New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-25
INSPECTION OF BRITISH SHIPS
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY SAYS TUE NEW
LAW Is ENFORCED LENIENrLY.

LAW IL ENFORCED LENIsNrLY.
WASHINGTON, July 24.-The Secretary of the
Tre,snry has addressed a letter the Secretary Of
State IN reply 10 communication from the British Min
lister at Washington stating complaints oy owners OF
British steamships carrying emgrant passengers be
tween the United kingdom and this country, OF tie
enience of certain regulations for tho inspection
and survey OF vessels Two classes OF complaints
are made First OF the regulations for berthing accom-
modafions sanitary Arrangements and food for emil
grant passengers under the act TO regulate the carriage
OF passengers by sea" approved August lss2i snd
secoad harhPs to British ships under the inspection
laws OF the United States, under the act OF Congress a
proved August Z. 1882
The Secretary of the Treasury says In his letter: The
special cause OF complaint under tive last Is that while
American steamships have been exempted from survey
and the American certificate OF inspection accepted by
the British Board OF Trade as evidence OF their con-
don IA distinction conferred UPON the Board by sev-
ton % OF the Merchant Shipping act OF 1s76, the
American surveyors Especial inspectors o. foreign steam
donot give the same effect 10 the certificate Of
the BOARD OF Trade. The British Merchant Shipping
net OF 1870 conIers upon the British Board o. Trade
discretionary power exempt from survey vessels OF
other naoDs upon satisfactory proof verified by the
British Consul, that such vessels have been surveyed
under the laws OF their country. The act Of Con-
gre.s above cited does not give like discretion There
Ia however discretion lodged with the secretary OF the
Treasury to make regulations for the guidance VI the
In The exercise OF this discretion and In view OF the
courtesy extended Ia American steam vessels by the
Board OF Trade DESTROYS OF reeproeatng 80 Tar US lies
In iny power ny n special proViso IN rule L. gave 10
British vessels substance the exemptions granted 10
steamship lines by the British Board OF Trade
The Board Trade yielded 10 a suggestion or the
AGENTS Of the American line expressed rs follows: ..
You Will readily that we wish on behalf OF the
cnpany 10 avoid the expense OF docking their steam
era bo In America and here Rule says, PROVIDED,
however that such docSlng may be- omitted upon salts
factory evidence that the vessel has been docked within
the previous twelve MONTHS under the direction of the
underwriters OF the agent or officers OF any foreign
government authorized by law 90 make examinations
as TO the condition of the bulls OF steam vessels. Act
ting undcr this prOvisD, steam vessels inspected here
between April /. 1883 (when the law was pat into ac-
five operatlOn aud June 80 have been exempted from
dooknge during the months Of the active opera
ton OF our laws Steamers found deficient allowed
TO clear Notwithstanding tho law, To the benefit OF I've
owners. $3.50.
Again. the regulations OF the Board OF Trade for life
boats have been adopted bodily so that the American
survey or inspection with the exception OF few art
ces watch are required By the Board OF Trade Is
hut the means certhcHtion that the ship her boiler
machinery and -ssving equipments no less safe
than when the certificate of the British Board OF Trade
was granted 1t Is the purpose OF this Department to
execute foreign steamship laws with such moder-
alton a. due consideration OF the law Will authorize
The carriage OF emigrant passengers Will be made the
subject Of a separate communication"