New-York tribune., 1878-10-12
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
DECISION IN THE KID-GLovE CASES
COLLECTOR MERRITT sUsTAINs THE REPORT OF
TUE 1FNPpAI AppP


COLLECTOR MERRITT sUsTAINs THE REPORT OF
THE GENERAL APPRAISER.
The investigation into the alleged under
valuation Of kid gloves by leading NewYork importers
has been concluded and yesterday Collector Merritt rem
dered his decision sustaining General Appraiser Ketchum
in his modified appraisal, and overrung the decision
OF the merchant appraisers IL this the invoices OF
three firms aud the evidence was used
Jointly in order to make test case The firms whose
consignmens involved tho recent decision were
A. T. Stewart Co., Wilmerdlng HOguet Co., and Iselin
Neeser & Co. The gloves iDvOiced at AZ francs.
The valuation based their value IN the FOREIGN
market. Appraiser butcher appraised them az oA
francs, and reappraisement was demanded. Mr. Con-
stable, OF Arnold, Constable Co, Mr.. Dunham' OF
Dunham, Buckley & Co., and Hugh Auchin-
Gloss, Of Hugh Auchlncloss & Co., were selected as
merchant appraisers, and together with General Ap-
praiser Ketchum. they conducted the investga-
ton. The merchants were represented by MI
Alexander. OF the law firm Of Alexander d
Green The taking Of testimony occupied sew
eral weeks, aid 1t covers about 400 pages OF
legal zap. The merchant appraisers agreed TO AZ
francs the proper market value Of the gloves, asn-
voiced The general appraiser first reported In favor
OF fixing tho valuation at 81 francs, but In
supplementary report be reduced the valuation to
40 francs advance OF about per cont the In
voice value, which carries penalty Of 20 per
cent addition TO duties legal brief was
submitted by Mr.. Alexander against the valuation
fixed by the general appraiser The Collector being
compelled. where there is dispute on values between
the general appraiser and the merchant appraisers TO
settle the question by selecting one OF the reports sub
mitted, has sustained the report OF the former.
Collector Merritt said yesterday that under the IN
strucons Of the Treasury Department values OF Inn
ported merchandise are to be fixed on the
basls OF sales in the European markets,
and that where any special line OF goods has no hxed
value abroad the valuation IS 10 be determined Dy the
value OF goods OF similar quality ll this case the Alex
andre glove, which is an article OF exclusive
importation and manufacture, was placed ON
IN determining market value.
1t was stated at the Custom House yesterday that kid
gloves OF The total value OF half million dollars have
been held in hand awaiting the decision II is claimed
that there no appeal from Collector Merrtts decision
arbitration bV ' tho appraisers 1t Is admitted
slat the Question can and probably WIN O., 90
ing that they have been deeply injured and their trade
crippled by the decision Of the general appraiser. .
ns The otsG made Of 5H o s 4 the na qaes sa
Ia the first case the general 81, appraiser sad 6
VaSg the RSs 24S peer cent above fF the
value carryinga penalty and the merchant appraiser
penalty. In TINS Collector Arthur sustained the
qapprasemcnt of General Appraiser KetcnTm Col Col;
ali Of the voiumnous evidence taken before the ap
pralsers and he could not see how the general ap-
importers affected by this decision wore Wilmerding
Hoguet Co., A. I. Stewart 4 Co.. lsein, Neeser q Co..
ana Otnefs.
The secoud case was recent and affected A. T. Stewart
& Co. and other firms The general appraiser and
value and the Collector not therefore called
upon to render decision.
The question or alleged undervau in kid glove
mpOrtaOns beeu before several customs nvestlga
Ing committees, and, IL IL claimed by Ne"-fOrk lm-
DOIters, grew ont OF charges mahe by mer-
chants Of Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago, who did
not possess sufficient capital TO compete successfully
ment to fix a value on KID gloves according TO prices
ruling here or on the market value abroad of much dt-
ferent goods Is contested by importers who insist that
they have done no wrong fixing values and that their
past record aiding the Government s proof that they
would not deprive II OF Its just revenue