The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-24
THE CUSTOMS SERVICE.
CHANGE IN THE MODE OF COLLECTING THE
REVENUE DEMANDED-THE PRESENT SYSTEM

A CHANGE IN THE MODE OF COLLECTING THE
REVENUE DEMANDED-rHE PRESENT SYSTEM
OF LEvYING DUTIES CONDEMNED.
Messrs Jackson S. schultz, Daniel G. Robbins and
Thomas Barbour last October appointed spe-
cial committee the subject OF reforms in the
customs service" and 'home market valuation in
lieu of the present methods of determining duti-
able value" This committee made its report at the
last meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in De-
cember. the essential points of which were pub
iished at the time. The new plan contempates name
and classification of the merchandise, the port or
country from which the goods are received. the
marks and numbers of the cases. with an
accurate descriptive list of the contents of each
the estimated cash valuation at either of the
five principal ports of entry-viz.. Boeton. New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Orleans. On
receiving such invoices with detailed information.
the Collector of the Port shall direct examination
and estimate Of value; and if his estimate shall ma
teriay vary from that of the importer consignee
of the goods merchandise. then it shall be OPP
tonal with him, under the direction of the Secretary
of the Treasury to take said invoice for account of
the government at the invoiced price, adding such
commission As the act may provide. which may vary
from to 10 per cent, depending upon the character
OF the merchandise.
The advantages claimed under this system the
committee claims to be as follows:-
FrsThe importer will be obliged to disclose as
goods Under the this seems nqusitoral
SecondIt places sbiity of asceaining duti
abe yans upon parties snoa know this
will require the services of experts the most practical and
Fo.M-All delay and disputes would between the
IN and the since the mt
enforcing nds Its penalties .,. - .,.. as...,
fusion between merchant and appraiser
REASON FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGE
For the consideration of this report special
session of tho Chamber of Commerce was held yester
than the xenorah pnts Mr. samuel Ra
cock, the President, occupied the chair.
Mr. ho S Schultz with b
Chamber, at his request. read to those present. In
this document he says
When goods shipped owners or manufacturers ac-
count to be sold commission here, then the duabe
value is to be determined by the actual market value the
such price less than market value the of
IN Se H ali
and real
Mr.. Schultz continued
That the rich and poor indiscrimnately the consnm
viii never be tolerated For ease and uniformity in col
This may be Illustrated by the proposed specific duty on
pound is imposed all sugars it will amount to burden
some tax on the sugars Of the poor and comparatively
inaton in gloves drive the all inferior
Of ST SPECIFIC s % h a
yard the specific duty yard those cost
ing ~
Your committed impressed with this view of the subject
have concluded that all foreign merchandise should be adj
med I'D valorem vnnaton and this valuation
he made by the importer based on the Wholesale
home market value
The or owner must present full descriptive
estimate its cash market value lie withhold all
information except such will aid the examiner in deter
withhold the trademark by which the goods recognized
in the market for it is intrinsic values that the
men has right to levy dues,not on extrinsc These
like merchandise.
SOME DIFFICULTIES.
Mr.. Schultz s remarks closed-
Your committee have entered into the detail prov
sons regulations that would required put
Whether the commissions allowed the importer his
estimate of market value should be five per
like sugar and iron. should judge that five cent
would be proper; If fancy - goods. like gloves and
Of estimating and allowing for damage would
be of those detail questions that could hardly
be & in s thu" s %
this would be far less than at present With the
single exception OF the Appraisers Department should
The examiners and appraisers woud require he OF
the highest standing and experience But al We seek will
be accomplished II we direct attention to this reform
practical measure All matters OF detail we'll be leh
to Congress and the Secretary Of the Treasury.
MIR. Isaac s. Phillips contended that specific duties
were to be abolished altogether. judging from Mr..
Schulzs remarks; but many would he of the opinion
that specific duties should be adhered to in all
where they could be properly maintained. As tor
reduction OF the force needed to collect the revenue,
is claimed by the new method of obtaining duties,
members Of Congress would object thereto, 1t
would diminish their patronage Messrs. Robbins,
Lamarche and Others spoke at length on the subject
each one adducing examples from individual expe-
rience. vote then taken. the report of the
committee adopted and the meeting adjourned.