New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-14
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER IA, 1877.
WASHINGTON.
THE NETWORK CUSTOM HoUsI

| APPRAISERS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF MER-
CHANTS AND oTBERs-TEN RECOMMENDATIONS.
| lBr TELEGRAPH TRIBUsEl
| WASHINGTON, Sept. 13.-The fourth report
OF the New York Custom House Commission IL a volu-
ruinous and conscientious paper 1t is devoted mainly
to an inquiry into the method OF doing business in the
Appraisers Office The magnitude Of the business Of that
office may learned from this fact Even the pres
dull there received there for examination
over 10000 invoices each month The noted Lawrence
silk frauds called the attention Of the Government First
to the immense possibilities OF fraud under the method
OF examining only package in ten That method has
been changed. and the Collector now thinks that no
frauds OF that kind have been tilted since the adop
ton OF the late order requiring all packages assigned to
importers whose characters not well known, to De
sent into public stores The Commissioners say that the
confidence however, is not expressed by all who
have examined the subject; that collision Is still easy
between Custom House officers and importers. and that
frauds may still be accomplished with small probability
Of detection. statstiean Of the Custom House esti-
Inmates that silk imported into this country there
wss-either by direct smuggling, ny undervaluaton-
at least five six million dollars year, perhaps seven
millions out OF thirty-nve millions, which paid duty.
One of the examiners estimated the loss to the Govern
by underyaluatons at from three TO five millions
year. Another witness spoke Of the silk smuggling dur
ing years "prodgious -; and the United States
Civil Service Commission their report Of 1871 looking
at the general loss ofrevenue, remarked:
It ia calculated, by those who have made careful
study OF all the facts that onequarter OF the revenues
OF tne United states annually lost IN the collection
silk merchants complain tn It they have been driven
out OF the importing business because they can buy silks
cheaper in the NewYor markets at auction than they
import them. The complaint has been made by
representatives OF other trades The Commission state
that arguments made both for and against the pres
location OF Public Stores and say that they nopre
pared the objections TO the site OF these stores
well founded The Commission nd that the alowancesfo for
damage than they should be. One OF the most
experienced officers says that Often where allowance
Of forty per made he would not give than
i've In OF damage, where on eigbty-our bales
OF wool there had allowed FROM five to forty per
found determination thac but twelve bales
had been slightly damaged by salt water The Commits
sion refer the difficulties appraisers have in determin
ing dutiable value OF imported goods, and say
II does not appear regard the appraisers who are
TO determine the dutabe value 4 imported goods mat
systematic arrangements have been made for supply
ing them with reliable and information 60 the
market values at the time and place or expectation
They have been compelled TO rely generally on their own
experience.
The Commission do share tue general hOpefulness
Of many of the Customs officers to the result Of recent
reforms in the service They say:
Whilst the investigation has developed. the part OF
certain employees, respectable degree Of ability anu
experience as could be reasonably expected from the
system OF appointment in yOgue-wtn no provision
for examination probation, or pernanenee during
distinctly perhaps, tnan any other that the general re-
Of eBdanger alike the national
revenue and the interests OF commerce. No safery
be secured by multiplying checks and guards
impOrtati0us now So abundant from The cxporteTs
oath and consus certificate To the nnal liquidation OF
the vessel, II the determination OF tile question aud
duties is to be given 10 inspectors. sampl rs,
examiners aud appraisers chosen Tor other motives than
asccrtaned integrity aud illness, and against OF
whom charges preferred OF ignorance and iucOmpe
tence Of negligence and indifference, blended with
sona proofs of fraud ana COLLISION the testimony dos
seem To dictate any recent increase IN toe conn.,
dence entertain by merchants the accuracy and
actne with which the duties OF the department are per-
formed
The Commission finds that smuggling has been carried
on to great extent by OF passengers baggage;
that present examination is mpcded by want OF proper
accommodation, and recommend the erection OF suit
able building for that purpose the Government land at
the Battery. The Commission makes the following re-
concentrations:
In conclusion, we respectfully recommend already
FstIhat the general practice OF sending package
or ten animation be frequently varied By sending
one or "A smaller number, by scrutiny OF all cases
where the importers their agents have subjected them
SeeoadThaI consuls at foreign ports be reminded
of the Importance the Customs service OF their careful
fulfmen OF existing instructions In relation thereto;
AID think that IL would facilitate per0riulnce OF
the appraisers duties II the Consuls permitted by
the state Department TO correspond dlfecuy Win th
Collectors these topics, furnishing adyices OF cost sn
slmpes without the delay or transmission 10 and from
Third-TIat the divisions Of the Appraisers Depart
meut be organized in the manner we have suggested
with careful regard 10 the fitness Of the appOntees
FoWui-l hat for greater certainty in the matter of
within thirty days after the loading OF goods and before
they pass out or the custody OF Government.
FIffh-That samples OF sugar, sampled the wharf,
should be- arranged and exhibited in the Custom House,
with the precautions alluded TO-
Srfh-Tnat the present system Of cOring sealing
be exchanged 4 more Efficient aud convenient pan.
Serenls-The force may be reduced in the manner
specified
Eighth-That the pay OF messengers be governed by
the e fixed for the Custom House and that the pay OF
examiners be cqusliZed AT the minimum compensation
now allowed by a compensation which We think IN
interest OF the revenue should be increased by Con
gress certain cases.
Nth Thai, the better prevention or losses OF rev
enuc through uudcry auaCOns smuggling, by coliu
SION IN any manner with any officials, the Appraiser
and should be instructed 10 report semian
nually III tue manner We have suggested.
TenhtTnat suitable accommodations would facilitate
the examination OF passengers baggage and that the
duty should be entrusted only 10 officers whose personal
character viii insure its performance with fairness and