The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-02
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

MR. WOOD CONTINUES HIS ExAMINATIoN-
A FALLING OFF IN the IMPORTATION OF
Observation-Disclosures OF ATTACHES.
Tho Congressional Com mittee appointed investi-
gate tho working OF the Now York Custom House
sumcd It's iabors yesterday, Mr.. Fernando Wood, ms
usual, conducting tho examination. Mr.. Robbins, OF
tho Chamber oil Commerce, was the FIRST witness. Ac-
cording to the views oil this gentleman the Naval
Olcc a supernuous appendage to the revenue ser
vice and should be abolished. Ho discussed the quee-
ton OF taxation real and claimed II certain
measures could DO introduced tending 10 tighten tho
present burdens real estate tho present dsanccon
among the aboring classes would pass away and tho
greenback heresy would have no followers
James T. Hall, Assistant Appraiser, was tho next
witness. His department embraces hardware, cut
lcry minerals lin tho ore ana manufacuredl saddles
and buttons. The witness claimed that the exam
liners wore fully competent The market value Of
goods regulated their price NJ the place OF con
Segment. Imports in ms department nave lately
failen OIL The failing OF IN the importation OF cut
ery he ascrbed to the increase ana excellence OF tho
manufacture In this country. Az present u is fifteen
per cent cheaper IN this country than IN Ensiaud
Mr. Hail thought that ali examiners and appraisers
should have practical experience Ia tho valuation Of
goods before being appointed
William s. Hediey, Assistant Appraiser OF the
Seventh division, embracing drugs, medicines. surg-
cal INSTRUMENTS and chemicals was formerly IN The
drug business. Hc testified that there arc several
Kinds of opium imported, all vi which must contain
at least nine per cent oil pure morphne an analytical
chemist 10 attached to the department. MIR. Hcdlcy
SAID that could not remember having passed twch-
tyIwo packages oil rhubarb last January without OK
aiming IL; there were some instances Ia which a
duly vinegar Of only ten cents a gallon was ex-
acted, where the should have been higher, tho
having lated 10 apply tue legal test thoy
were removed when tho matter was investigated but
he could not say whether they we're discharged IRON
the Custom House; he regarded the present exam.
iners honest and competent; no believed that VI
specific duties were Imposed complications would
and there would be Tess chance Tor fraud
Mr. Hoalcy was followed by Deputy Collector
Samuel II. Batchiord, chief oil the Eighth aivision,
who charge OF all tue pubic stores where appras-
ing 10 done. He has scvcutysix subordinatcs there
has reduction IN the force since the Jay Com
mission, with the exception oil eight wMchinen, ac-
cording to the recommendation vi the CON-
mission: this division required at least twenty
wutchmsn; there are never less than seven
on guard at night; cordase, seals ana boxes
are sold monthly aud realize an average Of &70;
samples sold AT public auction; openers and
packers are appointed by the appraisers, but con-
tractor supplies laborers. witness considered the
present location OF public stores good one; he
had no sug gestions TO oiier as 10 improving the
efficiency OF MS department, from January TO August
OF the present year inclusive the number oil packages
received at the pubic stores was l24 227 the sumDcr
oil packages delivered during tho same period was
ia 49,; making the total number handled 2ls $50,
daiiy average OF 1,2l2.
The committee adjourned til tomorrow morning.