New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-05
Mr.. WOODS SOLITARY INVESTIGATION.

LEFT ALONE BY HIS COLLEAGUES TO STRUGGLE
WITH THE CUSTOM HOUSE INQUIRY.
Fernando Wood was yesterday both chair
man and sos representative OF the subcommittee OF the
Ways and Means Committee engaged IN the new Custom
House investigation. After waiting short time in vain
for his colleagues he listened TO the testimony Of James
Hoffman, the Cashier Of the Custom House. His dutieS
included the collection OF fees the entry and clear
ance Of vessels and minor fees dOoumCns proceeds
Of sales Of unclaimed good fines and forieuGes also
came TO him through the Auditor. There from
10 three checks on all papers coming into his hands,
which guided him the amount Of duties TO be
ceiyed While the Auditor collected certain moneys
which the Cashiers department might collect trans
fer OF the Auditors duties would make II necessary 10
employ greater I'm tho Cashiers office, and moth
ing would be saved 10 tho Government. The Cashiers
closed daily, while those Of the Auditors
Office frequently kept several days time
He did know definitely, but thought that many
camille houses kept two classes OF oerks-One set 10
transact business and make entries aud set
check their work.
The witness did not recall any special occurring
between the Auditors and Cashiers Offices. The Cashiers
clerks had temptations like those In any money office
but he explained the system Of checks which IL
practically impossible for them TO be In COLLISION with
other officers persons outside Of the Custom House
Since 1854 when he first became connected with the
Custom House, there had been discrepancies en-
1876 5000 missing according 20 the books. Ho
believe that the loss due 20 the system then
pursued, and that the money came into tbs
Cashiers Office. A method OF checking the cash had
been adopted which, he believed, would prevent
currence OF such mistake. full force IN the Cashiers
office comprised fifteen clerks. At present there was
vacancy. Most OF the clerks had been employed in
the Office for many They had not been affected
by political changes, IA 10 not safe 20 change the
men often. The force could not well DO reduced. In
August Ii 1873 entries passed, representing over
cumbersome and might be improved upon. Mr.. HOh-
man, In conclusion said he would put In writing statist
cal information and his views VI beneficial changes
which might be made.
John Osborn Deputy-Co OF the Third Division
was next called. He had charge OF all the warehouse
entries and Withdrawals and bonded and general order
goods The force In his department mad consider
ably reduced on the recommendation OF .he jay Com
mission AT present there were ory-soyFn clerks and
BeYeutytwO stOrekoepers All goods not claimed at the
end a year sent 10 the sOrehOuso In Soonest.
and sold All seized goods sold public auction,
under direction OF the law division. Regularly APP
pointed carriers carried goods TO general order
at the expense OF the owner OF the goods
officers yet they had To goods In store and n they
were collision with The stOrekecpers they could allow
goods to removed before tho duties paid. Gov
ernment locks always put the doors when tine
sUrckeeper left the premises The principal safeguard
against COLLISION between the stOrekeepcr and ths
house owner in the character OF the warehouse
owner Besides, the stOrckeepers changed about
frequently. He thought the Naval OfCe served very
useful purpose IN checking at leisure entries which at
first necessarily made In hurry. Mr. Osborn SAID
he at present making an examination TO see II his
working force could be reduced lar he found Op
pOrtunity Tor reduction.
Mr.. Wood adjourned at this point fiI this morning
not caring 70 proceed further alone In the investigation