The New York herald., 1878-09-24
CUSTOM HOUSE COMMITTEE.

MR.. FERNANDO WOOD INQUIRIES INFO THE
WORKING OF THE AppRAIslRs' DLPAnT.
MENT--EFFKor OF THH REPEAL OF quE
MoIETY LAW.
A session OF the commttce appointed for the nves.
tigation OF the House held yesterday IN
the Naval ONCE. AS at sOmo former sessions Mr..
Wood the only member Of tho committee pres
ent The only witness examined was Mr. Silas B.
butcher, the Government Appraiser. who was 70.
called he said that the Office OF ap-
pralser was created In tho year 1866
by special enactment, and that he received
his appointment in March, 1877; previously ho had
been an importer OF hops for twelve years. In do
scrbng the duties OF his occ tho witness said that
Il was the Appraisers duty TO report the value
OF all Imported dutiabe cargoes TO the Collector
was, OF course impossible Tor tho Appraiser TO per-
sonaly examine all Roods for this duty there were
large number OF assistant appraisers and IL was on
their returns ana calculations that the Appraiser
acted; the appraiscment was marked the buck OF
tho invoice and the witness approved their decision
piece goods were sometimes measured, but al
ways; there was neither time space Tor the
measurement OF all goods; there were i'm poricrs
whose goods wero passed without examination or
measurement; ono SAMPLE OF u invoice taken,
and II tnat iound TO be correct u generally
Conceded that tho whole uvoice correct; consus
cerncatss arc rarely o any value. and DOT much
regarded by examiners, except where u Ia made q
matter OF direct correspondence
q state, II you please, what effect 10 produced In
the department to invoices that also In value
A. We may detain the goods until We have asccr-
tainsd the value or take several other mothoas.
Y Tuen that gives great discretion, ana in tho
hands oi bad officers could 10 usod very prejudicay
10 the governm.nlf A. Yes, IL could
q How IL II that respectable American merchants
1nd u more pronIable 10 buy irom agents here
to import goods themselves. aud Is It not iact that
several OF these merchants have ceased to be I'M
portcrsY A l think there may be "a variety Of
reasons for that During the period wnsn the prices
of merchandise are declining. they have been
during the last i've years. there has been copsider.
able pressure upon the importer to buy In this
market rather .nan wnere the article Is produced.
linen the consideration that under such circumstances
1t would take timc to import those ARTICLES
price might advance, has had great influence Then,
think that there ~ general tendency to cominis-
sion business throughout the world. The New Eng
land manufacturers have agencies, ana think tnat
dealers can 80 TO those agencies and buy cheaper
than they can from the manufacturer
CONGRATULATIONS AND MofErfKs.
U Have you any doubt that great many OF tho
mportaions into New York have been entered ut an
undervaiuationf A. DO not think tnero have becn
Q. Have you over advised any prosccut,onsS A.
Yes, sir; have.
Y How nanyS A. cannot say how many
u Have tncre been greater frauds since tho repeal
oil the Mo'ety iawf A. thnk IL Is NOT UNLIKELY tnat
O Ii SO, then tha, s criticism on your otnuo. A.
was not Appraiser wncn tho Moiety law was 10 cx-
istence. Tnat law was repealed four and half years
ago; have been an appraiser only q hall.
thnk frauds have ueereased since was spprais,r.
think II Is very natural 10 conclude that uiey
croa5cs the diligence AMI zeal ol government officer.
In saying that recr dotec the eitIzen
who may have special knowledge OF an undcrvalua-
ton. think that the officers OF the government do
thcr duty Just ns vgilan before repeal the
law. 40 not tbink that tie officers OF the govern.
msnt should nave any share In mo,etcs. They never
had, directly or indirectly, as am aware
u Dont you think that u the present tariff law
tinues sone changes ought TO be made In the exscu-
tive departments or the custoIusf A. 4 think some
changes might be eadvapageously made n the present
tarin continues think tDe government should have
the power to take INTO It's possession all goods That
were dutabie until tho dutos to DO pau .ro asccr-
tanned.
q Don't you thiuk 1t would be better TO have one
head vi the customs, who should take all tho rcspon-
sibiiity A. Without any cheeky
u Except tho che OK Of the Mt al Washing
toD. A. think not IL tho duties we're specific IL
would groatly simplify the matter, bu. even then 1
think there suoulu be check
q DO you think the Naval once should be re-
taineaY A. As at present advised aud wish my i'm
perfect knowledge OF It's busne do not think 10 Is
oi sufficient importance TO justify It's detention.
Alter u lew more formal questions tho witness was
excused from further attcndancs the nquiry WAS
adjourned until this morning at eleven O'Clock.