New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-22
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

ALOOK AT THE APPRAISERS DEPARTMENT.
THE TREASURY COMMISSION WATCHING THE WORK
OF APPRAIsING GOODS.
The members of the Treasury Commission
yesterday visited the public stores at Washington anu
Laightsis., where they met Appraiser Du'chol anu
through all the departments OF this Oraneh OF to
Custom House. All the members OF inc cohii'rsion
were present except Special Agent Hinds III each vi
the many divisions of the Appraisers department. rep
esentp the imporatous OF class OF goods every
source o. information placed at their disposal Coh
siderable inquiry made regarding the handing OF
silks linens and laces and the commissioners watched
with nteres, the inspection OF many cases In various
divisions and the apprasement that followed In INC
cigar division Mr.. Drown, of PHILADELPHIA asked many
questions regarding the of averaging the wegh's
of imported cigars, remarkiDg that it was claheo III
Philadelphia that the difference in weights IN the TWO
cities was great that the merchants OF the one 'o"
not compete with those Of the other Ihe manner u,
averaging these weights fully shown, ana Verneo
upon an invoice of goods already passed MI Drown
commended its fairness II still little doubtful
Ind his hat weighed, for the purpose or MAKING con
parison of the upon his return to Phhadeip"'
Inouries were made each Of the divisions WIN re-
card 10 the damage allowances. No evidence was op
tanned TO support the complaints made that there au
heen excessive damage allowances in this city consid
cradle time was spent in the drug H.
ouiries particularly in regard to THIS suoJec anu n
the commissioners passed TO the damage dvlsOh Ihy
were coseied there hour, ana tEe system o
apprasement for damage allowances was fully explained
Books md papers and statistical reports covering
period OF ten years thrown open TO theln ana
aterward in the Appraisers private Office further iac
ties were given them to obtain information IN cOhhec
tion with this matter The members Of the commission
Remained in the building three four hours ana ron
The remarks made appeared to he agreeaDy suiprscu
st Tho result of them Inquiries. With regard 70 damage
silowances IL was shown that III 1877 these OhIF
Amounted 10 about S2I5,000 or about 0ue-iweHth or
ner cent of the total impOrtatiOns which were nearly
$500 100000 This percentage. IL was claimed couIu
moi affect in any the trade OF western Hefchahis
m was stated by the customs officers that great care
was taken in making these allowances ana mat al 10
fine had there been such pressure OF business as 10
cause any lack in estimating damage allowances
The members OF the commission tO-mOrr0W-haVlhB
adiourned 10 that day-wl investigate the alleged lrfS
nsrites in the impOTiatOns and explorations OF sugar
and among the merchants invited TO be present ana ts
tifv are Paul Brooks, OF Brooks Co..; ROBERT heWtl
ir of J. NJ CeballOs Co.. Lawson N Fuller, OF Aiudna
a Fuer: SOlou Humphreys, of L. ID. Morgan Co., ah9
William A. Booth, OF Booth & Edgar. 10 Is unuersIoOu
that these gentlemen will be requested To give their
opinion on the best plan check existing abuses anu 10
furnish 10 the commission all the evidence III theI pos
session of violations OF the law improper explorations
and excessive drawbacks. All. 1000 non
In connection with the question OF duties more par
tcuary in regard to mpOrtaOns or SILKS several et-
tiers have received by the commission from Wiz
nesses previously examined, IN Whlcn they huNo0"'o
specific rather than al Yalorem duties