehouses, II duabc has likewise charge OF all tho
cigars imported nj this port which stamped by the
government Since his occupancy lie has effected
many reforms When he first took tho Office
plants were made OF goods beng pcrcd; room has
SINCE becn fitted up called clock up" IN which small
parcels are placed and when such the merchant
IS Noticed TO bring hts invoice and identity the goods
In this way tho piIierng has been stopped, winch was
asccrnincd not 10 been perpetrated ut the public
stores but most generally while the goods tran
ST. Mr. Balchford gave an illustration OF receiving
samples and express packages which sum-
pies Tho Appraiser always OF his officers ready
to EXAMINE and lx the valuation on all such imports
Eah, men are required to receive packages Mr.. Tur-
nurc asked what there for such large force
on 80 trivial u business. Mr.. Bla,choTd explained
that the number OF packages received IN his bureau
average one and onc-quaricr minute, and that Tho
deliveries were u. the same rate Every package has
- DO thoroughly examined before reception aev
cry. hc number OF men employed ~ this depart nicpt
eghtylve, sixty five Of whom clerks and twenty
are watchmen The latter divided IN day aud niebt
watch. A reduction oi tho force would prove detr-
mental to the interest vi the merchants the eIa-
| Cicncy OF tho personnel Is above the average.
~ Mr. furuurc-rhc cost OF running tho public
stores does not come within - province the lease oi
the premises Is made direct by tho Treasury Depart
mcnt the government is at present tenant " wl.
the lease OF tho building not having as Yet been re
newed; IN regard to the availability oi tho present
premises Mr. Blatchiord stated that owing to their
close contleuy 10 thu ferries and steamer docks
location could not be surpassed
| Every inclhciency IN the clcrks reported To tho
Collector was at once romedied either by removal or
suspension. Every promotion made In the iorce has
been on tie recommendation OF the wnness
| Law, SEIZURE DRAWBACK.
| The next witness called was Mr.. Dudley y. Phelps,
Deputy Collector oil the Ninth divisun, who TESTIFIED
That he has been in charge Vt this bureau nee 1872;
prior hrs coming there this division divided
three parts-drawDack seizure and law; atty clerks
are employed here witness knows every man per-
Competent men; IL necessary these clerks TO
posscss legal ability; when questions OF law SUBJ
ttcd 10 the Collector the same always rcicrrcd to
his DIVISION Tor answer; when SEIZURE IS made the
special agent or inspector makes out four copies
thereof, Two OF which are hed with him and the re-
niuinder deposited with tho Surveyor; tho delais
are investigated aud II not considered proper
the goods arc released. Mr.. Phelps then gave
| y description Of procedure In matters OF seizures.
Has reported an Inspector dong duty ut the Castle
Garden, who was detected in collision with the
grants arriving here III dcrauding the government:
4
Fifth DIVISION inds unable to collect tho documents
are sent 10 the Ninth DIVISION and II found necessary
suits Instituted tor the recovery Oi these
IN his opinion the Immediate transportation VI goods
| without upprasement should be abolished: there IS
no way OF ascertaning the value vi such merchandise
except ny tho Invoices; tho danger attending this
Practice is that III small places there
tho proper value of ali Kinds OF goods ;
witness did not how he could get along with a
SIN aer force, unless could designate his men,
ani then he might probably dispense with about our
clerks.
| DIRECT CHARGES OF ABCsEs MADE
Mr. Isaac q. Baich, Chef Clerk OF tho Ninth dvis-
ion, testified that he has occupied his present position
FOR eight years. the iorcc might be reduced by five or
SIX Clerks considerable smuggling had been going on
which, IN witness opiuion. may DO charged to the
efficiency OF the officers; great dnnution IN TINS
laon OF the law may be attributed 70 tho abolition Of
tho "Moety law" In regard 10 bonds, Mr.. Baich
SAID that surcties seldom required to justify on
such Instruments II they do not amount 10
| $4,000; brokers should be required to make u
general Justification before beng allowed 10 sign
bond. There are many responsible brokers among tho
leading who good class oi suretics
be obtained. The practice vi granting Tree permits
should be done away with Goods thai arc repre-.
scented by tho importers duty iree should be sent
TO the public stores 10 DO examined. Witness did not
think that importations OF this class often looked
ut, II At all Witness has also heard OF the COM
mon rumors about gra,ultles being paid 10
Clerks this might be stopped by tho parties
In power taking energetic steps 10 suppress II !;
the law on protest anu appeal should be amended !:
II entails needless amount of labor and Dcccsstate
u protest being filed with every entry. In witness
opinion the Sixth and Seventh dvisions might be
soidated with the Fitn, aud the Tenth DIVISION with
the Third as abors OF these bureaus identical
Mr.. Jay-lt has been suggested 10 US that owing to
the delays occasioned here goods can be imported
| much cheaper ut Boston than New York.
SIR. Bach--lt ~ natural that al u small port the
labor much less aud goods delivered without any
delay Adjourned