New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-04
CUSTOM HOUSE METHODS.

BEGINNING OF THE INVESTIGATION.
FIRST SESSION OF MR.. WOODS COMMITTEE OF IN
QUIRY-sTATEMENTs OF COLLECTOR MERRITT
AND AUDITOR TREICHEL,
The subcommittee of the Congressional
Committee on Ways and Means, appointed to inquire
into the method of collecting customs began Its work
yesterday morning in room in the Naval ONCE OF the
Custom House Fernando Wood Judge Phelps and
General Gibson were the only members present Dur
ing the examination Lawrence Turnure came In Tor
few moments and spoke with Mr.. Wood
jackson g. Schultz and s. b. Eaton, on behalf of the
Chamber of Commerce, asked the Committee II II would
hear delegation from that body and from the Boston
Board of Trade upon certain points deeply anect-
ing the importers, but possibly not within
the scope OF the committees inquiries. These
points Mr. Schultz stated TO be as folows Inc
inconvenience and uselessness Of the many oaths hnu
certificates required of the merchants IN cOnnection
with their dOngs with United states COnsuis III loIesn
ports the difficulties oceasioned by differences between
home valuations and the cost price OF imported articles
the frequent demands for the filing of bonds OF security
Mr. Schultz said that of course the cons9haauotni oI
ton Mr.. Wood replied that the comnlttte "0ulu hSaI
the delegation upon all these points tat SO of
tine revenue. statements In relation 10 tnem c4i 10
week wednesday for The hearing OF the delegation.
Collector Merritt then took his sect az tle wlthesss
end of the table, looking from we'll His examina-
tOn was short In reply 10 the clairman's questions
he mentioned the'Ucal duties OF himself ana lhe suDOI
dinaes in his immediate Office, and described inc pro
cess which merchant must go through before his i'm
pOrtaflons could be delivered the Custom House
authorities. The Naval Office, lie said, made sort OF
review or the work done I'm the Collectors once Dut
never took any original action. The processes OF he
merchants thus had 10 receive the sanction oI Two sets
Of officials. ,
Mr. Wood-Is Il necessary 20 have two sets OF
officials Tor would it be the first set did the work
correctlyl All the business always correctly
done ono set would enough. But the business OF the
Collectors Office accomplished in great haste ana eN-
pelience seems that reviewing blanch is eces-
reached the department at Washington, out theh tle
delay would have been 50 great that IL Would DC ol-
cult TO make right any miSiakCH-Or even Impossible
know of many instances IN which errors have Decu
Tectihed in the Naval Oiice At one time SZoOoOO WIS
saved; at another $4,000. -,
Q.-But why could not the first officials be held
strictly account AWhen the CHIEF oihcal j. np-
ponted for reasons which generally control his
sible for many matters OF detail ~,
O-What changes do YOU think could be made In the
Custom House touching u reduction OF expenses. A.
| have already begun an examination INTO lhh' anu
hone 20 have q report ready IN q few days.
The Collector further said that he would submit n
statement showing the exact duties OF each subordinate
In his Office
mOmed told in what his duties principally consisted
Among other things they included the auditing Of al
and bills the payment OF all expenses, ana the
receipt OF all money not taken by the cashier.
O.-DO You see any reason why there should De Two
persons 10 receive money Alt saves much confusion
small matters.
O-What would be the effect OF making tenure Of Of
flee depeud upon efficiency aud good behavior A
The effect would be miraculous. Tue men often become
nervous when changes talked Of or are possible,
that hardly work. although some OF them have
been here for years II the clerks sure of their
places the work could be done by many less than
necessary.
The Auditor also promised detailed statement OF the
duties OF each of his subOrdnajes The committee then
adjourned, 70 meet this morning at il o'clock.