The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-04
REFORM THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
An Emort 90 Reduce the Coat Of Coiiectins the
Governments Revenues

Tho Subcommittee OF the Committee Of
WAYS and Means Of the House Of Representa-
tjycs Amounted TO inquire into tho practical
management Of the Custom House met yestcr-
day in the Naval Onco. The Hon Fernando
Wood tho Chairman Gen Randall Gibson Of
Louisiana and Judge Phelps Of Connecticut
were there. The members Of the committee
who were absent were Gen. Banks of Messachu-
sctts. J. Randolph Tucker Of Virginia Gen
Garfield Of Ohio. and Henry II. Harris Of Geor-
gia The points Of inquiry arc the practical
entry Of merchandise. tho method Of payment
OF duties. the examination Of invoices and OF
tho valuations in appraiscments. the system
adopted for refunds. the bonding system tho
practicability OF consolidating machinery un-
der ono head 30 as to secure moro efficiency
less complication. and less cost OF collection
As a revenue expert expresses II. the Commit
too want to find out what changes are needed in
Alexander iiamilton's revenue laws OF l799 to
sui %os2 sabS 1o VINO %ss bs frat
speak before the Committee, said that one Of
the annoyances which merchants suffered IL
ting their goods through the Custom House,
the certificates demanded. and the requiring Qf
bonds when the merchant Is without the ccrtifl-
Gates, He did not regard these forms as safe
guards against fraud. He thought that two
thirds. OF the so-cal,ed frepds on the revenue
arose from the complicated tariff system. which
made 1t impossible TO determine the actual cost
price Of Imported articles Ho favored the abo-
lition Of damage allowances. believing that this
would shut of great amount Of fraud on the
Government and on the honest competing i'm
porter. He said that the Custom House had n
great many more bureaus than there was any
need for He compared them IT, barnacles
ON ship, that ought TO bc scrapcd on.
Collector Merritt gave tho Committee list ot
the employees under him. numbering about 900
persons. He said that the Naval ONCE acted as
check upon errors committed In tho Col
lrctors ofllcc. but he was not rcaly to say
whether il was advisable TO consolidate both
departments. Tho Collector expressed a will
ingnoss to assist ihe. Committee In reducing
In the Auditors division there are eighty
clerks employed undor Col. Trcichcl. the Aud
do He thought that II employees felt that they
wore to hold their Offices for life. or during
good behavior there would DO better civil
Can the Custom House be consolidated or
abolished cntircly2 Is a question that will prob
ably present itself to the Committee hofore II Is
through with It's investigation. Mr.. Wood says
that ho desires TO find out whether three oi the
great divisions Of the Custom House tho Col
lcctor's Office. the Naval ONCE. and the Sur
veyor's Office which are now separate and in
many Respects independent Of each other. can
not be established under one head, and the eN-
pens" to the tQLcrnmrnt greatly lrssened. II
this Is not onsihle. he will learn whether the COL
lector'@and Naval Officers offices which havcthe
same duties o. perform, cannot be merged in
9,ne deEarmien' The Ch9Hoer OF CommeTEce
| body who for years hnve made q special study
| OF the workings Of the Custom House and OF the
tariff system think that all three branches the
| Collectors. Surveyors. and Naval Officers
| onices-can be entirely wiped out without detri.
ment TO the revenue service. and that such Of
their work US il absolutely necessary relegated
| e. tho Appraisers office. They would have the
| Government own its own warehouses and
wharyes. and take possession Of all imported
| morchand 50 arriving here. the Government 10
| hold the goods not more than fifteen days. and
| then release Thorn Internationally on the pny-
ment OF the duties. This plan must dispense
employed under tho Collector, Surveyor, and
the Naval Onlcer. and make the Appraiser the
chief officer OF customs.