The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-09-03
CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION.

PRELIMINARY MEETING OF THE sUB-coMMIT-
TEE OF WAYS AND MEANS.
The sup-com mittee Of the Ways and Means Commit
tee Of Congress- appointed by resolution passed June
II to meet In New York on the nrst MON
day in September for the purpose Of examia-
ing into the customs at this port and TO rec
ommend measures for the correction OF errors IL any
BIO discovered and also such other rscomme atoms
In the machinery OF collecting the revenue as might
occur to them, assembled at tho Custom House. room
20, Yesterday afternoon. Three members OF the COM
mittce we're present-Fernando Wood, OF New York
General Randall Gibson OF louisiana. and General "
p Banks. Of Massachusetts, The other members Of
tho committee not present are General Garfield, Of
Ohio; Judge Phelps, Of Connecticut; J. Randolph
Tucker, OF Virginia. and Henry B. Harris OF Georgia.
PURPOSE OF ISvEs rGArIox.
Mr. Fernando Wood, chairman, called tho meeting
to order and explained its purposes. Ho
clusion had boon reached 10 whether meet
nss OF the committee would be held with open doors
or nol. Then General Banks moved that, until 9TH
erwise orderei. the proceedings be public,
which was agreed 10. 1t was arranged to begin tho
taking OF Testimony at eleven A. NJ. to-day. Mr.
Wood said that he did anticipate that work OF
the committee would BIO Of any great interest the
public. Suggestions would be received from members
Of the Chamber OF Commerce aud the cials OF the
Custom House. Tho investigation VIII 70 iurthor
significance, and will be devoid OF The
main and Immediate object Is 10 study the workings
and the relations Of the different parts OF tho
cry OF the Custom House. ant sec II u be possible
TO simplify and IT, Mr.. Wood suDnite ed the
following letter from Secretary Sherman
AN IMPORTANT INQUIRY.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT., July 81, 1873
Hon. FERNANDO WOOD, Chairman Committee Ways and
Means. House OF epresentatives:
sImI havs the honor 10 acknowledge the receipt
ub-cotnrnittec will in New York the Monday
in September next tor the of examining
nd
In complying with your request to direct the
New York to furnish the subcom neces
sary facilities for the performance OF its cntie beg leave
to add that regard this inquiry to tho
pubic service that hope able personally to attend
ut time during the meeting of commit ec
with view to promote, In possible way, the
petons Of the proposed will be glad t. fur
nisi the committee Of
this department in aid OF its object Very respeeuy
yours. JOHN SHERMAN.
MR.. WOODS LETTER
The Chairman also submitted the following as ex-
planat0ry OF the commlttce's Objects
NEW YORK, August 10, 1878.
Hon. E. A. MERRIrT, Collector:
SRln compliance with request enclose copy Of
Means VI tho House OF represent authorizing
committee make certain inquiries
tanning to collection district. also enclose copy
letter OF the Secretary OF the Treasury relating
subject Tho OF tho inquiry will
ali such matters the resolution will authorize
precise points investigation will relate to the
OF mcrch andise, the method payment dutics
the examination OF invoices and OF the valuation
prasemens the adopted for refunds the
divisions aud placing the whole machinery
head to secure more efficiency loss complication and
less cost Of collection We shall BIO glad receive
gestens or information these points which may be
within power to afford Very respectfully yours
The committee immediately adjourned TIL to-day