The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-11
CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.
EXAMINATION INTO THE AFFAIRS OF THE
WAREHOUSE DIvisIoN-DEPUTY SURVEYOR

EXAMINATION INTO THE AFFAIRS OF THE
WAREHOUSE DIvisIoN-DEPUrY SURVEYOR
BENEDICT ON "HATCHETs" AND 'BoNEs."
At tho session OF the Custom House Commission
yesterday Mr. Isaac D. Balch again appeared TO make
some correction In his testimony. Deputy Collector
Phelps scnt communication to the commission, IN
which he controverted q statement wherein It Is
charged clerks had been discharged In
his division and poor ones were retained.
Mr.. John n. Lydecker sworn and testified that
he is Special Deputy Collector and Sorekeeper Of the
Port acting In the absence of the Collector as such
as Chief OF the Tenth division he has general SUPER
vision Of the bonded warehouses OF the port has four
clerks in the dvison there this time sixty
warehouses, which will be reduced shortly to sixty
two; each ,nded warehouse has storekeeper two
stores in Jersey City and Hoboken have each two
storekeepcrs tho owners being the steamship CON-
pancs; there nine relief storckeepers whose duty
IL collect tho from the various warehouses
these reports are collected for the records, which
are proved with the reports made to the
division; has no special supervision other
divisions; knows nothing about making appointments,
OF s,orckcepers are mado BY tho collector on his own
responsibility; has had OCCASION 10 report storekcep-
ers dcrelcon OF duty, IN which cases the Collector
has always taken prompt action the matter OF small
fees beng paid cannot DO very well traced out anu Is
evidently tho cropping out OF al old time system an
order issued which would provide for dis
missing any man detected In accepting any fee
might have preventive effect; the superin-
tendcnt Of tho bonded warehouses is most use
iul and highly necessary officer besides visiting
every warehouse he mas all applications for now
bonded warehouses rcterrcd TO HIM for investigation
and report; clerk could not do this buslness when
a merchant asks for reappraiscment u 10 accorded
to the applicant on paying the expenses OF tho same
tho money Is paid to the auditor anu the expenses dis
bursed by him by Checks tho merchant appraiser 70
ccvcs SIS per diem; recollccts where one particular
removed Tor accepting extra fees for working
entries alter oinco hours.
Mr.. Turnurc replied that DC knew tho very well
and tho government lost thereby most efficient man.
MIR. Samuel y. Russell, superintendent oil Bonded
Warehouses;, was next sworn. His testimony was 10
the effect that no supervised all the bonded warehouses
in the collection district that thoy in GOOD
condition and tho goods 10 their proper
destination dcp0uent In connection with committee
from the Chamber Of Commerce., has been engaged 10
carrying bonded goods on orders from the Treas
ury Department; the bonded warehouse system must
the Collector heard Of political Is
being made on the steamship companies or on ware
houscmcn.
Mr.. james l.. Benedict was the next witness, who
deposcd that he is Special Deputy Surveyor and An.
ditor OF the Surveyors Department; has general
charge OF the business OF the oihcc.
Mr. Robnson-How are the men In your department
appointed and how do they compare with other officers
Mr.. Bcned,ct-Tho inspectors in Office arc very
much ixo tho dogs at tho Bench SNOWFALL sorts and
classes; DON'T however, desire to compare men with
dogs; have some really excellent gentlemen as in
spectors and others arc not as good Witness stated
that the Isl Inspectors might gradually DO reduced 70
205.
ssBoyEs HATCHRTs.o
The system OF paying gratuitics TO inspectors by
steamship companies might possibly DO improved by
the recent order suggested by tho commission; in
spectors should be rcmuneratcd Tor extra services,
and the steamship companies should properly DO taxed
TO pay this, OF through the Custom House au-
thorities common rumor oscribes certain perqulstes
paid 10 inspecors these designated as hatchets
and ubones - ..hatchets" moneys received from
merchants Tor allowing their goods to remain on tho
instead OF being sent to the General Order stores
hu
ititious arriving IN port tho only way TO
abrogale tho last evil would to be for the govern
provide proper place iorthe examination OF
baggage.
The commission then adjourned