The New York herald., 1878-09-25
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

MORE ILLUSTRATIONS or CIVIL SERVICE me-
F1IM-oYrIcEEs WITHOUT TRAINING.
Mr.. Fornanoo Wood, us committee of ono. con.
tinued yesterday morning his investigation OF the
Custom House manngenc ont, but only for q short
tlmc and examined but two witnesses, Mr. James l.
Howard, Assistant Appraiser OF the First division,
and Mr.. Albert Gilbert, Assistant Appraiser Of tho
Second division. Most OF their testimony was OF q
technical character, which would be but little undor.
stood by the general public, and was mainly given to
afford Mr.. Wood an insight into the minute rou tino
workings Of The complicated machinery OF the Custom
House Both Witnesses set iorth their respective
dutics with great fuincss Of detail
MI. Howard explained Inc maniiold operations OF
tho First aivison; the estimating OF the percentage
ON damaged goods; the examining aud appruising of
baggage (which particular task was conndcd TO ten
examiners, and, upon the smultnncoas arrival OF scv
cral European steamers, also TO extra msul and
examination of sampler Nr howard explained that
samples we're often iounl TO contain articles OF
cnsndiso that were not sampies nj all, ana in such
cases the payment o! duty was cxnctcd.
Mr.. Wood wanted 10 know more about the precise
s,ks, watches and such other wa:os. requiring spo-
clni technical knowledge, were submitted TO thom.
Mr. Howard said that in some oases, when the APP
praser dad not dare 10 trust 10 his own judgment,
outside experts would be called In.
AUTHOR ''LrFg or GENERAL HAYEs"
Nr. ood now began little inquiry 10 lhs an te-
cedents aud fitness ot the witness himself. ho qucs
toned hm as to his length OF service, and II turncd
out tnat MIR. Howard had been altogethcr year tho
Custom House. He said he had never been aged
In any Commercial business Mr. Wood anxious
TO hpuw wbat Mr. Howard,s precise oual aoatio Tor
his office was and IN ropy TO his further questions,
the witness SAID he was Journalist by profession ana
was the ausnor OF "LIic OF General Hayes" (icrc
some OF The bystanders smilod Before entering tho
Custom Houso IN the service OF reform Mr.. Howard
had been connection with some morning pspcrs; he
was n native OF tho STATE Of Uhio.
Hero Mr. Wood smiled and then began " put few
odd questions ike this-
Mr. Wood-You viii excuse this question, Mr.. how
ARD; did you not when you nrst came to this city. Of
which you say you have tccn resident Tor three
ysars, apply Tor position In the New York Post
once?
AIR. Howard-No, sir. l did not
Mr Wood wantea ~ know how aud where the wit
ncss had obtained hts knowledge OF mercantile
daties aud Mr. Howard replied as consul ~ ST. John,
". B. Mr. Wood asked him II he thought he knew the
differences fabric OF cotton and one OF linen,
ANA the witness erained no doubt whatever thai
no knew the difference. (At this there were
sn.iios among the oystaniers.j
Mr. Wood nov questioned him about the knowl-
edgo Of their duties possessed by the examiners under
him, and Mr.. Howard assured him that although they
had received training Tor their positions they
all competent oficors.
QUESTION TO rHR POINT
Mr.. Wood-Do you think that who has been
making shoes all ms lilo Is competent to stop into tho
Appraisers Department as an examiner OF siiks2
MIR. Howard-I THINK that in two months timo alter
entering the department he would be lit 10 examine
Mr Howard was of the opinion that tho knowledge
uirsd by the oiccr while Ia The department wsuid
be suitcient " carry the man through
Mr.. Howard wound up by recommending that the
eystsm OF petty lees, so annoying 10 merchants DO
broken up.
Mr.. Albert Fnbert gave an account Of the various
departments Ia which jewels, sugar, leather, lumber
anu toys wore appraised. The charge of those
partmsnts were all thoroughly aDlo and experienced
officers. Mr.. Wood put TO tho wtness many questions
tho precise qualifications Tor IN expert appraiser
ma Mr.. Fbcrt admitted that certain were
Appraisers Department who ought not to be there
Hoa was unwilling to oncr my suggestions looking 20
tue Improvement vi the service or tue expedition oil
business uDtn no should have carefully considered the
subject beforehand.
sr Wood then postponed the further investi CATION
until this morning. -