The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-09
CUSTOM HOUSE INVESTIGATION.

VARIOUS HEADS OF DIVISIONS TEsTIPY-How
THE FORCE NAY BE REDUcED-THE CoMPLI-
CATION OF THE TARIFF-rEEs TO CLERKS
UNIFORMS FOR INSPECTORS.
The inquiry into the system Of collecting the duties
at this port continues The commission met again
yesterday IN the Naval Office with Mr. Jay presiding
Collector Arthur appeared before the commission as
soon they convened In relation 10 statement which
appeared in one Of yesterdays newspapers alleging
that q letter signed by had been received by
them, In which Wholesale charges OF corruption
made against heads OF departments in the cu.tom
House. The commissioners said that there no
truth in the statement and that no such letter had
been received
THE WORK OF THE DEPUTY COLLECTORS.
John j. Osborn. deputy collector OF tho Third al
vision, being sworn, suggested that the chiefs OF
divisions should be empowered to make such disposi
ton OF their forces tncy thought proper the hours
OF labor would DO increased by consolidating the Tenth
division with the Third; In that event ho might
with seven less clerks
Mr. Wynkoop, deputy collector Of the Fourth dvi-
sion, next sworn, and testified that keeps all
the records Of inspection by ndexng copies OF regis
ters; has q few inspectors detailed to his division,
who follow steamboats, up the river to that they
have licensees all tho men OF his division personally
known to him; the present force is all that could
be desired; the bad men have been welded out;
decrease OF force, even If the hours
Mr.. wynkoop then explained the entire working
OF his Office; witness knew nothing about tho
fees, except the hospital moneys paid Tor sailors,
OF which an account IS kept IN his bureau;
even II tho cashier should MAKE return II would
prove no check on him mas had occasion TO recon-
mend the removal oil particular man, who OBJ
structing merchant In his business witness
concentration The Collector immediately made out the
dismissal oil this obnoxious oical the record clerk
vessels was also removed on Opponents complaint;
no man discharged from his DIVISION has 10 his knowl-
edge, boon transferred TO another Bureau all the pro-
rflfan hau hu
ing the efficient clerks oil MINOR grades had no knowl
edge OF any extra fees being paid TO clerks oy
merchants although some years ago such tnngs wero
mootcd; for three years deponcnt has been deputy
collector; has frequently transposcd the clerks from
desk 10 another, thus breaking up any combina-
ton that light DO formed among tho force. Tho wit
ness then described the system VI night permits
BAGGAGE TIPS" AND oArHs.
Deputy Collector William A. Morris next called
and examined He testified that he has been chief OF
the Filth division for TOUR years past; IN his depart
ment the entry of merchandise liquidation and ap-
prasemcnt is attended to, and this is really the
i'm portant bureau OF the Custom House; there are
sixty-one clerks employed IN that DIVISION one Of
whom is an entry clerk detailed to receive duties on
baggage NJ the docks arriving In the possession OF
steamer passengers; did not know OF clerks receiving
any gratuties did not know why brokers should pay
any fees outside OF those required by law; the Col
iector the Special Deputy Collector assign certain
rotate the deputies on such duty II would be impos
sible TO got along with smaller number OF clerks IN
tins DIVISION nearly AL the clerks are there now that
were in Office when tho deponent took his position
promotions are made tor merit and efficiency.
BY Mr.. Jay-Accordng to the English practice
declarations might DO taken instead OF OATH but he
would hardly say that no does not believe that the
sacredncss Of oath Is much respected he gave no
crodence to any reports that illegal fees are exaced
by any Of his clerks.
CORRESPONDENTS WITH SECRETARY SHERMAN.
At this point Mr.. Jay received telegram from SEQ
rotary Sherman in which no assented TO a request On
the part OF the commission made by telegraph yes
terday morning that the department order OF The 9Th
inst. relating to steamships be suspended until he
commission could submit Tor confederation at Wash.
ington suggestion IN regard to the third article,
aud the manner OF the payment II Is Understood
that the suggestions OF the commission would be sub
united last night by letter. and that they will be IN
cord with tho views expressed by the
OF tho steamship companies and for tho more eicout
avoidance in The future OF all irregular PRACTICES In
this matter.
OPINION OF OFFICIAL
Colonel William H. Mcmahon. chief clerk OF the
Filth DIVISION testified had been the Gus
toms service for thrtytwo years; he gave detailed
statement OF the work performed IN his division and
the duties performed by the various clerks IN his
opinion the importer should be allowed TO make his
affidavit ut his storo and not DO put TO the nconven-
fence OF running TO tho Custom House to swear to
every petty entry the clerks Of his department
very Efficient and II the hours OF work increased
slight reduction might be made
Mr. Robinson raised the question whether "frce per-
mts ever granted 10 congressman or other pubic
officials 2" Colonel Mcmahon had no knowledge Of
such fact but volunteered the statement casting his
eyes on Mr.. Jay, awe don't look as closely ut tho
baggage OF foreign Minister US would DO done the
effects OF parties who are suspected of smuggng' -
| whenever o demand was made on the Collector Ior
complication OF the tariff; II better pay given TO
the employees II political pressure had no effect upon
appointments and II the tari modified, tho
might DO reduced about twenty per cent; tho payment
OF Ices should be abolisned-t IS one the
chant IL takes much tmo TO collect twenty cents
1t docs SO 900; system OF stamps IN payment oil
these tees would operate vury WELL lie thought IL
would BIO very good idea to uniform inspectors while
Oh duty.
The witness deprecated the fact that for
goods had TO undergo the same routine as that Tor all
dutiablc merchandise. He had board OF fifteen cents
being PAID TO entry clerks Tor passing entries; does
not know II tact; IT Is common rumor
the broker acts for ten or twelve and sometimes
as many twenty merchants, each ono oil whom
would have 10 keep clerk standing on the line; II,
however, such thing gratuties really existed
would be great complaints made by importers who do
not employ brokers that their invoices not passed
such complaints have been made TO his knowledge
brokers must employed as long as tho present
picated tariff exists until the merchant becomes
expert
SIR Benjamin Y. Wyman, deputy collector OF tho
Sixth DIVISION next put on the stand, and inter
rogalcd as regards the duties OF his division. The
commission then adjourned
NO MORE RUMSELLERS.