New-York tribune., 1886-01-20
EFFORT TO CHECK CUSTOMS FRAUDS.
TEXT OF A BILL IN THB SENATE TO PREVENT UN-
DERvALUATioN.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Speciab.-Senator
Airich introduced bill in the Senate to-day to prevent
frauds m the customs by the differentiation Of
goods subject ad vaioem rate OF duty Under the
unsss the increased valuation OF an invoice
of duabe merchandise by the appraiser exceeds 10 per
cent of invoice valuation no penalty exscted and
the constant effort OF foreign manufacturers and import
ers is to keep within the limit so that in large number
of cases the increased valuation is sl2 o, 9 or 9A per
cent greater than the entered value.
Senator Adrich's bill contains provision that the
neualty shall begin the differentiation does, and
shall be per cent for cent OF undervaiu-
aton and tho appraised value shall exceed by 10 per
cent the entered value the merchandise or Its value
shall forfeited the United States One OF the worst
detects OF the present law is the lack OF proper means
Of ascertainng the actual value at the place OF manu-
fasture of goods wholly partly manufactured. ex-
clusi, ely consumption in the United States subject
TO ad yaorem rates Of duty and consigned agents,
partners ETC. the United States and not purchased
abroad ordinary course OF business MT Aldrchs
bill provides that in every such case the
appraiser shall ascertain the foreign or market
value nrst by ascertalDng the cost OF
nroducton at the time and place mentioned, Iucludng
cos. of materials and manufacture Incidental expenses
rents deterioration OF plant ana IN brlef al
such properly ehArgeab" To the cost OF
manufacture which sum an amount not less tnan 10
per cent shall he added on account OF manufact
IN er profit second the home value OF such goods
to 90 asccrtaDed by deducng from the wholesale cost
ia the United states dutiss and OF transporta
fion from the port OF expectation 10 the port of inporta
ton In 40 case shall tbs dutable value be placed At
sum than the OF production thus ascsrtaned
The bill also provides that II any owner, agent or
consignee shall attempt to make entry oy
means of a false consular certificate. false or
fraudulent other false document paper
OF any dutiable goods whether purchased or consigned
TO partner. or agent the Same or their Vaue sha Do
forfeited To ,ie United States
Another feature Of the bill 10 that so cent of the
money received from fnes penalties and forfeitnres
ehaI be set apart fund from which Board consist
ing OF the Secretary Of the Treasury and the Secretary Of
state shall pay awards, shall TO them seem Just and
TO such meritoriOus officers OF the Customs
and consular Service shall have detected attempted
fraudn upon the revenue. ana the Board shall make
yearly report 10 Congress-
proposed to repeal the 10th section OF the act OF
June 20, 1874, TO amend the customs laws
and repeal nIoleties and to provide that here
after. In all cases OF suits and informations
upon which seizures made the burden OF proof shall
be upon claimants for the property seized provided
probable for the prosecution shall be shown to the
kaiisacon Of courts There is some reason 10 be-
eye that these provisions will be favored By the Score
tary Of the Treasury.
The FINANCE Committee OF the Senate this morning
agreed 10 report amendment to Senator HOars
Iution already adopted looking to The Investigation OF
frauds In auation In tho Port OF NewYOrk Tho
enargcs scope of the resolution so 10
inciuda all ports tho country which the committee
may 1T To Investigate sub committee, consisting
Of Senators Allison. Aldrich, Miller Beck aud McPher-
son, selected to carry on the investigation.