New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-03
SOME LIVELY TALK BY IMPORTERS.
STORMY HEARING BEFORE THE QUARANTINE
COMMISSIONERS.


STORMY HEARING BEFORE THE QUARANTINE
COMMISSIONERS.
Such an array of rag importers and lawyers ap-
peared before the Quarantine Commissioners yes
terday TO state their grievances In regard TO en-
forced dlsinfection of rags arriving here from for
eign ports that the Commissioners had to
remove temporarily to more commodl-
Sssrns r Mas ct SS With STsaaT
by Commissioners Judd and adopted rev days
ago, that, it having been alleged In public prints
that so-called disinfecting company has and is
charging exorbitant rates for dsinfecting rags ar
irving IN Quarantine, the authors OF these state,
ments be invited to appear before the Board and
make known their grievances to the end That Tea-
sonabe charges for disnfecting may be fixed by
this Beard Mr.. Judd AYERS that section A. OF rule
20. of the laws of Quarantine, gives the Commits
sioners the authority to fix and determine upon
all charges at Quarantine.
Commissioner Platt presided, and on either side
OF HIM sat Commissioners Nichols and Judd
Twenty or thirty rag importing houses OF this city
and Boston were represented either directly or by
counsel, and at various periods OF the proceedings
there were spirited discussions. charges ana coun-
ter-charges, which required the voice OF the
chair 10 interrupt and moderate. Mr.. Bartlett, the
sole representative of the disnfectng company was
shrewd In meeting the attacks upon his company
and frequently pretended to answer the questions
put to him with regard to the cost and process OF
dlSlnfecti0n. but when he finished his listeners
were no better informed than before. Mr. Nc
Crea, representing Lockwood u McClintock, made
brief statement OF grievances, the principal OF
which was that the company was monopoly and
charged 80 for disinfecting ton OF rags, when ~
could DO done for 20 per cent OF that Mr.
Mchaeis frequently interrupted Mr. Bartlett IN his
answers and one of his first remarks was that lie
could show letters proving that the dIsinfectlng
process by superheated steam ruined the rags.
Mr. Bartett-On the contrary, | show lots Of
letters from paper mills showing that the steam process
Mr. Michaelis~Mr Bartlett should be made to answer
whether the dsnfecton cannot be done for tne
which 0tSllfcCteQ
rival.
Mr.. Blume. of Blume Brothers. SAID mot only
arc the chagres too Nigh but no expression IL sum-
Gent to denOunce the swindler. At Marseiles,
where IL is known tho highest port charges OF the
world are exaoted the rags are taken TO an island,
disinfected and landed at the warehouse at W 10
Mr. Bartlett asked If Mr. McCintock "can back
up what has been said that rags can be disinfected
at less than 81 ton I"
Mr. McClintock-I can.
Mr.. Bartlett-How do you knowl
Mr. McClintock-From common sense although there
mas not been display OF much OF IL mere
Mr. Bartlett Although the Commissioners of Quarar-
tine have not the right 10 fix the charges am willing TO
leave II to arbitration by them or by merchants OF sood
Mr. Mccrea-I don't want to submit 70 such decision
as son OF one OF the Commissioners Ont PlatO Is one OF
the counsel for Mr. Bartlett
Mr. Bartett-Is not true the firm dissolved yos-
Mr. McCrea-It Is ono of tho mlsfortunes that are
constantly running against connections.
Chairman Platt here called Mr. McCrea to order,
impugned the motive, of the Commissioners. 10
this blr. McCrea uttered n semi-apol0gy and said
that he had no desire TO cast any reflections upon
the Commission. Then an attempt was made TO
have Mr. Bartlett reveal the cost of the dlslniect-
ing companys plant aud some other secrets lie
sand: " l have been dislnfectng for thirty days,
and the average cost has been ~ 80 ton. | have
illwil against any competitor, and Will not OPP
pose any new company"
Commissioner JuddWil ron offer no obstacles to the
success OF any other company
Mr BARTLETT will hail the day OF the Introduction OF
one. and bid 10 godspeed. H. they attempt to steal my
patents will stop thon. These gentlemen who are AZ
lacking me- let them club together and buy my pant
and pay what II has cost.
u f. Ensteln for Do Castro Co.-what did the plant
cost
Mr Bartlett VIII not tell you.
Mr. Ensteiu-Wcll you want TO sell IT,
Mr. Bartlett-Make me an offer.
Mr. Warren, OF BOston-On what are tho expenses Tor
disnfecton, which you state as - 80 "A ton, based
Mr BARTLETT shall be glad 10 state IL TO the Commits
sion, but shall not answer you gentlemen why should
show the trade Of Boston now We In New-iork conduct
business
Mr. Einstein-Whsn wo 90 into court and get process
then will get TO the bottom or this, ana not unt
then. Mr. Bartlett. are not lighting you personally
but arc lighting the monopoly you represent
The assemblage then broke up In general disor-
der without deciding upon anything but as the
merchants and lawyers we're filing out Of the room.
Chairman Patt said that the Commissioners
would meet at p. m. to-day.