New-York tribune., 1879-01-03
REFORM Nv CUSTOMS SERVICE.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DISCUSSIONS.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DISCUSSIONS.
! 4 NEW PLAN FOR IMPROVING THE CUSTOMS SER
vICR-FURTuER RESOLUTIONS ON SUGAR ADCL-
TrEATIONs.
At the meeting Of the Chamber of Com
merce yesterday. s. -. BibcOck ia the chair, Thomas
Barbour OF the Special Committee on Reforms in
the Customs Service, made q report Recommend
ing in lieu Of the present methods OF as
ccrtaning "Gutiable yalue." the substitution
Of ''home valuation" The committee thought that the
administrative machinery necessary TO this sys-
TEN INTO effect would be far less complicated and much
more satisfactory in its results than the present system
The new plan conempates that the importer shall pre-
sent the Collector an accurate descriptive invoice OF
his goods
chandse. The port country from Whi9h the goods
received The marks and numbers OF the eases IA
estimated cash valuation al either of ir i've principal
ports Of entry. viz: Boston, Ncw-YOrk Philadelphia,
Baltimore aud Ncw-Orlrans.
ON receiving such invoice. with such detailed inior-
nation in addition to the above as the Secretary OF the
Treasury require, the Collector Of the Port shall
direct examination ard estimate at value; and II his
climate sha materially yalv from that of me importer
or c0nsIgnec Of the goods or merchandise then IL shall
optional with him. under the direction Of the Sccre
tarv of hp Treasury To take said invoice for the ac-
count of the Government at the invoice price, adding
such commission - the act may provide which may
vary from to 10 per CENT depending upon the charac
ter Of the merchandise
without experience Of course. II Is difficult to inl
cate al the details But the committee venture To sig
gest that there should he established IN the Treasury
Department an account "ith "i9ii-lturcT MI goods
or mrrcnandsc taken by tie Government shnu Il be
paid and charged 10 this account and all procrcds
of sales goods should nc credited Thus at the cud
of each fiscal year the net results of the forfeiture
account " would be known. and according a5 this
account resulted f'oray or otherwise for the Govern
mput would the intelligence and efficiency Of the Ad-
minstratiou b" regarded lhe goods and merchandise
takcnDy the Government should br sold AT auction
for cash. within thirty DAYS from lime cofs Z1re Within
FIVE days after sale the importer should be credited and
paid the amount OF his invoice, with interest and com
mission provided.
some of the advantages Of this system follows :
Tine importer Will not be Obliged ~ disclose, now
hrs goods Tnder the present system. this
seems inqu ,itorlll, ana often leads TO loss Of
trade II places the RESPONSIBILITY Of aScert9nlng
dutlahlc value upon parties VINO should know.
The Appraisers Department under thiS system, Will
qure the services OF experts thc lost prlcuSa ana
efficient obtnuable. All delay aud disputes would cease
between the merchants and the Government since the
Government would be furnished with direct and re-
sponsIbc mcIlod Of enforcing lIs prnalts No amend
niut invoices, offered. SbOuld De permit
ted thus shutting on all possibility oi coAuslOn bet" eA
merchant ana appraiser.
The committee also gave review Of its work during
the wear pasi before the Jay Commission and the Com
mttco Of WAYS aud Means Of the House OF Representa-
lives In matters relating TO the Customs Service. Until
within q few days members Of the committee had ex-
pected TO appcar before the latter committee to the
passage of a bill which should either extensively modify
the present law, substitute altogether new one
regulating the importation OF foreign mcrchan-
disc; hut especially to establish better methods
OF "dutlable value" This course OF action
they thought present. for the reason that dur
ng this and busy there will not DE time
enough pass these reform measures and n the next
Congress Will be Obliged to reconstruct the COmmttee OF
Ways aud Means they thought better Ia defer the sub
icci until then At the suggestion OF ID. G. Robbins the
rrpurt Of the committee lad Tor consideration
at a sprCIai meeting January -.
The report the sugar unay sesof Professor Cand-
Ter. of the Board of Health, submitted. These
have Already been published in TuE TEIEt NJ Hugh
Camp submitted resolution calling upon the Board
to furnish the Chamber from time 90 time analyses Of
sugor the OF the Teincrs. l.. h. IhuTbcF
| fltf fol, a. . -tI-
| luton: -. go
soIred That the thanks Of the Chamber Of Commerce
are hereby rendered 10 the Board Ot Health for lis
promp e. the resolutions of the Chamber rca-
dive 10 sugar aduCrJuOn>, and that the Secretary Dr
rcuursrd communicate with the Board, asking
for sucn further information II be aDlo 10 GHo
| particulars of the examination upon
| which the report of the Board Wa-
| founded; surh the sILe Ot the glOhule OF
] metal mentioned huylng been extracted 1rom
one sample also the names OF retDrrs wnOsr products
res ponsIby OF any aduiteritOn ne placed here
il he ongs ana those reners who have not prBcscd in
| furious adultcrdun may Dc relieved frun TIE Odlum
attached thereto Also The opinion OF the Board rs 80
the relative WLOcsuneDe>s ut raw sugar and New uth
refined sugars generally, and whfthrr IA the judgment
of the Board there sufficient caufc to Justify apprehr n
sion part uf thc pubC OF al effects arising from
| the use Of refined sugars.
| TINS was adopted. 4 resolution to reconsider the
York Antwerp rules Oi general average, at "a subSo
| quent meeting, was also adopted.
| -----------------
q III. =