New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-23
THE COLLECTION OF Duties.
ppvrNrF rNoU,RIEs AND CHANGES.
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE TREASURY COMMISSION

| TESTIMONY BEFORE THE TREASURY COMMISSION
| OTHER CUSTOM HOUSE TOPICS.
The Treasury Commission yesterday investi-
gated alleged Irregularities in the mportations ana eH'
portations or Among tho merchants VINO gave
testimony were Robert Hewitt IT,. OF J. NJ Cebailos
IN. Lawson n Fuller, Of Albania Fuller; John
| Humphreys OF L. ID. Morgan Co.. and William A
| Booth of Booth & EIsur. The witnesses were re-
auestod TO remain silent to the matters upon which
they hal testified and the suggestions made.
The present system Of discussed by one wit
ness wac claimed that the trade wanted uniform system
adopted by instead OF the present sys-
TEN Of quida.ug actual invoice tarc, at the dis
crciun OF the Surveyor lie stated that the loss by the
differences always fell the importer the allowance OF
ny all contracts being made to the seller This Wit
exhibited polarisoope, containing solution OF
sugar taken from recent importation showing vara-
ton in the test of several degrees on the same sample
He main tanned that tho polariscOpe untrusworthy
and would fail tn prevent frauds. In proof OF tins
he submitted record OF several tests made by chemist
on various cargoes of Cuban in nearly oil OF
which there an equally wide variation He believed
that the present Duch standard should he made avail
able, by fixing the duty all sugars up to lG at two
cents pound, and above that az tcur cents a pounu
This would close all avenues OF fraud ana prevent the
Introduction of low grade of artcally cOOred Dema
sugars To oTado the revenue He assured the COM
mission that the merchants were DESTROYS oil
aiding the Government in maintaining honest
collection OF the revenue, and asked from the Govern
ment, in return, such safeguards rs would prevent liz
jury 10 the trade by interruptions men.
Another took up the subject of drawbacks on
refined for expectation, and suggested that the
present system OF sampng at the rcfinereS should be
changed lie said that after the refined sugars were
sampled the Government had further supervision OF
the Cxportaons leaving an opportunity for dis
posed to be dishonest to ship straw, stones on low
grade OF sugar, aud receive from tho Govern
ment, on the samples only, heavy drawbacks
Instances cited where draw backs were obtained on
explorations OF crushed sugar when IN I2ct, low
grade of yellow sugar was exported, aud where ID
large shipment OF supposed standard sugar t9e 9Sl
reiS found to be hlled with straw ana dlr Inc
witness did claim that this general practice,
but mentioned these instances TO show the necessity OF
greater precautlon on the part OF the Government
was stated that the refining business Tor some
time had been carried on AT loss where TIE business
conducted honestly, and some OF the oldest houses
had been forced INTO liquidation Oher establishments
it was said making Jney, and this II was claimed
they could only do by resorns To practices NOT sane
The commission to-day will return to the consdera
ton of the complaints OF underVanationS al tnia port
TIE KID GLOVE APPRAIsALs.
General Appraiser Kechnm has sent Ia the report 10
Collector Arthur. OF his reapprasemcnt OF many con-
sgnmcuts lud gloves. II is long document contain
ing over 500 pages of testimony In summing mp he a
praises the value att little above the estimate OF the
Merchant Appraiser. and much below the val
fixed bY Appraiser butcher. Collector Arihur mas
the report under consideration, aui wiz r1huofr
n prompt decision He must approve the estimate Of
the Merchant Appraiser the General Appraiser, and
yesterday had NOT determined which he would adopt
After :ull examination, he recommended 10 Tue SGCFc
tary OF the Treasury that IL would be proper TO allow
the merchants TO make special deposit OF The differ
ences the two appraiscnents and release tho
consgnments. Yesterday response Was received nom
course TAKEN though not strictly IN accordance
with the law governing where the difference ia APP
praspmcnts between the invoice and local appTIls-
ments excess Of 10 per cent. Collector Arthur
informed the merchants OF this action aud several OF
the c0usigmcnts were released yesterday on these
terms Should the Collector adopt the valuation Oi the
Merchant Appraiser, these special deposits wiz be re-
turned an III other event. the Ference IN vlui-
ton will be deducted, and the balances returned
CUSTOM HOUSE CHANGES.
The special committee appointed 10 report on the pro-
posed change in the Custom House entry system has
made report Collector Arthur. which has been for
warded Secretary sherman, aud 1t Il expected that
the new regulations Will 20 into effect in a few
DAYS. Under the Arrangement, merchants.
on filing a general bond and swearing 10 their
invoices. Will have them examined and passed
upon by the Custom House entry clerks and Will have
no trouble at present, in following them up when
the duties are assessed merchants will receive ndce
and on payment OF duties their invoices Will be at their
DISMISSAL, without the aid OF brokers.
Appraiser Butcher has been instructed TO submit 10
the OPENERS aud packers in the Appraisers Department
a proposition consent TO reduction Of the force
reduction In pay 10 work by contract or per
hour The present. force of openers and packers IA
ninety men at So per day, aud the Intention
OF the Government to lessen the EXPENSES OF tins
branch of public service. 1t Is believed that the
contract system Will finally DC adopted, as III tho
weighers' department.