The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-24
CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.
SERIOUS COMPLAINTS MADE AGAINST WEIGH.
Ens-ABusEs IN THE APPRAISERS DAMAGE

SERIOUS COMPLAINTS MADE AGAINST WEIGH
ERs-ABusEs IN THE APPRAISERS DAMAGE
DIVISION.
Alter the secret session OF the Investigating Com
mit,ee yesterday George W. Blake, city weigher,
complained that his work greatly INSTRUCTED by the
United states weighcrs who compel HIM by petty an
noyances use the laborers employed by them fol
the city Weighing He Ia sometimes kept three -four
days from touching tho goods until he complies with
the cxactions thus imposed. When the government
laborers are he compelled TO pay tho wsgners'
.schedule'' prccs Witness cited a happening 10
Jersey City where the wcshers foreman thus annoyed
him.
CLEAR STATEMENT ABOUT INSPECTORS
Colonel Edwin =. Burton, Deputy urvcyor in charge
OF tho inspectors detailed for the examination OF pas
sengers' baggage testified that up to 1873 the
inaton Of emigrants' luggage came under his super.
vision; then this is conducted by separate de-
par.ment witness has been eight years In the govern
SERVICE has heard Of abuses existing; for in.
stance, such receiving ''nouso moncy''-i e.. 70
allow goods 10 remain the dock without sending
them to general order warshouses he has always been
opposed 10 such practice taxing the body OF inspcct
ors as a whole they are as capable mon as can DO
found anywhere; there great many
detects tho system which could DO rene-
died by having all the baggage examined IN one
place; dcponent has no say 10 OBTAINING officers; this
Is done by General sharpe at the Barge uIicc, aud
after being sent 10 him be assgns them to their du
shores, and, matter oil courtesy, his baggage
is allowed TO go through without examination. mr.
Jay remarked that this was no moro than proper
International etiquette.)
Occasionally he receives notice from the Col
lcclor, Surveyor or Naval Ofnccr TO facilitate
passengers on landing; III sucn cases depOnent
usually examines the baggage hmseli to cut down tho
force At Barge Office would 90 unwise proceed
ing on the part OF the government al least in hi
opIuion, because to-day the inspectors may not b,
busy account Of steamers being delayed, while to
morrow whole leet OF vessels may arrive and engag,
o
Mr.. Turnuro asked Colonel Burton what was hi
idea about unormng inspectors; would y not add
TO the appearance and responsibility OF the menY
COonei Burton-lf you want my OPINION wiE
give you plsn do not think tho idea good onei
and hardy think that passengers would pay more
respect 10 brass buttons tnan plain American clothes
IL is common practice Tor passengers 10 oncr money
TO inspectors 10 pass their baggage but none OF these
persons will over swear TO u.
MORE ABUSES IN rHs ArrRAisER's DEPARTMENT
MIR. JOSIAH Rich, exoiiic al OF the Appraisers Do
partmcnt testified 10 gross abuses existing. and openly
charged COLLISION in the APPRAISERS Department dam.
age division. These no SAID he knew Of bis own OK.
perencc have been IN vogue on tho apprasemcnt Of
frut. AS ho gave incts and dates the Commission
deem his testimony OF great Importance
DIRECT cnARas MADE BY AN IMPORTER
Mr. +. III. Marah, Of Gantz Jones Co., No. 116
Duane street, who wrote com lcaton 20 the com.
MISSION, appeared before them yesterday and verified
his statement In the allegations Marsh says, alter
Producing the subject OF weighcrs abuses:-"We have
had Of complaint with other United States
wcighers, bit have always been treated gentlemen
by Inem, and why should be treated IN this way
clerk approached by Mr.. ComstOck ana asked why
lie did take from him copy OF their weights On
the l4th of May, 1877, received invoice OF LOG
cases camphor, per steamer Canada, from London,
which was discharged pier 80 North River. Oui
trucks were sent In the evening Tor loads OF The same
The next day scvcnty-one had TO DO returned,
which caused considerable expense aud all this
through the carclessncss OF the weghers In not hav
ing weighed the goods and notifying the carmen Of
such fact"
The writer thinks that ut least my per cont Of the
weighable goods arriving by White Star steamers are
allowed 70 DO from the wharf without passing
through the United States scale Caustic soda sol.
dom II weighed but the weights are taken OF by
the United States weighcr